Drama Department: King David Oratorio

What Is King David Oratorio?

Bathsheba: …and you wrote such music, poetry and music!

David: If ever any of my songs of love and fear of God are heard and sung by those who never knew me, then they were given to me by God who told them through me.

--From King David Oratorio

**What is King David Oratorio?**

King David Oratorio is a two hour and twenty minute song cycle that dramatically and truthfully depicts the story of one of Israel’s greatest kings. Bringing to life such historical figures as Bathsheba, Joab, Goliath, Jonathan and Absalom, the piece relates the significant events in David’s life from boyhood to death as recounted in the Old Testament.

The oratorio (which, for those not familiar with the term, is a musical composition, generally not staged, for chorus, orchestra and soloists, whose text is generally religious, serious or philosophical in nature) was written by two of the world’s leading contributors to the world of musical theatre. The score was written by Alan Menken, composer of many of America’s most familiar and cherished scores. His works include Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Newsies for Disney as well as Little Shop of Horrors and A Christmas Carol for Broadway. The lyrics and book were written by Tim Rice, whose long collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber resulted in the hits Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita. He also wrote lyrics for the Broadway shows The Lion King, Aida, and Chess.

King DavidOratorio marked Rice’s third collaboration with Menken, whom he joined after the death of Howard Ashman to expand the animated Disney film Beauty and the Beast for the stage and complete the score for the animated Aladdin. They received Academy Awards for Score and Song on the latter.

According to Rice, he was intrigued for years about King Saul and had considered a musical piece. "Then we were commissioned by an Israeli producer to commemorate the 3,000th anniversary of the city of Jerusalem," said Rice, "with the focus to be on King David. I knew him to be associated with Saul but I didn't know much more. I found him to be one of the most fascinating characters in the Old Testament.”

Originally entitled King David, the piece ended a nine performance world premiere engagement May 23, 1997, for Walt Disney Theatrical Productions. The concert event, which utilized a forty-five piece orchestra and a large choir, reopened the New Amsterdam Theatre, the historic, opulently-restored 94-year-old former home of the Ziegfeld Follies. Since then it has only been performed one other time, a successful scaled-down version at Lyric Stage in Dallas, Texas. Landmark Christian will be performing the piece as it originally premiered in New York City.

How did Landmark Christian School obtain the rights?

In January of 2005, Don Johnson, the Fine Arts Head of Landmark Christian, and Mark Smith, head of the school’s theatre program, were brainstorming about possible shows that could temporarily take the place of Landmark’s very successful Madrigal Dinner, generate an exciting buzz about the performing arts at the school, and bring Landmark the regional and nationwide recognition it deserves. They were also searching for a way to raise money to help fund the many projects in which the Fine Arts Department seeks to participate each year.

Being very familiar with the original cast recording of King David (which is currently out of print), Mr. Smith suggested this piece as a possible candidate. Upon gaining permission from Mr. Skinner (as well as his heart-felt enthusiasm for the project), they began tracking down the licensing rights to do the show. After a few e-mails to Lyric Stage in Dallas, as well as numerous conference calls with Rick Kunis, the school’s contact with Alan Menken Inc. in New York, the rights were secured for two performances that would take place in November of 2005. The only requirements for permission were the changing of the name to King David Oratorio as well as performing the piece in its entirety with the forty-five piece orchestration. Alan Menken’s office personally felt that Landmark was the place to premiere the show one more time.

How can Landmark Christian School possibly pull this off?!

Of course God’s strength and blessings will be the main factor for our success, but we also have been very fortunate to have many talented people come along on this journey for next to nothing. The principal performers are made up of professionals from New York, Chicago, Austin, and Atlanta with whom Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith have previously worked in professional theatres around the country. (Actually, we were blessed with finding a King David right here in Atlanta, who is the worship minister at a local church.) CLICK HERE FOR CAST BIOS. The Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra devoted to meeting the cultural needs of audiences and performers in the Southern Crescent area of Metro Atlanta, under the direction of Dr. Richard Bell, will provide us with the beautiful orchestrations.

Why are the tickets more expensive than most of Landmark’s events?

An event of this size, and the amount of excitement it will create in South Atlanta, is unprecedented. Landmark is, in essence, producing a Broadway-caliber show in Newnan. The revenue needed to achieve this is substantial. Ultimately, the show will be an event well worth the ticket price of $25 to $60, utilizing professional actors, designers, and musicians.

When and where can I get tickets?

Beginning Thursday August 25th you can call 770-251-2791, a direct line for ordering tickets with check, by credit card, or by charging student accounts. You will be able to look at a seating chart. There are also order forms available in the school’s front office. You can also print off an order form. HURRY, THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY!!

Closing thoughts

One of the most amazing aspects of this production will be the fact that the Landmark Christian High School Choirs will be singing right beside theatre professionals, school alumni, staff, board members, and just plain fans of the theatre. What better way to teach our children lessons from one of the Bible’s most revered figures, what it means to perform with excellence, as well as providing them with training that will prepare them to be artists who will impact the world for Jesus Christ?

If you have any questions about King David Oratorio, please feel free to call the Fine Arts Department at 770 692 6763.