SWEET LAND the musical

by Laurie Flanigan Hegge

Sweet Land, a new musical by the all-female writing team of Perrin Post, Laurie Flanigan-Hegge and Dina Maccabee, tells the story of a German immigrant who comes to America in the wake of WWI to marry a bachelor farmer, sight unseen. Set against cathedral skies, the determined young woman and her stoic farmer fight for their lives, facing their own misgivings and the harshness of an unforgiving community. Based on the beloved independent film Sweet Land by Ali Selim and the short story A Gravestone Made of Wheat by Will Weaver, this new musical features a cast of twelve, including five musicians who are fully integrated into the ensemble.

http://www.sweetlandthemusical.com/

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SWEET LAND the musical

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Kate Danley: SWEET LAND the musical by Laurie Flanigan Hegge

“

I caught a production of "Sweet Land" at the Taproot Theatre and it was absolutely delightful. Heartfelt and charming with some great musical numbers. Through an historical lens, it wrestles with some big issues about immigration and who is welcome/who is not in America, but does so with a light, non-preachy, compassionate touch appropriate for audiences across the political spectrum. There was a talk back after the show and I was moved by how many people remarked that the immigration story they saw on stage mirrored their own grandparents and great-grandparents' stories.

I caught a production of "Sweet Land" at the Taproot Theatre and it was absolutely delightful. Heartfelt and charming with some great musical numbers. Through an historical lens, it wrestles with some big issues about immigration and who is welcome/who is not in America, but does so with a light, non-preachy, compassionate touch appropriate for audiences across the political spectrum. There was a talk back after the show and I was moved by how many people remarked that the immigration story they saw on stage mirrored their own grandparents and great-grandparents' stories.

”
Brian Vinero: SWEET LAND the musical by Laurie Flanigan Hegge

“

An intelligent, heartfelt folk musical with immediacy and intimacy of character but grand scope in the storytelling.

An intelligent, heartfelt folk musical with immediacy and intimacy of character but grand scope in the storytelling.

”

Development History

Type Workshop, Organization Buffalo Gal, funded by a grant from the MN State Arts Board and NEA, Year 2015
Type Workshop, Organization History Theater, Raw Stages Festival [Jan 2016] for upcoming 2017 production, Year 2015
Type Reading, Organization Buffalo Gal Productions, Year 2014

Production History

Type Professional, Taproot Theatre Company, Year 2018
Type Professional, Organization History Theatre, Minnesota Tour, Year 2017
Type Professional, Organization History Theatre, St. Paul, MN, Year 2017

Genre

adaptation,

drama,

musical

Subject Matter Keywords

immigration,

prejudice,

family

Length

90 minutes to two hours

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters

Supporting Materials

Score

Sweet Land Vocal Score.pdf

Music Samples

http://noisepicnic.com/?s=sweet%20land

Supporting Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5YVblFhrA

Reviews

Seattle Times

“
Taproot’s well-cast, engaging chamber musical is more than a celebration of Midwestern acreage and hardy farm folk; it contextualizes its entertaining romance within the xenophobia that can erupt in small communities toward a newcomer who is, as one of the songs proclaims, ‘not one of us.’
”
The Room Where it Happens

“
The music in this show perhaps really steals it all though, with beautiful, soaring pieces that personify the way the harvest feels, the way the country looks, and expressing the innermost stories of people who otherwise cannot express themselves.
”
Lavendar Magazine

“
The unique mix of blunt truth and creamy nostalgia, make this smaller scale musical something truly special...owes much to Maccabee’s often transcendent score, obliquely and soulfully reminiscent of Aaron Copland. The show glistens with memorable, hummable tunes that seem to correspond with the land itself.
”
St. Paul Pioneer Press

“
...a heartwarming and heart winning piece of musical theatre.
”
Minneapolis Star Tribune

“
The show has plenty of charm. And composer Dina Maccabee's music is often evocative, poignant, and yes, sweet.
”
Cherry and Spoon

“
...a beautiful story of love, community, and connection to the land...
”
Talkin' Broadway

“
...a thoroughly human story of enduring love. Sweet Land is one of the finest original works to appear on any Twin Cities stage over the past several seasons.
”