Split Decision
Music by Zak Sandler, Lyrics by Greg Edwards
Synopsis
Split Decision, an original musical by BMI writers
Greg Edwards (Fred Ebb
Award runner-up,
Jonathan Edwards Arts Prize) and Zak Sandler (Shen Prize, Fenno Heath Award),
tells
the story of Daniel Rhodes, an either-or decision he makes, and the
ramifications of both
the either and the or.
Daniel Rhodes, a struggling author, has received the opportunity of a lifetime:
to move to
Hollywood and adapt his latest story into a blockbuster film. But there’s a
catch—if he
accepts the job, he must give up his life in New York, including the most
promising
relationship he’s ever been in. As Daniel makes his decision, the narrative
branches into
two interweaving paths: what happens if Daniel chooses love, and what happens if
he
chooses career. Each path brings unforeseen successes, startling challenges, and
illustrates
how just one choice can ripple through the universe to shape our lives, the
people around
us, and the people we might have been.
For more information, contact
gregory.edwards@aya.yale.edu
Demo Tracks
Demos of the following songs are available. For a copy of the lyrics, download the
Synopsis & Lyrics.
1. |
"The Greatest Story Ever Written"
(Daniel)
Setup: Present day, present city. Daniel Rhodes is an aspiring
short-story writer who lives out where the subway is no longer sub. As the show
begins, he sits at his desk typing. |
| 2. |
"You're Gonna Love L. A."
(Philippe, Danny, Denizens of Hollywood) Setup: That
afternoon, Daniel receives the opportunity of a lifetime: to move to
Hollywood and adapt his story into a blockbuster film. But there’s a
catch: if he accepts the gig, he has to give up New York, including the
most promising relationship he’s ever been in.
As Daniel makes his decision, the narrative branches into two
paths: what happens if he chooses love, and what happens if he chooses
career.
Here, having chosen career, Danny catches the next flight to Los
Angeles. At LAX, he’s greeted by Philippe, the studio boss’s assistant,
who introduces him to the West Coast. |
3. |
"Manual for Life"
(Daniel)
Setup: Having chosen love, Daniel stays in New York with
Ryan and continues to support himself as a manual writer for kitchen
appliances. When Ryan breaks off the relationship, Daniel hits rock bottom. |
4. |
"Our Little Swedish Home"
(Daniel, Ryan)
Setup: Daniel and Ryan reconcile and ultimately move in
together. In their new apartment, they assemble furniture. |
Performer Credits – Track 1: James Donegan, Track 2: Paul Sabala with Megan Loughran
and Gabriel Violett, Track 3: James Donegan, Track 4: James Donegan, Chris Critelli
|
