THE LEYENDECKER LOOK, full-length musical by Thomas Jacobsen & Arianna Rose

Book & Lyrics by Arianna Rose

Music by Thomas Jacobsen
Adapted from the play "The Lesser Leyendecker" by Arianna Rose

[full-length, two-act musical] “Family First” is the motto of the real-life Leyendecker siblings Mary, Joe and Frank. The close-knit brothers rise to fame as commercial illustrators in the early 1900s, even as Frank battles addiction issues and conflicting artistic ambitions. Both brothers are gay, and Mary chooses not to marry, devoting her life to her brothers and their business.

All is well until Canadian...

[full-length, two-act musical] “Family First” is the motto of the real-life Leyendecker siblings Mary, Joe and Frank. The close-knit brothers rise to fame as commercial illustrators in the early 1900s, even as Frank battles addiction issues and conflicting artistic ambitions. Both brothers are gay, and Mary chooses not to marry, devoting her life to her brothers and their business.

All is well until Canadian model Charles Beach insinuates himself into Joe’s heart and art. Charles serves as the inspiration and main model for Joe’s creation The Arrow Collar Man, arguably one of the first media influencers on the nation. Their relationship grows from a professional one to a romantic relationship, creating friction between the siblings.

The timeless issues of art and addiction, siblings and celebrity, imagination and illusion all meet in this highly theatrical memory musical, spanning late 1890s through 1924.

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THE LEYENDECKER LOOK, full-length musical by Thomas Jacobsen & Arianna Rose

Character Information

3 men, 2 women, 4 ensemble, 1 (male) non-human cutout or puppet/puppeteer, optional additional ensemble

  • Frank Xavier (FX) Leyendecker
    Brilliant illustrator, timid, emotional, weakness for alcohol and drugs, youngest child syndrome; idolizes his brother, homosexual.
    ages from 20s to 40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Livvy
    Based on Frank’s illustration of a tightrope walker, for the April 29, 1922 edition of Life Magazine (“A Live Wire”). She represents Frank’s life force and art. She can be an actor, or a puppet with a puppeteer actor. Any race/ethnicity.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Joseph Christian (JC) Leyendecker (a.k.a. Joe)
    Brilliant illustrator. Slight stutter when stressed. Walks with a slight limp due to a childhood disease. Feels responsible for his siblings. Very close to Frank. Driven. Irresponsible with money. Hopelessly drawn to Charles. Homosexual. Any race/ethnicity.

    ages from 20s to 40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mary Leyendecker
    Loyal to her brothers and their art; has a temper; good head for business.
    ages from 20s to 40s in the story
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Charles Beach
    around 7 years younger than Joe.
    Tall, muscular, blond, movie star handsome. Canadian, clipped British accent. Beautifully dressed. Well mannered at first. Homosexual.
    ages from 17 to 30s in the story
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • The Arrow Collar Man
    (non-verbal, non-human) could be a cardboard cutout or life-size puppet that the actors or a puppeteer move around; a projection or hologram; or an ensemble member that looks like Charles Beach. Whatever the form, should resemble the actor playing CHARLES BEACH. Based on the Arrow Collar Man advertisements.
    any adult age
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • FEMALE ENSEMBLE #1
    any adult age
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Flapper (also on ensemble track)
    Plays the Flapper in one scene-to-song in addition to ensemble track
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Male Ensemble #1
    plays Mr. Knickerbocker in one scene besides the ensemble track. May also play Arrow Collar Man in "Little Black Book" song and scene.
    20s-40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Male Ensemble #2
    any adult age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Optional Additional Ensemble Members
    Optional addition ensemble for the ensemble track, play a variety of characters.
    any age
    Any
    Any