I’ve been a fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band more than 40 years. Like other fans, I’m very familiar with Bruce’s collection of albums, songs, and lyrics. Years ago, just for fun, I started putting pen to paper, sketching a light-hearted musical story about some of the characters in Bruce’s songs. Springsteen fans know that Mary is mentioned in many songs.  Naturally, Mary needed to be a central character in the musical.  Wendy also makes the cut because she’s the protagonist in Born to Run.  But what do I do with Candy, Kitty, Janey, Bobby Jean, Sandy and Sherry?  And what about the notable young men in Springsteen’s songs?  I’ve always had empathy for Johnny 99.  Wayne, Eddie, Frankie, Sonny, Bobby, Terry, Killer Joe, and Wild Billy were all potential characters too.  Ultimately, I went with the cast of characters that appeared most vividly to me. 

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As I began to piece a story together, I did some matchmaking. I playfully inserted lyrics and titles of Bruce’s songs into the script and the characters’ dialog to introduce even more fun into the writing process, anticipating that discerning Springsteen fans, if ever read by any, might appreciate the references, some jokingly obvious, others very subtle. In addition, I gave thought to how the audience might engage at a Springsteen musical. Bruce fans enthusiastically participate and join performances. To that end, I inserted situations in scenes that give rise to audience participation, applause and amusement, e.g., with fleeting appearances by Bruce, Clarence, and Little Steven and audience polling at intermission that affects the end of the show.  If the story makes its way on stage,  the audience will certainly join in.  You can bet on it.

 

The “book” is largely completed but I continue to make small changes and adaptations. I have several script structures at-the-ready for artistic directors and producers to read, consider and workshop. Several scripts and structures may avoid the need for grand rights as they are written and likely protected under parody law and / or performed in a manner covered by a licensing agency (karaoke / cabaret formats).  

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I would welcome the opportunity to have the script further polished by an editor, artistic director, or producer with the intent of getting the story on stage someday.  Should there be any interest, I’m just a email, text, or phone call away.  -R. Diestel