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TWO TRUE STORIES OF LOVE, LIFE, LIVING & GIVING
The Author.
Where do you start? Ken’s backstory?
Ken Sutherland at Carnegie Mellon plays varsity football and tennis; is president of his fraternity, leads jazz and dance bands. Earns his MBA in marketing. Works for legendary ad man, David Ogilvy. Writes music for commercials. Becomes a Hollywood composer/songwriter for feature films and documentaries. Also is a commissioned artist, winning awards in both fields. His showcase: a10,000 square foot mural - A Community in Harmony- is the largest work of public art in North Texas. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Sutherland
Or Ken’s current story?
Ken Sutherland has Parkinson’s disease. He’s unable to toss a ball with his grandson, hold a paintbrush, or create commissions at the piano. No longer able to earn a living, his wife, a minister, now holds two jobs to support them. Yet, Ken soldiers on, fighting for control, fighting for his life and his lifelong dream, to see his play, Lippi, The Musical, come to the stage. And it deserves it. Lippi– for Ken – is where art and music meet.
Production History.
Lippi had staged reads with standing ovations in Dallas and New York. Now The York Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 organization, renowned for discovering new musical works, has selected Lippi for its Developmental Lab. The pre-production budget is $50,000 and worth it. The York will stage performances for producers and backers connected to New York and regional theatres.
The Play.
Lippi, the Musical (aka Renaissance Man) is based on a true love story. In Florence, Italy, 1455, it’s the dawn of the Renaissance. Fra Lippo Lippi, orphaned to a Monastery, is an indentured Friar, though gifted artist, whose love of art is exceed only by his lust for wine and women. He pays for both with commissions for work he has yet to complete.
One drunken night he defaces a Prince’s fresco and is consequently confined to a monastery, next to a convent. There he finally sees the “Madonna” of his dreams, Lucrezia. Ironically, she has chosen Religious orders over an arranged marriage to the same Prince. She and Lippi fall in love. She becomes pregnant. He is charged with crimes against the Church. The Pope must choose Lippi’s fate: forgiveness or death?
Lippi, The Musical delivers an unblinking honesty that is even timelier today. Audiences relate to the choices vs. consequences. Lippi balances drama and political intrigue with humor and the transformational power of love
The problem: Ken has to raise the money. Given his situation, he needs help. He needs people who love the American musical theatre and want him to fight the good fight. You will be more than a donor. You will bring this artist’s journey to the American stage. Please contribute. Every donor makes a difference.
Other ways you can help: Sometimes you can’t contribute money. But you can help get the word out. Please look at the website, listen to the music clips and share this opportunity with everyone you know. The website is The Lippi Musical http://www.lippimusical.com
Thank you. For so many reasons.
The Author.
Where do you start? Ken’s backstory?
Ken Sutherland at Carnegie Mellon plays varsity football and tennis; is president of his fraternity, leads jazz and dance bands. Earns his MBA in marketing. Works for legendary ad man, David Ogilvy. Writes music for commercials. Becomes a Hollywood composer/songwriter for feature films and documentaries. Also is a commissioned artist, winning awards in both fields. His showcase: a10,000 square foot mural - A Community in Harmony- is the largest work of public art in North Texas. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Sutherland
Or Ken’s current story?
Ken Sutherland has Parkinson’s disease. He’s unable to toss a ball with his grandson, hold a paintbrush, or create commissions at the piano. No longer able to earn a living, his wife, a minister, now holds two jobs to support them. Yet, Ken soldiers on, fighting for control, fighting for his life and his lifelong dream, to see his play, Lippi, The Musical, come to the stage. And it deserves it. Lippi– for Ken – is where art and music meet.
Production History.
Lippi had staged reads with standing ovations in Dallas and New York. Now The York Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 organization, renowned for discovering new musical works, has selected Lippi for its Developmental Lab. The pre-production budget is $50,000 and worth it. The York will stage performances for producers and backers connected to New York and regional theatres.
The Play.
Lippi, the Musical (aka Renaissance Man) is based on a true love story. In Florence, Italy, 1455, it’s the dawn of the Renaissance. Fra Lippo Lippi, orphaned to a Monastery, is an indentured Friar, though gifted artist, whose love of art is exceed only by his lust for wine and women. He pays for both with commissions for work he has yet to complete.
One drunken night he defaces a Prince’s fresco and is consequently confined to a monastery, next to a convent. There he finally sees the “Madonna” of his dreams, Lucrezia. Ironically, she has chosen Religious orders over an arranged marriage to the same Prince. She and Lippi fall in love. She becomes pregnant. He is charged with crimes against the Church. The Pope must choose Lippi’s fate: forgiveness or death?
Lippi, The Musical delivers an unblinking honesty that is even timelier today. Audiences relate to the choices vs. consequences. Lippi balances drama and political intrigue with humor and the transformational power of love
The problem: Ken has to raise the money. Given his situation, he needs help. He needs people who love the American musical theatre and want him to fight the good fight. You will be more than a donor. You will bring this artist’s journey to the American stage. Please contribute. Every donor makes a difference.
Other ways you can help: Sometimes you can’t contribute money. But you can help get the word out. Please look at the website, listen to the music clips and share this opportunity with everyone you know. The website is The Lippi Musical http://www.lippimusical.com
Thank you. For so many reasons.