On this Throwback Thursday, I want to high one of my favorite “music video” creations (courtesy of yours truly) from the opening number of the musical “The Burning of the White House.”
“The Burning of the White House” is by far my longest-nursed creative endeavor, which I have worked on with the great composer (and co-bookwriter) Norman Berman since early 2017.
Briefly, the musical tells the story of Paul Jennings, a house slave to James and Dolley Madison during the War of 1812 (which, contrary to its title, lasted from 1812-14) and specifically young Paul’s coming of age during the British capture and burning of Washington, DC in August of 1814.
Recruiting a wonderful cast, Norman organized a demo recording of the opening song (really, the opening scene – slightly truncated for the actual demo recording, but relatively intact) which takes place at the White House during one of Dolley Madison’s famous soirees – though, not too far away, the British are prowling the American coastline and threatening invasion.
You can check out more about “The Burning of the White House” here on our website!
It’s been a long time in coming, but my collaborator Norman Berman and I have been working hard on our epic new musical “The Burning of the White House” – a (semi-)true story about Paul Jennings, the young house slave at the White House during the presidency of James Madison, who, through the struggles and turmoil surrounding the British invasion and burning of Washington, DC in the War of 1812, reaches manhood and appreciates his deserved place in the world.
Many thanks to Norman, we have had some wonderful demo sessions done for some of our songs for this great production with some of the best singers you can imagine.
While I have collected these songs here, I wanted to share some photos from some of our recent recording sessions for these songs and acknowledge the great talent involved.
Many thanks, as well, to Clear Lake Recording Studios in North Hollywood, CA, which provided the venue for all the recording sessions.
My collaborator, Norman Berman (second from left), with, starting to his left, Joshua Finkel, Tonoccus McClain, and Dink O’Neal, recording the opening song “It’s the End”.
Norman with Tonoccus McClain, Frederika Meek, and Maiya Sykes recording the Act 1 finale “Escape from the White House.”
Lisa Vroman, Olly Sholotan, Shabnam Kalbasi, and Alvin Shea recording the fun number “Give ‘Em A Kick.”
Alvin Shea and Tonoccus McClain recording the wonderful ballad “Here I Is.”
I’m delighted to present the new music video for the opening song “It’s The End” from the new musical “The Burning of the White House” – to which I have co-authored the book and written the lyrics.
“The Burning of the White House” is the story of the young slave Paul Jennings and his coming into freedom and manhood during the British invasion of Washington, DC during the War of 1812.
In this opening piece, we meet the young Paul Jennings for the first time and witness chaos engulf the White House as Congressmen learn the British have landed in Maryland and are making their way for Washington DC.
The musical tells the story of young slave Paul Jennings and his quest for freedom and manhood set against the 1814 British invasion of Washington DC and the subsequent burning of the White House, the Capitol, and other key government buildings.
Our newest release – “Escape from the White House” – is the fast-paced finale to Act One, when the British army is approaching Washington DC and First Lady Dolley Madison and the White House staff must flee for their lives.
The song starts with some reflections from the 50-year-old version of the young slave Paul Jennings, who narrates the musical to us, reflecting back on the day when the British invaded and it seemed the very country was about to collapse.
President James Madison is leading American forces in Maryland as the British march towards the capital city – but Dolley is refusing to consider defeat and is busy organizing a fine dinner for what she believes will be her victorious husband with his victorious army… even while guns in the distance and the conspicuous absence of certain guests indicate all is not going well for the American forces.
As each character relives the scene in their mind – Dolley, the Master of Ceremonies at the White House (Jean Pierre Sioussat), Dolley’s maidservant Sukey, Madison’s friend Charles Carroll – the news arrives from different fleeing parties that the American army has been defeated, President Madison has fled the field of battle, and the British are marching in full force towards the capital city.
Taking command, Dolley organizes the evacuation of the White House, seeking to save key documents of state, as well as the famous portrait of George Washington hanging in the drawing room – but unfortunately Dolley forgets to take the President’s state papers, prompting young Paul Jennings to remain behind and rescue them… a fateful decision, indeed, as the young slave is subsequently captured by the British army.
“Escape from the White House” encompassed the entire drama of that final day in August 14, 1824 during the British invasion, encompassing the beautiful and wondrous vocal talents of Amick Bryam, Edmund Rodriguez, Tehillah Alphonso, Luc Kleiner, Lydia Elle, Dylan Gentile, Tonoccus McLaine, Lisa Vroman, and Mark Edward Smith, and vibrant, lush orchestrations by John Peter Sampson.
I’m happy to announce that my collaborator Norman L. Berman and I have released a new demo song for our exciting, epic musical “The Burning of the White House.”
