Overview
Synopsis
Based on the book of the same title by Mary Hayley Bell, and later produced as a movie in the hands of Richard Attenborough, Whistle Down the Wind is set in a small, deeply religious town in Louisiana of the 1950s. A poor farming family led by father, Boone, and his three children--Swallow, Brat, and Poor Baby--have recently buried their mother and they are still struggling with the grief. As Christmas approaches and the family cannot afford any presents or luxuries, the three children are desperate to find something to hold on to and believe in. One day, they find a stranger injured and hiding in their run-down barn. Unknown to the children The Man is probably an escaped convict, but Swallow seizes on the idea that he is Jesus and the rumor quickly spreads amongst the children of the town. Meanwhile, the town is on the lookout for the runaway convict, urged by their Sheriff to stay vigilant. When Candy, a rebellious African-American youth learns of the prisoner’s hide-out, she is quick to reveal it to the town and the residents all descend on Boone’s farm. However, mysteriously, The Man has disappeared and Boone realizes that Swallow still needs him to depend upon and restore her faith in their family unit.
Show Information
- Book
- Andrew Lloyd Webber , Patricia Knop , Gale Edwards
- Music
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Lyrics
- Jim Steinman
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Whistle Down the Wind by Mary Hayley Bell
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1996
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- louisiana, america, 1959
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Child, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
The Vaults of Heaven - Minister, Ensemble
I Never Get What I Pray For - Swallow, Brat, Poor Baby
Home by Now - Swallow, Brat, Poor Baby
It Just Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This - Boone
Whistle Down the Wind - Boone, Swallow
The Vow - Swallow, Brat, Poor Baby
Cold - Edward, Ensemble
Unsettled Scores - The Man
If Only - The Man, Swallow
Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts - Amos, Candy
Safe Haven - Ensemble
Long Overdue for a Miracle - Child Ensemble
When Children Rule the World - Child Ensemble
Annie Christmas - The Man
No Matter What - The Man, Child Ensemble
Act Two
Try Not to Be Afraid - The Man, Swallow
A Kiss if a Terrible Thing to Waste - Amos, The Man, Swallow
If Only [reprise] - Swallow, Poor Baby
Charlie Christmas - The Man, Swallow, Brat, Poor Baby
Off Ramp Exit to Paradise - Candy
Safe Haven [reprise] - Ensemble
Wrestle With the Devil - Preacher, Candy, Amos, Ensemble
The Hunt - Sheriff, Ensemble
Nature of the Beast - The Man, Swallow
Whistle Down the Wind [reprise] - Boone, Swallow, Brat, Poor Baby
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher