Ordinary Days

Ordinary Days is a musical with music and lyrics by American composer Adam Gwon.[1] Set in New York City, the musical follows four characters, Claire, Jason, Warren and Deb, exploring how their ordinary lives connect in the most amazing ways. Originally directed by Marc Bruni with the Roundabout Theatre Company at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre,[1] the show includes 21 songs which tell the story of these two men and two women.[2] The original cast included Lisa Brescia (Claire), Hunter Foster (Jason), Jared Gertner (Warren), and Kate Wetherhead (Deb).[3]

For the 2017 Canadian film, see Ordinary Days (film).
Ordinary Days
Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording
MusicAdam Gwon
LyricsAdam Gwon
Productions
2008 Off-West End
2009 Off-Broadway
2011 Off-West End
2012 Australia
2015 Paris
2015 Barcelona
2016 Israel
2016 Rio de Janeiro
2016 Scotland
2016 Wellington
2017 Off-West End
2018 Buenos Aires
2019 Off-Broadway
2019 Off-West End
2020 Hamilton
2020 Madrid

Summary

Warren is an artist in New York city. He is employed by an artist who painted "pithy sayings" all across the city. This led to the artist getting arrested, and the artist hired Warren to watch his cat while he's in jail. Warren intends to spread the artist's vision by making flyers with the sayings instead. Although people are not interested in his work, he remains very ambitious, declaring that one day "This whole entire city's gonna look at me" ("One by One by One"). Deb is a graduate student also in New York. She had grown up in the countryside, and found her ambitions constantly limited by her circumstances: she had graduated on top of her high school class, but could not study the topics she wanted in college. She tried to find a job down South, but could only find a job as Applebees, where she was fired after only a few weeks. She then got a job in an office, but was unhappy with her job of sending faxes. As a result, she moved to New York for grad school ("Don't Wanna Be Here"). Meanwhile, Jason is moving in with his girlfriend Claire so there is less space between them ("The Space Between"). To do this, he has to rearrange the furniture as well as throw out old mementos, which Claire has trouble letting go of ("Let Things Go").

In grad school, Deb is working on a thesis on Virginia Woolf. One day, she discovers that her notes are not in her bag where she kept them. Distressed, she imagines writing to her supervisor Professor Thompson asking for an extension, knowing full well that Professor Thompson had warned that under no circumstances "be they medical, emotional, familial or chronic" could she turn in something late ("Dear Professor Thompson (Pt. 1)"). Meanwhile, Warren explains his collection of trinkets that he found on the streets, which grants him a view of other people's life stories. He finds Deb's notes, and discovers an email address and a name ("Life Story"). Deb is imagining ever more frantic emails to Professor Thompson ("Dear Professor Thompson (Pt. 2)" when Warren contacts her. Claire and Jason are fighting over the limited space in Claire's apartment. They reminiscence over an old article with the "Top ten things to do in New York before you leave it". They had worked through all ten things throughout their relationship. Although Claire still thinks about her past, Jason suggests an eleventh item ("I'm Trying").

Warren suggests that he return Deb's notes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, under a painting by Claude Monet. Deb is flustered because the traffic around the museum is awful, the museum is huge, and she has trouble finding the painting. Jason suggests visiting the museum as the 11th item, but Claire does not enjoy the paintings ("Saturday at the Met"). Jason realizes the trip to the museum did not work out well, but resolves to try to get through to Claire anyway, because Claire's heart is one of his favorite places ("Favorite Places"). Warren finds Deb and gives her back her notes, explaining that he had read the notes and drawn a detailed mental picture of the occasion. Deb is annoyed because she considers Warren a weirdo, but controls herself and offers to treat Warren to coffee ("Sort of Fairy Tale").

Jason and Claire are shopping for a bottle of wine for a party by Claire's cousin. They disagree over what wine to get, with Claire arguing that the party was serving fish, so they cannot bring red wine. She suggests bringing white wine instead, but Jason does not like white wine. The two argue, eventually agreeing that they'll bring one bottle of wine each, so Jason can still get drunk and Claire can still be right. They argue further when the taxi to the party gets stuck in a traffic jam, and when they get out to walk, it starts to rain. Claire starts worrying about her hair, shoe, bag and dress, and how they are going to be late, but Jason can only think about how beautiful the rain makes Claire look. Abruptly, he proposes to Claire ("Fine").

Deb tries to have a serious conversation over coffee with Warren, asking Warren what he sees as the big picture, but Warren takes the conversation lightly. Deb is annoyed, exclaiming that drinking coffee with a "professional cat sitter" was all her life is going to amount to. Abruptly, she realizes she needs to see Professor Thompson, and leaves. At the same time, Claire, flustered by the proposal, also leaves Jason ("Big Picture"). Jason is confused and wonders what he should do next, as Claire and Deb force their way through the New York city crowds, realizing that these other people all had their own stories but right now were in the way ("Hundred Story City"). Claire makes it to her cousin's party without Jason, then realizes she's been crying ("Party Interlude"). Deb tries to calm herself, but when Professor Thompson criticizes her thesis, she panics and gets on a train to Jersey. After wandering aimlessly while trying to be calm, she returns to her apartment with "crazy spastic roommates", she sees a poster on her wall which reminds her of the painting by Monet she had seen with Warren. Suddenly, she realizes she is genuinely calm ("Calm"). Warren is pondering a genuine answer to Deb's question about the big picture when Deb contacts him ("Life Story (Reprise)").

Claire leaves her cousin's party and wanders aimlessly, trying to sort out her feelings. She realizes she wants Jason happy, but has also been trying to keep space between them ("Gotta Get Out"). Deb visits Warren, who takes her to the roof of the building. They discuss their ambitions in life and how they hope for something more. Warren acknowledges that nobody reads the flyers he makes, and throws them over the edge. Seeing this, Deb also throws her thesis off the edge. Jason had decided he could not stay with Claire, and had packed his belongings to leave. As the shower of flyers rains down, Jason finds one that says "Don't worry, everything will be OK". Claire also sees the shower, and calls Jason on his mobile phone ("Rooftop Duet / Falling"). She reminiscences about her previous relationship with a man named John. They had been together for over a year before he perished in the September 11 attacks. She hears John say it's OK for her to move on, and accepts Jason's proposal ("I'll Be Here").

In the finale, Deb and Warren have become good friends. They visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art again, together. Warren shows Deb his favorite painting, who cynically points out that it's a painting of very ordinary apples when they are in a museum with sculptures of angels and portraits of kings. Warren says that things are not intrinsically beautiful, but beauty comes from reflection, and something ordinary can nonetheless be "simple, familiar and full of feeling" ("Beautiful").

Characters
Claire

Claire is in her 30s and is embarking on a new stage of her life with boyfriend Jason. The decision to share an apartment is the catalyst for Claire to face her past. Her cathartic "I'll Be Here" provides the audience the final clue to her arc.

Required vocal range: Soprano[4]

Jason

Jason is in his 30s and is the boyfriend of Claire. A romantic at heart, he spends the bulk of the musical attempting to further his relationship, at first by moving in ("The Spaces Between") and then by proposing. Claire consistently resists his attempts leading to the central conflict of their story arc ("Fine").

Required vocal range: Tenor[4]

Deb

In her mid twenties, Deb is a cynical and defensive grad student who is struggling to find focus in her life. She meets struggling artist Warren when he finds her thesis notes in the street.

Required vocal range: Mezzo[4]

Warren

The cheerful and sometimes annoyingly optimistic Warren sees beauty in the simple things in life, delivering the musical's message and final number ("Beautiful").

Required vocal range: Tenor[4]

Musical numbers
  • "One by One by One" – Warren and Company
  • "Don't Wanna be Here" – Deb
  • "The Space Between" – Jason
  • "Let Things Go" – Claire
  • "Dear Professor Thompson, Pt. 1" – Deb
  • "Life Story" – Warren
  • "Dear Professor Thompson, Pt. 2" – Deb
  • "I'm Trying" – Claire and Jason
  • "Saturday at the Met" – Company
  • "Favorite Places" – Jason
  • "Sort-Of Fairy Tale" – Warren and Deb
  • "Fine" – Jason and Claire
  • "Big Picture" – Company
  • "Hundred-Story City" – Jason and Company
  • "Party Interlude" – Claire
  • "Calm" – Deb
  • "Life Story" (Reprise) – Warren
  • "Gotta Get Out" – Claire
  • "Rooftop Duet" / "Falling" – Company
  • "I'll Be Here" – Claire
  • "Beautiful" – Warren and Deb

There were two additional songs, written for Claire and Jason respectively, entitled "Canceling the Party" and "Seeing You There", which were cut from the production.[5][6]

Productions

In 2012 Squabbalogic and Darlinghurst Theatre[7] premiered the Adam Gwon penned chamber musical Ordinary Days, with Michael Falzon originating the role of Jason in Australia.[8] Directed by Grace Barnes and under the musical direction of Paul Geddes, the show starred Rachael Beck as Claire, as well as Erica Lovell (Deb) and Jay James-Moody (Warren). Set in New York, Ordinary Days was sung entirely acoustically, with the sole support of Paul Geddes on piano.[9]

In 2015, Ordinary Days played La Comédie Nation in Paris, France, marking the musical's French premiere. Produced by Broadway au Carré, the show was directed by American director Colton Pometta with musical direction by John Florencio at the piano. The show starred Prisca Demarez as Claire, Emmanuel Suarez as Jason, Lauren Taylor Berkman as Deb and Lisandro Nesis as Warren.[10]

In 2017, Ordinary Days will grace the Loft at Chapel Off Chapel. Produced by Pursued By Bear, the show is directed by Tyran Parke with musical direction from Stephanie Lewendon-Lowe at the piano. The cast is made up of Brittanie Shipway as Claire, Matthew Hamilton as Jason, Nicola Bowman as Deb and Joel Granger as Warren.

