An American Love Story
“Triumphant! A work of surprising visceral force.”
(Chicago Sun Times)
A shy, insecure young aristocrat emerges as a compelling champion of the downtrodden. The tumultuous story of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt, set in a bittersweet world of romance, infidelity and politics.
A shy, insecure young aristocrat emerges as a compelling champion of the downtrodden. The tumultuous story of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt, set in a bittersweet world of romance, infidelity and politics.
ELEANOR - An American Love Story chronicles the remarkable journey of the shy, insecure aristocrat who was destined to become First Lady of the World. Warmth, humor and insight inform the evolving relationship between young Eleanor and Franklin, their passionate courtship, tumultuous marriage and the courage that eventually lead to Eleanor's emergence as a compelling catalyst for social change. By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, the lush score, thoughtful lyrics and moving book make ELEANOR an uplifting celebration of the American spirit.
The Musical
About Recent Productions
ELEANOR played at Pennsylvania’s Media Theater Jan 29 to Feb 23, 2020. The theater is located west of Philadelphia at 104 East State Street, Media, PA 19063
SOME MEDIA AUDIENCE REVIEWS...
"I thought the show was fantastic! Great story told and great casting on the leads as the performances really drew you into the events. Would recommend this show to anyone who enjoys history, theater, or enlightenment." (Rob Motlasz)
"This play was so beautiful! The cast and music were awesome! Left with a huge smile and wanting to learn more about Eleanor!" (Goldstar Member)
"Loved the show. The actors were great. Kudos to a great story. The music was fun and I loved the whole program."
(Jeanette Miller)
Concert by Ford’s Theatre cast
Excerpts at the annual First Lady’s Luncheon, Congressional Club, Washington, DC – with Anne Kanengeiser as Eleanor, Anthony Cummings as Franklin, Steve Routman as Louis Howe and Rita Gardner as Sara Roosevelt. (Not in costume)
Scenes from the Los Angeles production at the Carpenter Theatre, La Mirada, CA – with Victoria Strong as Eleanor, Anthony Cummings as Franklin. Directed by John Henry Davis.
Musical Theatre West
Songs from the Ford's Theatre Original Cast Album
"A rare and intelligent musical … I was motivated to obtain a copy of the CD and loved every moment of it. The lyrics and what spoken parts of the book can be heard are quite intelligent (oh rare bird on earth!) and one feels really involved with these people… I want theater groups to take notice… you must hear this set."
-Entertainment Times
Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire
Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire
Chicago IL
Chicago IL
"Triumphant ... a work of surprising visceral force. A potent profile in courage ... deftly drawn. What musicals do best is explore the emotional life of characters ... it is in this area that Eleanor is most triumphant. As it moves on to anatomize the Roosevelts' deeply problematic marriage and the political whirlwind that spun around it, Eleanor takes off, climaxing with 'If We Go On,' a song of gripping provisional reconciliation."
- Chicago Sun Times
"Eleanor ... fits the mold for a heroine of today. The show races in big dramatic leaps ... closes with Eleanor triumphant, having put fresh resolve in her polio-stricken husband's political career and, more importantly, having asserted herself as a free spirit."
- Chicago Tribune
"A literate, entertaining show. The standing ovation on opening night will be a ritual for the entire run."
- Copley News
Ford's Theatre
Ford's Theatre
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
"'Love Story' rings, sings true ... The ELEANOR book, written by Jonathan Bolt, is a beautifully realized dramatic piece that explores the hidden heart and soul of the young Eleanor. The author has an eye for psychological detail and a poet's command of dialogue. John Forster's lyrics have a silvery, shimmering beauty, like the haunting melodies that composer Thomas Tierney has woven into this dramatic tale. One knows the show is home free when the audience begins to applaud dramatic scenes as well as the musical numbers."
