Jeannie

An Original Musical

Project Development

The ten years preceding my own mother’s death were difficult ones. Like the role of Hannah in my musical, Jeannie, I was the daughter who juggled caring for my mother with being a wife, mother, and a professional musician. Despite the available literature on being part of the “sandwich generation” and for dealing with a dying parent, I felt alone in the sadness and challenges I faced. I wondered if it was normal to feel overwhelmed, resentful, exhausted, and inept.

It is my hope that Jeannie will promote honest discussions of the universal challenges families face when dealing with a parent’s end-of-life. The musical examines this difficult time from multiple vantage points: from the mother who fights vehemently to maintain her voice and independence as she’s challenged by failing mind and health, from the unique relationship between mother and each of her adult children, and from the shifting relationships between the adult children who navigate this time with different skills and perspectives. Much of the storyline and multiple themes are based on my experience, although exaggerated and in some situations, downplayed.  Because it is such a personal story, I chose to work independently, composing the music and writing the story, dialogue, and lyrics.

On April 5, 2025, I presented eleven Jeannie songs in a public performance in Chester, CT with principal singers, chorus, and a pianist.  From this performance, I gained not only recordings and videos, but positive feedback and encouragement to complete the work. It was so successful in touching individuals that many audience members and musicians felt comfortable sharing their personal experiences similar to the Jeannie story.  Even months afterwards, audience members have commented on loving a particular song and have been able to hum a few bars.

In August 2025, after completing Jeannie, I ran a small workshop with colleagues to discuss and critique the work in its entirety. Their feedback was positive, and a few valuable edits were made. I anticipate composing the overture and curtain call music in the next month.  

I believe that the musical Jeannie shows great promise.  I look forward to working with producers to polish it and prepare it for a successful debut.

A bittersweet, tender, and funny musical about an aging parent and well-intentioned children

View Upcoming Performances

The Synopsis

A large clock on the back wall announces each of the twelve hours symbolizing the twelve scenes of the musical, Jeannie. With the tick of each hour, Jeannie and her children: Ernest, Martha, and Hannah, face increasingly more difficult challenges as Jeannie faces end-of-life.

Hour One opens with Hannah’s family and friends Christmas caroling at Jeannie’s house. Jeannie’s declining mental acuity is evident with her agitated response to the song, Ding Dong! and her failure to recognize her daughter and family.

In the song, The Hourglass, Hannah tries to find reasons for Jeannie’s mistake. Afterwards, Hannah enters Jeannie’s house as Jeannie tells her grandchildren how to catch a man in the song, The Sexiest Attribute.

In Hour Two, Jeannie’s children are faced with a decision of whether to seek emergency medical treatment for an ailing Jeannie. In the song, Tie That Bell! each adult child reveals different levels of acceptance of Jeannie’s failing health.

At the hospital in Hour Three, Hannah is overwhelmed with the demands of her mother’s care (Medical Acronym Song) while Jeannie expresses her frustration of being hospitalized (Tick, Tick!).

When she returns home, Jeannie’s well-intentioned children try to plan her future in Hour Four. As Jeannie’s children are deep in discussion over her future care, Jeannie steps away and sings, Mutiny. She vows to fight them with each dying breath.

Jeannie then interrupts her children and takes back control. She makes her children promise that she will live the rest of her days in her beloved home.  After promising, Ernest, Martha, and Hannah express their concern about keeping their promise, fearful of letting their mother down and going against her wishes (Promises).

In the song, Mom’s Flight Plan, Ernest, Martha, and Hannah discuss their different views on Jeannie’s life expectancy. In addition, Mom’s Flight Plan asks, “What if we are all the same brand of plane as she? Will we have the same flight plan?”

In Hour Five, Ernest sings Jump, Jump, Jump! to convince Hannah to stop trying to please Jeannie. “The more you excel, the more she’ll rebel.” Hannah reflects upon Jeannie’s negative personality change as she ages.  Ernest sings Raindrops stating that Hannah is caught in Jeannie’s monsoon season of the end of life. He encourages Hannah to continue her good work, to “shine on and make bright rainbows in stormy times.”

