"Peter & Wendy" & John

[ellenkushner]

Last week, while discussing the Power of Myth, I went off on a jag about PETER AND WENDY, a wistful, sophisticated and adult musical version of the Barrie play, with music by the late Scottish fiddle wizard Johnny Cunningham.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/ellen_kushner/1418.html

Though the Alula CD, with music and text, is a wonderful piece of work, I've been lamenting the fact that, with Johnny's death a year ago,we're not likely to see the show live onstage again . . . then I opened the flyer from Boston's World Music listing upcoming productions, and read:

JOHNNY CUNNINGHAM TRIBUTE CONCERT
Phil Cunningham, Seamus Egan, Kevin Burke, Susan McKeown and Aidan Brennan headline a very special tribute concert to remember beloved Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham. They will perform selections from Peter and Wendy, along with Johnny's finest compositions and favorite tunes.
http://www.worldmusic.org/concertfr.html

Susy McKeown was Johnny's original vocalist for "Peter and Wendy." OK, it won't be the whole thing, it won't have the actress or the puppets . . . but still, a chance to hear her sing some of those songs again is precious.

The concert's at the Somerville Theater on Feb. 4th.
Unfortunately, I'll be in NYC in February. If anyone knows whether this is being repeated in other cities, please let us all know.

I have a lot of sweet memories of Johnny, whom I got to know over my years in Boston. I hadn't talked to him in a long time, but a year ago, when I realized that my THOMAS THE RHYMER would soon be reissued and I hadn't done squat about publicity, I remembered that John had once been enthusiastic about producing a musical version with Scots actors and musicians. I wrote to ask if he was still interested, and got back an e-mail saying:

"Can't wait to get together soon. Maybe we can collaborate on something that will change the world...or at least the eating habits of Atkins diet fans. I miss you both so *cawl* (NYC pronunciation) me [....]"

It was dated Dec. 14th, 2003, 9:51 p.m.

He died of a heart attack the evening of Dec. 15th.

You can read more about him, and contribute to a memory book, at:
http://www.johnnycunningham.com/

Comments

[kessa.livejournal.com]

My gods...I didn't know he'd passed. I spent so much time playing with him in sessiuns at the Green Briar in Brighton. I have been out of the music scene for about four years now, and didn't know he'd died until I just read this.

I'm sitting here at my desk at work, in tears. He was a rare man indeed.

[redcrowstudio.livejournal.com]

He is much missed. Silly Wizard was the first trad band I fell in love with, and his post-Wizard work was just as magical. I'm sorry I'm nowhere near the Northeast for the concert.

As for a Thomas the Rhymer musical version, ooh that would have been sweet. Alas.