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Life of an Artist
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Art Samples
Character Breakdown
Lyrics Samples
Music Samples
Scene Sample
Synopsis
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
ANGRY MAN, Baritone
ANGRY PARENT, Baritone or Alto
CHORUS (Guests, Students), Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
GRAND MASTER, Bass
RYAN HUNT, Tenor
MRS. RYAN HUNT, Alto
MASTER OF CEREMONIES, Bass
JAMES OH, Tenor
RYAN'S FRIENDS, Bass, Baritone, Low Tenor, High Tenor
RYAN'S LAWYER (CHUCK), Baritone
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SYNOPSIS
Act I
A banquet is held in honor of James Oh, Tae Kwon Do's current World
Champion. James announces that, rather than remain in Korea, he plans
to journey to the U.S.A. in order to share the benefits of his martial art
with the rest of the world.
Act II
James has journeyed to the U.S.A. and established a studio. He and
his students are practicing when they are interrupted by the abrasive war
hero Ryan Hunt. Ryan picks a fight with James which he loses all too
swiftly when James breaks several of the veteran's ribs. Alone in his
hospital room, Ryan resolves to become a better person. He returns to
James' studio and becomes a student of Tae Kwon Do. Ryan advances
swiftly in his studies, but his attempts to teach his own students result in
hostilities. James manages to ease bruised emotions, explaining that
Ryan's post-war medications are to blame for his crude behaviors. On
the day of his gradation into Tae Kwon Do mastery, Ryan collapses and dies.
His war injuries were more severe than anyone suspected. Only his
drive to master Tae Kwon Do had kept the veteran alive.
Act III
Ryan's lawyer, Chuck, and Mrs. Hunt visit James Oh after Ryan's death.
Chuck informs James that Ryan has left the majority of his estate to Master
Oh's studio. (James hears Ryan's voice in the will rather than that of
the lawyer.) James refuses the money, but Mrs. Hunt convinces him to
accept Ryan's gesture of goodwill, and James relents. Still grieving
for his friend, the World Champion takes his leave of his visitors and leads
his students in practice.
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LYRICS SAMPLES
"Remember This"
When I see you,
It is as though I am seeing myself.
I dreamed your dreams
And set my goals like yours.
In a foreign country,
Where no one knew me,
I set forth on an adventurous journey.
I fought many fights and made a name
For myself and Tae Kwon Do.
I realized that Tae Kwon Do
Is not just the physical aspect,
But, more importantly, philosophy.
I am very proud of you
And of your accomplishments
In Tae Kwon Do.
You have demonstrated
Fine technique
And you’ve become a world champion,
But remember this:
Do not become a proud artist.
By having “yeo yoo”
You will be able to love and guide others.
Your technique must enhance
Your character,
Not show off your
Personal interests.
Look at me, my son.
I have learned the hard way
To become an humble artist.
I trusted technique so much
That it made me proud.
Because of this,
My last fight almost took my life.
When I thought the fight was over,
My aggressor drew a knife
And stabbed me numerous times.
See! Here are the scars from that fight,
From that fight.
Remember this:
Do not trust technique.
It is more important to maintain
A healthy and clean mind.
"Shattered Man"
I am hurt. I am broken.
I am a shattered man.
My pride has been wounded.
What is this?
With one kick my bones were shattered
Into so much pain.
I can’t believe the pain.
I’m so ashamed.
I cannot see myself.
I will not see myself.
Where do I stand?
How do I stand?
Am I too old to learn to be a better man?
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MUSIC SAMPLES
Piano-Vocals (Digitals Only)
"Master Oh/Action Philosophy"
"Prelude"
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SCENE SAMPLE
Act III
(The Oh Studio of Tae Kwon Do in America. JAMES sits behind a desk,
reflecting. An orchestral interlude plays until RYAN’S LAWYER [CHUCK] and
RYAN’S WIFE enter.)
RYAN’S LAWYER
Master Oh?
JAMES
Chuck. How are you?
RYAN’S LAWYER
Are you thinking about Ryan?
JAMES
Yes, I am.
I’m very sad he’s gone.
RYAN’S LAWYER
So am I.
He was a good friend.
Anyway,
I have something for you.
JAMES
What is it?
Something from Ryan?
Something from Ryan?
Ryan.
(RYAN’S LAWYER hands an envelope to JAMES. JAMES opens the envelope and
removes a letter, which he reads. RYAN sings the words of the letter from
offstage.)
RYAN
Master Oh. James.
By the time you read this letter,
I will have departed this world.
The reason why I write
This letter to you is because
You have been my Tae Kwon Do Master
And my best friend.
Through you,
I have learned the most
Important lesson
All mankind should know:
You have taught me how
To have peace in my life.
It is through Tae Kwon Do
That my life has been extended.
You have given so much to me,
And I have given you nothing . . .
Until now.
Although I cannot ever repay you
For what you have done,
The least I can do
Is leave you my wealth.
I know the hardships
You encounter in America.
May my money find you
Financially and socially stabilized.
May it help you be free of worry
So that you may focus on
Your true purpose in America –
Teaching Tae Kwon Do.
Good-bye, Master.
Good-bye, James, best friend.
Ryan.
(JAMES is overcome with emotion.)
JAMES
I have no right to this!
I cannot accept.
How can I receive his wealth?
He has a daughter
With a troubled heart
And a wife whose heart is broken.
How can I accept his gesture?
People do not want bad luck,
But when good luck comes their way,
They are quick to accept it.
I am tempted to accept as quickly,
But rewards taken without hard work
Are like taking in bad luck.
I have done my duty as a master.
To receive Ryan’s wealth
Is to exceed all that I have done unfairly.
Therefore, I cannot accept this!
RYAN’S WIFE
Master Oh,
You gave me back my husband.
Through Tae Kwon Do,
I saw Ryan’s health improve.
The doctors told me
He would die in months,
But you turned those hard months
Into years – years of joy.
Please accept his gesture.
His wealth belongs to you.
(RYAN’S LAWYER and RYAN’S WIFE exit. JAMES replaces the letter in its
envelope. The CHORUS/STUDENTS enter. JAMES takes the letter and places it
carefully in a desk drawer.)
JAMES
(To the CHORUS/STUDENTS.) What is the meaning of Tae Kwon Do?
CHORUS/STUDENTS
The philosophy of Tae Kwon Do
Is action philosophy!
(JAMES and the CHORUS/STUDENTS execute a jump high kick.)
JAMES AND CHORUS/STUDENTS
Hai!
(Blackout.)
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ART SAMPLES
Artwork is pending.
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