- The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)
"The perfect musical ... ELEANOR - An American Love Story is satisfying as theater in itself. With lovely music, beautiful voices, engaging performances, this musical taps into the spirit that is truly American. Each song and plot episode is intricately intertwined so that the story progresses quickly with a sense of sustained energy."
-The Journal
"I loved it! ... a play for the turn of the century ... for people to understand and appreciate. There's so much there. I can't wait for you to get into the Ford's Theatre to see this. It's just wonderful!"
-WAMU, National Public Radio
Musical Theatre West
Musical Theatre West
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
"That rarity of rarities -- an intelligent musical. It's proof that treating serious subjects seriously, even in a musical, can yield miraculous results. The right combination of story, songs and characters... emerges as part slice of history, part character study, and an object lesson for anyone interested in seeing a musical in which the songs are well-written and an integral part of the show. A narrative line that follows history, telling an intimately personal story, and presenting a cadre of songs that delineate character and propel the story. A slice of Americana made highly palatable through superb craft, intelligence and attention to minute detail. Eleanor and 'Eleanor' -a match made in heaven."
-The Orange County Register
"Eleanor gives hope for the future of the American musical theatre. An exuberant celebration of a remarkable woman and her life. Thomas Tierney's music recalls the turn of the century with upbeat, ragtime rhythms ("The New Century Walk"/"Fun") while also providing some lovely melodies for the ballads/anthems that lyricist John Forster creates ("Running Before the Wind"/"If We Go On"). There is more than one love story shown in Jonathan Bolt's book... Bolt shows Franklin's love of politics and Eleanor's love for the downtrodden, and reminds us of America's love for the four-term President and his very active First Lady."
- It's Showtime (Critic's Choice)
"A lavish, uplifting production... that winningly celebrates the successes and hardships experienced by America's true First Lady. Delivered with warmth and creativity by Musical Theatre West, Eleanor - An American Love Story, offers a musical tribute to that richness and to the courage and charm that defined Eleanor's character. Together, lyricist John Forster, composer Thomas Tierney, and book writer Jonathan Bolt have woven a tightly knit chronicle with a clever mix of humor and poignant emotion... a delightful illustration of Eleanor's bittersweet and captivating life story."
- Back Stage West (Critic's Picks)
Village Theatre (in Issaquah)
Village Theatre (in Issaquah)
Seattle
Seattle
"A quality tribute to First Lady ... has warmth, humor, wisdom and some darned catch tunes to boot. Politics takes a back seat to the personal in this story of the young Eleanor and her evolving relationship with her cousin Franklin, whose interest in the shy Eleanor led to their marriage, eventually bringing her into the national spotlight. Tierney, Forster and Bolt's Eleanor is a fitting tribute to her memory."
-The Seattle Press
"The show is stirring. The production blends humor, pathos, high spirits, misfortune, history, fiction, passion and ideas... the mix accumulates real power. Thomas Tierney's tunes do the job... 'New Century Walk' has that early 1900s Tin Pan Alley throwaway sound. A lovely sailboating song 'Running Before the Wind' has metaphorical implications that are both erotic and ideological."
- Seattle Post Intelligencer
"A bright, sprightly entertainment... that lives for the moment. The show gives Eleanor flesh and blood, and a few fancy dance steps to boot."
