Job and the Snake

Job and the Snake
Music Miq and Mann Munoz
Lyrics Roberto Munoz
Book Roberto Munoz
Productions 1994-5 Niagara Workshop
1995-6 Toronto Showcase
2000 Los Angeles Showcase
2004 Off-Broadway Production

Job and the Snake is a musical with music and lyrics by Miq and Mann Munoz, in collaboration with Roberto Munoz. The story is based on the classic story of Job. Written in 1994, Job and the Snake has been workshopped and showcased on stages ranging from Toronto to Los Angeles to New York City.

Inception and development

The idea of writing a musical was launched after the song Heartbeat, written by brothers Miq and Mann Munoz in 1992, nearly landed a recording contract with an MCA affiliate. This song led them to experiment with the idea of doing a musical. While studying the book of Job at Brock University in 1994, they were inspired by the classic tale and encouraged by the department head of Liberal Studies, Prof. Gordon Coggins. They wrote the musical primarily over the winter break. Then, with the help of Roberto Munoz, the brothers enlisted the aid of local Niagara-area actors and launched a successful tour of the Canadian Niagara Peninsula (1994-1995).[1] The musical featured Lee Siegel in the role of Job, who has since gone on to perform in the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.[2] Then in 1995, they moved operations to Toronto where they workshopped and showcased the musical. They staged Job and the Snake at their own workshop theatre space and with occasional runs at Canada's National Ballet School Theatre.[3] The 1996 Toronto showcase featured William Darcangelo as Job, Kevin Connelly as Satan, and Melissa McIntyre, of Degrassi: The Next Generation, in the role of Elihu.

In 2000, they ventured south of the Canada–US border and expanded their operations to Los Angeles, California.[4] Their successful run of Job and the Snake at the Grove Theatre (the home theatre of the comedian Sam Kinison) convinced them to try New York City. In March 2001, they staged another of their musicals, Purim Day, before returning to Job and the Snake. They decided to stage Job and the Snake for the ten year anniversary for an Off-Broadway run, starring Troy curtis, of Menudo fame, in the role of Job (credited as Troy Kurtis).

Plot

The classic story of a righteous man trapped between good and evil. The story is set in motion when Satan claims Job’s virtue is the mere superficial payoff for God’s favor. In the ensuing contest, Satan obtains celestial permission to deprive Job of his earthly possessions and health. Now Job must deal with the betrayal of his wife and his fair-weather friends. In the end, Job is addressed by the mysterious Elihu before he is vindicated by the Divine voice that speaks out of the powerful Whirlwind.

Act I

The story begins with the prologue Heartbeat. Life is good for Job. He has a big house with lots of servants (Servants' Swing). Enter Job's Wife (Tranquility). The celebration of Job's children (Party Time) soon deteriorates into a Devils' Dance. The next morning, Job intercedes for his children (Rise Up). This brings us to the Court of Heaven where Satan insists that Job's virtuous life is only a payback for his earthly prosperity. Satan obtains permission to rob Job of his riches, children, and health (Serpent Song I and II). Job mourns his loss (Job's Lament). Three of Job's friends express the mistaken conviction that Job is getting what he deserves. Job expresses a death wish (I Curse the Day). Finally, Satan sways Job's Wife to betray her husband and urge him to Curse God and Die.

Act II

Job's Comforters, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, mourn in silence while Job lies nearby in misery (Mourners' Dirge). Job, on trial to determine the cause of his punishment, is given energetic yet miguided advice by Eliphaz (Born to Trouble). Job responds with I am not a Rock, after which Bildad accuses him (No Blame?). When Job's Public Defender is thrown out of court (Job Rap), Job expresses his pain (Trilogy: Despair). Unconvinced, Zophar condemns Job in Trilogy: Wise Up, while Job remarkably maintains the integrity of his faith (Trilogy: Though He Slay Me). Undaunted, Eliphaz attacks Job in Fool Man, finally provoking Job's angry response. The question of divine justice is re-eaxamined in Wicked Man, followed by Bildad's No Blame? Reprise. Job rejects their censure and maintains his innocence in his Final Defense. Nearing the conclusion, Elihu chastises them all in The Spirit is Moving. In the finale Whirlwind, a thundering deity restores Job's family, giving him even greater prosperity than he possessed at the story's outset.

Casts of productions

Character Niagara Toronto Toronto CD Release Los Angeles Off-Broadway
Job Lee Siegel William Darcangelo Kevin Connelly Walter Winston O'Neil Troy curtis (as Troy Kurtis)
Satan Greg Watson Kevin Connelly unknown unknown Dale Church

Musical numbers

Act I
Act II

Music and recordings

In 1998, the music was recorded and released on CD. The role of Job was sung by Kevin Connelly. The ensemble cast recording was accompanied by a staging of the musical at the Betty Oliphant Theatre in downtown Toronto.[5]

Reboot

In 2016, the musical received a reboot, with around two-thirds of the music being updated. Munoz put out a casting call in the Detroit area in September and showcased the new production in November. [6]

References

  1. ↑ Law, John. "New Musical 'Job' Premieres Tonight." Niagara Falls Review. September 23, 1994.
  2. ↑ nurun.com. "Broadway beckons for Niagara actor Siegel".
  3. ↑ "Beachers Face the Snake." Lakesider Entertainment. April 12, 1998.
  4. ↑ http://www.press-enterprise.com/newsarchive/2000/05/11/958008372.html
  5. ↑ "Job And The Snake - 1998 Original Toronto Cast".
  6. ↑ "Auditions Scheduled." Royal Oak Review. September 14, 2016.
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