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Episcus and Edendus: A Ten-Minute Musical

Book and Lyrics by Greg Edwards, Music by Ron Barnett

Set in Ancient Rome, Episcus and Edendus is a musical tale about a Christian and a lion who reject the roles assigned to them by society and instead dream of, and schlep to, a world where they can both be free. Namely, Portugal.

Episcus and Edendus was a finalist for 2016 City Theatre National Award for Short Playwriting.

Characters

  • EDENDUS, a Christian
  • EPISCUS, a lion
  • PRIMA, SECUNDA, and TERTIA, a Roman Greek chorus

Productions

  • Artistic New Directions (New York, March 2009)
  • BMI (New York, June 2008)

Photos

Selections

Read the script. Or listen to some tunes:

Backstory

In May 2008, Ron and I were paired up randomly for BMI's ten-minute musical assignment. As we brainstormed possible character relationships, Ron suggested a Christian and a lion. This appealed to the side of me that enjoys seeing people being eaten by wild animals (a very large side of me), and we wrote Episcus and Edendus.

When an old woman's leg falls off, she sings "Barbie Girl" (an apt commentary on the fungible natures of our dreams/limbs), followed by "Forever Young" (a lament about how she may not, in fact, be all that young as she is holding an item that was previously her appendage). ~ The Three Perils of Argentina: The Arts