- The Seattle Times
Critics' praise for the musical
Critics' praise for the musical
PHOTO CREDITS - Ford'sTheatre - Stan Barouh; Village Theatre - Chris Bennion
Thomas composed the music for NARNIA, based on C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, which played in The City of London Festival, Off-Broadway in NYC and in more than 1000 productions worldwide. He wrote music and lyrics for Jungle Queen Debutante, produced for New York’s NYMF Festival and by Seattle’s Village Theatre. He wrote several songs for Off-Broadway’s Pets! and the music for The Dream Team (Goodspeed Opera) and Tommy Tune’s one-man musical Ichabod (Boston and New York). ELEANOR - An American Love Story has played in many US theatres, including Washington’s Ford’s Theatre and Pittsburgh Public Theatre. His musical The Year of Living Dangerously, based on the novel that became the popular film, was presented in concert at Feinstein’s/ 54 Below in NYC in 2017. Other projects are Diamond and the North Wind, based on the classic novel At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald and A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, based on the novel by NY Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber. His young audience musicals include The Fabulous Fable Factory, and six that were commissioned by Theatreworks/USA, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which completed its 25thseason in 2016). Five of his shows are published by Dramatic Publishing and for television, he wrote scores for NBC's Emmy Award-winning series Unicorn Tales, and the theme music for We Remember Eleanor, narrated by Margaret Truman Daniels. His many songs for corporate events include AT&T’s theme song for Disney’s EPCOT Center. He has performed his own music at New York’s Lincoln Center and at the White House, has won numerous ASCAP awards and is a member of The Dramatist’s Guild and the NY Television Academy, for which he has served on the Board of Governors. www.ThomasTierney.com
Jonathan’s first play, Threads, premiered at New York City's famed Circle Repertory Company. To Culebra and The Whore and h’Empress premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville. His experience directing a Communist Bulgarian theater company led to his romantic comedy, Oh! Dubrovnik! He is the book author of the musical Glimmerglass, produced at the Goodspeed Opera House and of six plays and musicals produced by Theatreworks USA, America’s largest producer of theatre for young audiences. He made his professional acting debut in the Broadway production of Look Homeward, Angel and has since appeared on and off-Broadway, on television and in films. In addition, he has worked extensively at major regional theaters around the country, playing leading roles in more than 100 productions and directing over 30, including premieres by Arthur Miller, Edward Bond and Paul Zindel. In addition, he is a principal director at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and head of the third year production company. He is a recipient of grants from the New York State Creative Artist, Program, the Pilgrim Project, the Berilla Kerr Award and a New York Drama League Award for Playwriting.
Jonathan Bolt (book)
Thomas Tierney (music)
John Forster (lyrics)
Singer/songwriter, playwright & humorist JOHN FORSTER is a 4-time Grammy nominee whose musicals have played on Broadway and Off, throughout the world and out in space--where his song “This Pretty Planet” was used as the astronaut wake-up on John Glenn’s last mission. His theater pieces include the perennial How To Eat Like A Child, as well as book & lyrics for Freaky Friday and lyrics for Into the Light on Broadway. In addition to Eleanor: An American Love Story, John’s other shows include Mariel (at Cincinnati Playhouse), Both Barrels, Pretzels (both Off Broadway), For All That (Center Stage in Seattle) and many touring musicals for TheaterWorks/USA. Other scores and sound designs include Bill Irwin’s The Happiness Lecture and NPR’s recent radio A Christmas Carol starring Kathleen Turner. His songs have been recorded by Faith Hill, Judy Collins, Rosanne Cash, Christine Lavin, Dave Van Ronk among many others. NPR’s “Morning Edition” has featured his wicked comedy songs, now collected on the CD Broadsides, a duet album with Tom Chapin. Among his bright, sassy recordings for children are Family Tree, Brother For Sale and over a dozen other CDs and videos. He co-authored the The BSAT Official Study Guide, an extremely rude parody of the SAT test, as well as two recent children’s books put out by Simon & Schuster. John’s satirical debut album Entering Marion (Rounder Records) garnered a 1994 Indie Award for Best Comedy album. His live act at the piano is a one-man comic tour de force that prompted legendary satirist Tom Lehrer to remark, “You don’t need me anymore. Now you’ve got John Forster to kick around.” For more info visit: www.johnforster.com
About the Authors
Licensing Information
ELEANOR - An American Love Story is available in two versions:
15+ Actors in 2 Acts
9+ Actors in 2 Acts
Orchestrated for 7 musicians
Amateur and Professional rights and all authorized performance materials are exclusively supplied by Concord Theatricals.