30 DAYS OF NYMF: Day 3 The Kid Who Would Be Pope

Day 3 The Kid Who Would Be Pope

By Tom and Jack Megan

Book, Music and Lyrics

As brothers, the road to co-writing THE KID WHO WOULD BE POPE began in grade school. Music was a constant when we were kids. All six kids and both parents played instruments, sang and shared it in the evening after dinner. Music and theater gave imaginative possibility to daily school life. When we saw Mary Martin leaping out a window, singing and flying, we thought "Yeah, that seems pretty normal. Why aren't we all doing that?!" Our days were underscored by some invisible orchestra. And The Beatles.

So as kids, we were wired for receptivity when, on ONE FATEFUL DAY, we saw the opening scenes of a certain iconic movie. You know the one. Starts with a shot from above the clouds, sweeping into a breathtaking view of the Austrian alps -- camera circling 360 degrees around one luminous peak as a beautiful young woman - bursting with joy! - runs to the top, arms open and sings to all of nature: "The Hills are alive..."

Some years later, we decided to create a piece about a young boy in a hostile environment who comes upon that truly extraordinary adult - a teacher who sees what is special in him, who celebrates the joy of artistic expression, drama, song, and nature. "The Kid Who Would Be Pope" was born and within it, the memory of that special nun, Sister Maria.

And how do brothers collaborate together? We create the story and build the structure over many long sessions. We don't start till we think we got it! Then we both write lyrics as well as libretto and compose. We go off alone, come back and edit each other's work, write together etc. It always goes peacefully and with no hard feelings- well mostly. And we talk a lot - in fact, a whole lot as we get closer and closer to opening the show with new material, new insights, and high hopes.

To buy tickets or to learn more about The Kid Who Would Be Pope go to www.nymf.org/thekidwhowouldbepope or call 212-352-3101