Hieronymus, A Musical Fantasy

by T. E. Breitenbach

Overview

Hieronymus, is a colorful, romantic fantasy about the medieval artist, Hieronymus Bosch (painter of the Garden of Earthly Delights) — When Hieronymus Bosch begins courting Anna, the daughter of a wealthy art patron, he finds himself in a difficult position. It seems there are a great many odd creatures living in his house, a result of his over-active imagination. This fact he attempts to hide from Anna and the public. Anna soon discovers the creatures, though she is instantly won over by the cute Sophie, and the funny pair of Otto and Gregor. However, Erasmus, a jealous admirer of Anna, also learns of the creatures and attempts to have Hieronymus arrested by Church authorities for the practice of black magic (a serious matter in these times). Though Anna is brave at first about the creatures, she is also concerned about having a normal and wholesome home in which to raise a future family. She attempts to change Hieronymus’ ways, an improbable wish, and she is left to do some serious soul-searching. As Hieronymus' imagination seems to lead him deeper and deeper into trouble, he abandons it for a time, even denying the existence of his beloved creatures. Near the end, the desperate Erasmus kidnaps Sophie, and it is Anna who rises to the occasion, pleading with Hieronymus to use his imagination again in order to save her. Awakened from his doldrums, Hieronymus (in a frightening scene) brings to life every object and creature in his house to help rescue Sophie.

"T. E. Breitenbach, the creator of 'Hieronymus', is himself a painter of fantasy, well known for his masterwork 'Proverbidioms', and as such he lends his own personal angst to the show—the feeling that most everyone doesn’t really get it, even those closest to you. The passion, the joy, the pain—the creation and reality of such."

"Hieronymus has all of the emotional highs and lows that we so enjoy in a musical. The love story is warm and uplifting, the villain is hellishly evil, the melodies are lush and singable, and the dances splendid and exciting. The comedy and the fabulous creatures are unforgettable.

"This show is about imagination, and, whether staged simply or extravagantly, it offers directors great creative opportunities."

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013490055
Publisher:	Premiere Musicals Guild
Publication date:	11/18/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	348 KB

About the Author

T. E. Breitenbach is best known for his painting Proverbidioms, a raucous and comical depiction of over 300 common proverbs and clichés. He also collaborated with Jim Morrison of The Doors, before Morrison's death, on a painting intended for use on his An American Prayer album. Breitenbach studied architecture and fine arts (in an independent study program) at the University of Notre Dame and was the youngest person to receive the Rome Prize Fellowship in visual arts. Inspired by the castles of Europe, he returned home and began to build a studio/castle to house his art and eventually become a museum. Breitenbach went on to work in many other media too. Besides his illustrated fantasy novel, Grumparar's the New Creatures, he has written a book of painting secrets and two musicals (music and all), including Hieronymus a partly autobiographical story about medieval fantasy artist Hieronymus Bosch and his over-active imagination.