The Names We Gave Him
Book & Lyrics by Ellen McLaughlin
Music, Orchestrations & Vocal Arrangements by Peter Foley
Inspired by true events, The Names We Gave Him tells the haunting story of a French soldier who returns from the First World War with no memory and no name. As his doctor works with him to recover his memory and identity, truth and longing collide when dozens of women, in denial of their grief, claim him as their missing beloved. With a sweeping, emotionally charged score and powerful choral writing, this new music-theater work explores the agony of war for the soldiers and the families they left behind, the distorting power of loss, and the insistence of love. What remains of a country after such devastation? What is a self without memory?
“Inspired... revelatory... his masterpiece.” — ADAM GOPNIK, The New Yorker
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Full-length musical, drama
Cast: 16 (8f, 8m + optional additional chorus)
Minimum cast with doubling: 5f, 6m. Strong leading and featured roles for men and women.
Musicians: 8
Keyboard/Conductor; Reed 1 (Clarinet/Flute); Reed 2 (Bass Clarinet/Clarinet/Alto Sax); Reed 3 (Bassoon); Horn; Violin; Cello; Percussion
Performances & Workshops
New Works Initiative, Montclair State University (full production), dir. Lisa Rothe, 2021
The Public Theater (two workshops), dir. Daniel Kramer, 2015
The Public Theater, PublicLAB (reading), dir. Michael Greif, 2010
Highlights from the Score
Praise
“Inspired...revelatory...his masterpiece.” — ADAM GOPNIK, The New Yorker
“You can see in [Foley’s] harmonies and rhythms all of these sides to his talent... 'Yellow Field', a rapturous duet sung by the dying amnesiac and his great love...is beyond moving.” —JEREMY CHAPMAN, Musical Theatre Review
“I cannot overstate how much I love the song ‘Yellow Field.’ Certain composers make it feel so natural how the lyrics fit into the music...and this is a great example of that.” —KYLE MARSHALL, Putting It Together
Awards & Residencies
Commission, The Public Theater
Richard Rodgers Award Finalist
Sundance Institute Playwrights Retreat at UCross
Perusals & Licensing
Complete demo recordings and script are available for perusal. The Names We Gave Him is orchestrated and available for licensing. Please direct inquiries here.
The Names We Gave Him was developed with support from the Shen Family Foundation, The Public Theater, Montclair State University College of the Arts New Works Initiative, the Sundance Institute, Hedgebrook, Arena Stage, and the Women Playwrights Festival.