The amateur London Revival took place from 27th-30th September at the Bridewell Theatre, Fleet Street. Produced by Sedos, with direction by Yojiro Ichikawa and musical direction from Ed Curry. Kate Gledhill and Glen Jordan play Deb and Warren, while Louisa Roberts and Inti Conde play Claire and Jason. [11]

In 2018, Ordinary Days played Teatro Border in Buenos Aires, Argentina, marking the musical’s Argentine and Spanish language premiere, adapted by Marcos Micheloni. Produced by Mario Micheloni, the show was directed by American director Colton Pometta with musical direction by Mariano Homps and Rocco Aguado at the piano. The show starred Sofía Rangone as Claire, Argentino Molinuevo as Jason, Manuela del Campo and Maca Giraldez as Deb and Lisandro Nesis and Michel Hersch as Warren.[12]

The Off-Broadway Revival of Ordinary Days opened at the Clurman Theatre, in Theatre Row, in the fall of 2018. The show was directed by Jonathan Silverstein, with musical directions by John Bell. It was produced by Keen Company (Jonathan Silverstein, Artistic Director; Ashley DiGiorgi, Managing Producer). This production included new orchestrations created for Keen by Tony winner Bruce Coughlin (The Light in the Piazza). The show starred Whitney Bashor as Claire, Marc delaCruz as Jason, Sarah Lynn Marion as Deb, and Kyle Sherman as Warren. Scenic design by Steven Kemp, costume design by Jennifer Paar, lighting design by Anshuman Bhatia, and sound design by Alex Hawthorn. The show was nominated for "Best Revival of a Musical" in the 85th Annual Drama League Awards and the cast received outstanding reviews from The New York Times, Times Square Chronicle, New York Theatre Guide, and The Gay City News - among others.

London based company Curious Tales Theatre staged an amateur revival of Ordinary Days at The Bread and Roses Theatre for 5th-16th March 2019. Under the direction of Phoebe Rhodes and musical direction of Adam Parrish, the performance featured live painting by artists and performers Max Panks (Jason) and Kathryn Kitchener (Claire). The paintings (set at opposite ends of the stage), came together during "I'll Be Here" and becomes the focal point of the painting in "Beautiful" [13]

The Irish premiere took place in the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin in September 2019. It was produced by Niall Gallagher and the Rising Theatre Company, and directed by Andrea Basquille. Musical Direction was by David Wray. [14]

Hamilton Theatre Project, of Hamilton, Ontario premiered "Ordinary Days" to a sold out audience at the Staircase Theatre on January 29, 2020. Directed by Hamilton’s Luke Brown and with musical direction by Ancaster’s Kate Boose, Ordinary Days is performed by a local quartet of performers that includes Vicktoria Adam, Jeff Giles, Amber Mills and Nick Settimi.[15]

Previous casts
Production Year Claire Jason Deb Warren
Finborough[16] 2008 Julie Atherton Kenneth Avery-Clark Hayley Gallivan Lee William-Davis
Adirondack Theater Festival[17] 2009 Amy Justman Will Reynolds Dana Steingold Adam Armstrong
Black Box[18] 2009 Lisa Brescia Hunter Foster Kate Wetherhead Jared Gertner
Trafalgar Studio, 2[19] 2011 Julie Atherton Daniel Boys Alexia Khadime Lee William-Davis
Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney[20] 2012 Rachael Beck Michael Falzon Erica Lovell Jay James-Moody
London Theatre Workshop[21] 2014 Marcia Brown Oliver Watton Olga-Marie Pratt Anton Tweedale
Comédie Nation, Paris[22] 2015 Prisca Demarez Emmanuel Suarez Lauren Taylor Berkman Lisandro Nesis
Versus Teatre, Barcelona[23] 2015 Gracia Fernández / Maria Santalluisa Víctor Gómez / Ferran Guiu Lourdes Fabrés / Laura Daza Xavi Duch / Albert Bolea
Cameri Theatre[24] 2016 Naama Nahum Shachaf Ifhar Shani Shauli Ben Naftali
Teatro Serrador, Rio de Janeiro[25] 2016 Gabi Porto / Fernanda Gabriela Hugo Bonemer / Mau Alves Julia Morganti / Tecca Ferreira Caio Loki / Victor Maia
Backyard Theatre, Wellington[26] 2016 Laura Loach Martin Tidy Brigid Boyle Michael Stebbings
London Theatre Workshop,[27] 2017 Kirby Hughes Alistair Frederick Nora Perone Neil Cameron
Pursued By Bear 2017 Brittanie Shipway Matthew Hamilton Nicola Bowman Joel Granger
Amateur London Revival - Bridewell Theatre 2017 Louisa Roberts Inti Conde Kate Gledhill Glen Jordan
Great Canadian Theatre Company 2017 Jennifer Cecil Gab Desmond Katie Ryerson Zach Council
Soho Upstairs @ Soho Theatre[28] 2018 Harriet Taylor Guido Garcia Lueches Wallis Hamilton Felton Nir Kitaro
Teatro Border, Buenos Aires[29] 2018 Sofía Rangone Argentino Molinuevo Manuela del Campo / Maca Giraldez Lisandro Nesis / Michel Hersch
Keen Company, Off-Broadway 2018 Whitney Bashor Marc delaCruz Sarah Lynn Marion Kyle Sherman
The Bread and Roses Theatre, London[30] 2019 Kathryn Kitchener Max Panks Katie Forge David Murray
Smock Alley, Dublin 2019 Roisin Sullivan Sean Riddick Julie Power Niall Gallagher
Nuevo Teatro Alcalá, Madrid 2020 Marina Pastor Victor Gómez / Nacho Brande Laura Enrech Oriol Burés