Jeannie pushes her emergency alert button after a mishap in the kitchen in Hour Six.  Jeannie revels in the male attention she receives from the emergency EMT and Firemen (Men Come Running).

In Hour Seven, a visiting nurse questions Hannah about whether Jeannie can live independently at home after hearing about the EMT’s and firemen’s visit to Jeannie’s house. Hannah responds with the song, The Tightrope, about walking that razor thin line between allowing Jeannie to live and die as she wants, and the demands it causes.

Hours Eight through Twelve are still in development with dialogue and songs that promise to make audiences laugh and cry as Jeannie and her children navigate Jeannie’s final days. Please consider seeing the complete work in the future!

jeannie song samples and lyrics

"Jeannie" Musicians

  • Tom Cuffari, Pianist
  • Ernest – Jeffrey Goble, Baritone
  • Hannah – Ria Ipa, Soprano
  • Martha – Anne Maguire, Mezzo – Soprano
  • Jeannie – Kathleen Reveille, Mezzo – Soprano

The Hourglass

The Song

 

The Lyrics

(choking up, almost in a whisper)
She, she didn’t know it was me.
(expressive full voice)
Did the darkness hide my face!
Is there a good reason why
she did not know her baby daughter.
Does darkness cloud her mind?
If so, please turn back the hands of time.

Mother seemed confused.
She didn’t recognize me.
Is there a logical reason
that could dispel my thoughts and fears?
Will the future bring many more tears in her final years?

From the first grains of sand that fall,
We celebrate the milestones of life.
We applaud the first steps of a child.
Each small step is a step forward in life.
So many firsts to cherish and cheer.
So many firsts to treasure and hold dear.

A baby’s first smile and first waving goodbye
are met with oohs and aahs from their loved ones.
We applaud the first steps of a child.
But what about the first missteps of life?
The first missteps, the dimming of her bright mind,
The shadows that block her mind.

Mother seemed confused.
She didn’t recognize me.
Will there be more days ahead that
She’ll not know her own daughter.
Could this be the new status quo as the hourglass runs low?
As the hourglass runs low.

The Sexiest Attribute

The Song

 

The Lyrics

JEANNIE: I’ve loved, and I’ve been loved by three men or was it more? I’ve held them in the best times and when we’ve said goodbye.

HANNAH: The stories she can tell of how she met each man of hers.
Her life was blessed with romance and love.
She is now alone.
She has no more hands to hold.
Her mem’ries fade, but her heart remembers.

JEANNIE: My life’s been filled with love from three men or maybe more? I built a life with each one, and now a life alone.

HANNAH: Her life had been complete with each man’s steadfast love for her. They cherished each day that she was beside them.
She is now alone.
She has no more hands to hold.
Her mem’ries fade, but her heart remembers the day’s full of love.

JEANNIE: I was a poor farmer’s girl who wanted more.

HANNAH: It’s true she came from modest roots, but she was adored.

JEANNIE: Some wonder why men look my way.

HANNAH: It’s been the question to this day.

JEANNIE: Why is it so surprising?

HANNAH: How is she so mesmerizing?

JEANNIE: Women ask me.

HANNAH: Why has she been so lucky?

JEANNIE: What is my secret?

HANNAH: Your secret?

JEANNIE: Why did they love me?
What drew them to me?
How did I snare three?
How could these men love me?
What could I offer them?
What is my secret?

HANNAH: I’ve always wanted to know.

JEANNIE: It’s not so difficult to charm a good man.
You show a little interest and use some classic polish.
You don’t need to flaunt your physical traits!

HANNAH: (jesting) Like no booty shakes?

JEANNIE: Our sexiest asset is often forgotten.
Now, where was I going?
Oh, yes!
You do not need to strut your stuff to lure them,
or do such foolishness.

HANNAH: What do you suggest?

JEANNIE: You’ve got much to gain when you use your brain.
Don’t go playing games.
Don’t dull your wits for men.
Don’t hide your intellect.
That is my secret.
Your sexiest attribute is your brain.
So, bait your hook with savvy, intelligent refinement.
You must dig deeper past shallow features.

HANNAH: To catch a keeper!

