# Open, Stay

## Metadata

- Slug: open-stay
- Type:
  - Short Musical
  - Song Cycle
  - Unconventional & Awesome
- Genre: Dramedy
- Acts: 1 act
- Duration:
  - 40–60 minutes
  - 60–90 minutes
  - 90–120 minutes
- Cast:
  - Medium (7-14)
  - Large (15+)
- Cast Summary: The show as scripted calls for a cast of 10, any gender. The workshop production as transcribed here has a cast of ten.  Roles can be doubled for a smaller cast. All characters can be played by anyone of any age, race, or gender. Minimum 4 performers for cabarets or devised processes. Songs available in alternate keys upon request.
- Movement Requirements: Minimal, if at all.
- Technical Requirements: Very minimal: all that is required is a door.
- Suitable For:
  - Professional Theatre
  - Community Theatre
  - College/University
  - High School/Secondary
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/bscoz1zblr99u7f8x43z036076oq
- Album Cover: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/jwvjjrsu7cm9jfqmbf6rolfg1q69

---

## Authors

- Music and Lyrics by [Anna DeNoia](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/anna-denoia)
- Arranged and Orchestrated by [Joshua Villa](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/joshua-villa)

## Overview

Paranoia, grief, joy, jealousy — from awkward first encounters to bitter goodbyes, this new song cycle for the skeptical romantic wrestles with what we owe and what we can expect from one another. **Remove the mush, add the clever, lean into the fresh: and now you have** ***Open, Stay.*******
Spanning musical genres woven together masterfully with subtly repeated musical themes, *Open, Stay* is a collection of ten vignette-style moments of connection — beginnings, endings and in-betweens, as well as the moments that come long after we part ways. Full of laughter, loss, and lessons learned, it is an exploration of how we love and how we lose one another, all connected by the need that brings us together — the need for each other.
Perform *Open, Stay* live as it moves like wildfire through TikTok.
***Three different versions:***
1. The song cycle: music only, no scenes. 45 minutes long.
2. A 60 minute one-act with pre-written scenes.
3. Write your own scenes and make it as long as you want.

## Plot

Young love and all the mess, sadness, and beauty that goes with it.

## Instrumentation

OPEN, STAY is written for a band of 8 players:  keyboard (piano and Rhodes), guitar (acoustic, electric with overdrive+chorus and wah-wah pedals, and hollowbodied), bass, drums, two violins, viola, and cello. The song cycle can also be performed as a reduced orchestration of 6 players that does not include Violin 2 and Viola. The reduced books also includes "The Arizona Song" in two keys: C major and Bb major (Steven's Key). Additional keys not listed in the original score can be requested.

**Orchestra Size**: Small

**Instruments**: Piano, Drums, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Viola, Cello, Two violins

## Materials

### Materials fee also includes **ONE** of the following:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| Performance Tracks |  |
| Orchestra Sheet Music |  |

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| Performance Tracks |  |
| Orchestra Sheet Music |  |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creators | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |

## Production Images

| URL | Caption | Credit |
| --- | ------- | ------ |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/xwczedgs3g0xtpeablin5tjzaex4 | James Madison University |  |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/npyydub7eoiez1ccpzrasg988acb | James Madison University |  |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/52zfn1e5yxtahpzpmd5bjk7uy82o | James Madison University |  |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/y77yc80tai6ao8m0brxn21hlguib | James Madison University |  |

## Videos

- https://www.youtube.com/embed/GiBwNRNoO-o
- https://www.youtube.com/embed/j9yRRqJtFr8
- https://www.youtube.com/embed/6CUyJczdWNQ
- https://www.youtube.com/embed/HdsqJ5l_CL8

## Press

| Title | URL | Image |
| ----- | --- | ----- |
| JMU senior receives grant for studio recording of song cycle | https://www.breezejmu.org/culture/jmu-senior-receives-grant-for-studio-recording-of-song-cycle/article_c242312c-a2cc-11eb-a9af-1f85ab87956a.html | https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/breezejmu.org/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/7f/b7ff44c4-a2cd-11eb-9cc2-37a6a766fe81/60806c086d837.image.jpg?crop=1763%2C926%2C0%2C125&resize=1200%2C630&order=crop%2Cresize |

## Links

- [View HTML page](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/open-stay)