Entitled “Mistuh Tree”, the song is sung by the main character of the play – 15-year-old Paul Jennings, a house slave to James and Dolley Madison – who grows from boy to man during the chaos and drama surrounding the British invasion of Washington, DC and the burning of the White House during the War of 1812.
As Dolley Madison and her retinue flee the White House, Paul is accidentally left behind and captured by the British army. In short order, Paul is taken hostage and his very life is threatened – but thankfully, he is able to flee and escape British clutches. In desperation, the young slave finds refuge up a nearby tree, as British soldiers search for him below. While up the tree, Paul considers his precarious situation and the fact that he almost lost his life for the very people who have enslaved him.
“Mistuh Tree” is a song of both bitterness and empowerment, as Paul considers his condition as a slave and embraces a brave determination to be a free man.
Many thanks to Norman for managing this beautiful recording and for the excellent singer, Tonnocus McClain, who has brought such passion and feeling to the song.
The song – entitled “It’s The End” – is the opening number of the piece and basically takes up an entire, dramatic scene as the British loom off the American coast in the War of 1812.
As the song begins, we’re in the White House, where Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, is holding one of her famous soirees while Congress is in emergency session. Alas, the mood is dire, as British warships are looming off the coast of Maryland and Congressmen are terrified of a potential invasion. The anti-war party is led by Senator King of New York, who blames the war on President Madison and spars with Dolley, while leading other Congressmen in ever greater hysterics.
Meanwhile, we meet the young slave, Paul Jennings – smart, sassy, and a bit full of himself. He’s busy showing a new slave named Henry how to navigate etiquette at the White House. However, Paul cares less about etiquette – or even the British invasion, for that matter – than he does his desire for a brand new pair of fancy shoes.
Eventually, a messenger brings news to the assembled crowd that the British have landed in Maryland and are making for Washington D.C. – at which point, chaos ensues.
The musical version here of the scene is a bit truncated, but still gives a brilliant feel for the piece and represents about 80% of the opening scene as-is.
Many thanks to the vocal talent of Keith Colclough, Lisa Vroman, Jarrett Johnson, Dylan Gentile, Edmund Rodriquez, James Hayden, and Mark Edward Smith!
The great Norman Berman and I have released another new song from our epic musical “The Burning of the White House” – the true story of the 1814 invasion of Washington DC by the British, as seen through the eyes of a young slave to President and Dolley Madison.
In this song, Dolley Madison, the flamboyant wife of President James Madison, is trying to liven the spirits of her husband, who is about to go off to war and fight the British in Maryland.
The situation appears dire, but Dolley refuses to think negatively and insists on planning a magnificent feast for her husband when he returns from what she believes will be a decisive victory.
…but then, Dolley may not be quite as sure of this victory as it seems.
“The Burning of the White House” is the true story of Paul Jennings, a young slave to President and Mrs. Madison, and his growth from boy to man while living through the British invasion of the nation’s capital and the subsequent burning of the White House in the War of 1812 – a seminal even in the nation’s history (and now quite topical).
In this song (the final musical number), young Paul, James and Dolley Madison, and various other servants and politicians have returned to the smoking hull of the White House after the British leave the city and now face the enormous task of rebuilding the structure that served for so many people as a symbol of the nation.
The song traces the emotional highs and lows of all present as they cope with the enormity of the task before them – first with pessimism, then with hope, then with humble reality.
I am happy to release a new recording of the song “I Look Behind Me” from the musical “The Burning of the White House”, which I am almost finished writing (after four years) with the great composer Norman Berman.
Set against the backdrop of the War of 1812 and the British invasion of Washington DC, the play charts the young slave Paul Jennings and his growth from boy to man during the trauma of the nation’s invasion and the burning of the White House by the British.
The song “I Look Behind Me” is sung by President Madison (pictured above) after he lost the Battle of Bladensburg in Maryland, which enabled the British to lay waste to the capital, prompting the deeply shamed Madison to reflect on his responsibility for the tragedy.
Some more exciting song releases are on their way!
Briefly, “The Burning of the White House” is about Paul Jennings, the 15-year-old house slave to President and Mrs. Madison, who discovers his true heroism, strength, and purpose, living through one of the most momentous event in the nation’s history – the burning of the White House by the British in 1814.
The song “Here I Is” is an ironic duet sung by the young slave (and a 50-year-old version of himself) to Dolley Madison, as the younger Paul becomes evermore conscious of his desire for freedom, while also trying to balance the mother-son relationship he has with Dolley with the painful reality of his enslavement.
You can visit this website for more details about the show!