JEANNIE: So, ladies please cast your nets with engaging conversation. Be interesting, intriguing by employing your sexiest asset.

HANNAH: Your sexiest asset.

JEANNIE: I’ve loved, and I’ve been loved by three men or was it more? My mind was my best asset and now I’ve lost it too.

HANNAH and JEANNIE: The stories she/I can tell are far and few between. Her/My life was blessed, but details have faded.
She/I is/am now alone.
She/I has/have no more hands to hold.
Her/My mem’ries fade, but my heart remembers.

JEANNIE: My heart remembers what I lost.

MUTINY

The Song

 

The Lyrics

It’s mutiny! They’ve turned on me, my progeny.
They look at me with scrutiny for frailties.
How dare they smugly plan my life,
Stealing what’s my legal right.
It’s my life to live.
(Jeannie points to herself.)
My life!

They say I should do this or that, who made them boss?
I will not take their marching orders lying down.
They want to clip my wings, but I have plans to fly.
There’s much more to do before I die.

(Jeannie looks around the table observing her children making plans without consulting her.)

They sit around the fam’ly table in their old familiar seats.
While they relegate me to the children’s table.
When did they turn the tables on me?
I’m still their mother.
I’m not a chi-uld!

(Jeannie stomps her cane in the rhythm of “chi-uld.”)

They say it’s only temporary, that’s bullshit.
I will not let them take my independence.
I won’t be smothered by their help.
I’ll escape their shackles.
Watch out, I’m ready to fight.

(Jeannie takes a boxer’s stance.)

They will not know what hit them, my progeny.
I’ll thwart their ev’ry move.

(Jeannie looks committed but sighs with fatigue.)

I’ll fight them with each breath.

(Jeannie takes a large breath.)
No one will tell me (Jeannie takes a deep breath)
me (deep breath) how to live!

Mom’s Flight Plan

The Song

 

The Lyrics

ERNEST: If Mom was an airplane,
she’d be flying with great strain.
She’d be circling ‘bove the ground with her landing gear down.

MARTHA: Do not put Mother in her grave.

ERNEST: She’s had a grand ride.
She’s travelled far and wide.
You can not deny that her final flight is coming.

MARTHA: If Mother was an airplane, she’ll fly in no time.
She’ll be ready to soar like before in her prime.
(Ernest and Hannah try to object, Martha waves them off.)

MARTHA: She’d be truly appalled to be judged for a small stall.
You can’t deny that she’ll want to fly tomorrow’s sky.

ERNEST: or die with one last try.

HANNAH: She’s flying with no lights,
so clouded by old age.
Her mind is not sound, she cannot find the ground.
I fear she’s flying solo.
She’ll let no one sit beside her.
She flies with great strain letting no one ease her pain.

MARTHA: She’ll soar up in the sky.

ERNEST: She’s flying with gears down.

HANNAH: She is flying with no steering, persevering through daily living. MARTHA: She’s had a grand ride.

ERNEST: She’s travelled far and wide.

HANNAH: But if she is an airplane, are not we built…the same?

TUTTI: Are we built the same?
If Mother is an airplane, are we built from the same design?
When will we fly ‘bove the ground with our landing gear down?

MARTHA: Will we soar above the clouds?

ERNEST: or will we stay earthbound?

HANNAH: If we are all airplanes, what are our flight plans?
If we are built the same?

Jump, Jump, Jump!

The Song

 

The Lyrics

When Mom says, “Jump,” you jump, jump, jump.
But mark my words, you’ll never jump high enough.
When she needs you, you run to her side.
But give it up, it will not be fast enough.
You do so much to care for her.
But it will never be enough.

You cook when she can’t stir.
She wants things as they were.
You’ll add her sweet and salt.
But sister, Mom will always find fault.
You jump when she is sore.
She can’t run anymore.
You can’t win Mom’s approval.
She wants her life to be like before.

You jump through hoops for Mom.
But don’t you see?
She wants to jump through her own hoops with no help.
You do what she can’t expect her to rant.
The more you excel, the more she’ll rebel!
So, give it up, you’ll never win her approval.
Give it up!