Recordings
Original cast recording

Original Release Date: 2010[31]

Label: Ghostlight Music and lyrics: Adam Gwon

Miscellaneous Recordings

"I'll Be Here" is included on the album Go Back Home, by Audra McDonald, released in 2013.[32] Also recorded by Liz Calloway, live at the Metropolitan Room 2015, and appears on The Essential Liz Calloway CD.[33]

References
  1. Isherwood, Charles (October 26, 2009). "Where Little-Town Blues Melt Away, So Can Dreams". New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  2. "Musical Numbers". Rodgers & Hammerstein. Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. "Foster, Brescia, Gertner And Wetherhead To Star In Roundabout's Ordinary Days, Runs 10/2-12/13". BroadwayWorld.com. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  4. "ORDINARY DAYS and SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE - Equity Principal Audition". Broadway World. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  5. "Canceling the Party". New Musical Theatre. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  6. "Ordinary Days Musical Numbers". Rogers & Hammerstein Organisation. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  7. "From showstoppers to stripped-back charm". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  8. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/out-about/from-metal-to-mature-acts/story-fn9d31nx-1226250942267
  9. Bridget Cormack (23 January 2012). "Ordinary Days". The Australian. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  10. Patrick Honoré (27 January 2018). "Ordinary Days - La Comédie Nation, Paris". MusicalTheatreReview.com. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  11. "ORDINARY DAYS". Sedos.
  12. Daniel Falcone (22 September 2018). "Ordinary Days - Crítica- "CÓMO TODOS LOS DIAS"". Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  13. "Ordinary Days at The Bread and Roses".
  14. https://smockalley.com/ordinary-days/
  15. "Hamilton, Ontario, Theatre: Ordinary Days by Allison Jones". www.viewmag.com. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  16. Mark Shenton (5 November 2008). "Ordinary Days". The Stage Reviews. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  17. "Ordinary Days at the Adirondack Theater Festival". Adirondack Theater Festival. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  18. "Lisa Brescia Chats with Journal News about WICKED, Ordinary Days and Andrew Lloyd Webber". Broadway World.com. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  19. Orr, Jake (14 February 2011). "Review: Ordinary Days". ayoungertheatre.com. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  20. Jo Litson (28 January 2012). "Ordinary Days foursome hits sigh note". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  21. "Ordinary Days at London Theatre Workshop". London Theatre Guide. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  22. "Ordinary days" (in Catalan). Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  23. "DIES NORMALS (Ordinary days)" (in Catalan). Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  24. Jo Litson (9 December 2015). "Ordinary Days foursome hits sigh note". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  25. "Elenco de 'Ordinary Days' apresenta canções do musical". Globo.com. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  26. Friday, Shannon (1 October 2016). "Ordinary Days - Delicately moving". Theatreview.org.nz. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  27. Lukes, Edward (1 June 2017). "Review: Ordinary Days". onceaweektheatre.com. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  28. https://www.facebook.com/OrdinaryDaysinLondon/
  29. https://www.facebook.com/bordercomunidaddearte>
  30. "Ordinary Days". Curious Tales Theatre. 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  31. "Ordinary Days [Cast Recording]". Amazon. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  32. Cover of I'll Be Home
  33. Digital booklet from The Essential Liz Calloway, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5637c7e9e4b018ccb36e1a88/t/565f5ca4e4b05a14ac7617fb/1449090212305/liz-itunesbook.pdf
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