“New York Stories” is currently a 25-minute song cycle by Joseph Colaneri, portraying a love triangle in 1930s New York. Anthony, a closeted man, has an affair with Luke, an openly gay who works at the diner that Anthony frequents. Monica, Anthony’s wife, suspects his infidelity. The story unfolds with songs like “The Diner,” “Bluebirds,” and “Fluttering Moments of Love.” Anthony tries to reassure Monica of his commitment to her, but plans to meet Luke get in the way. Monica, troubled, imagines Jesse confirming Anthony’s homosexuality in “The Man That Once Was There.” The climax of the story occurs at Coney Island, where the heightened emotions of Anthony, Monica and Luke collide, creating a gripping and emotionally charged experience.
Filmography: @DrLoveTN
Music, Book, and Lyrics By: JOSEPH COLANERI
Directed and Choreographed By: NORA JONES
Associate Music Director: NICHOLAS BENEFIELD
Stage Manager: ALAYNA WILBURN
Assistant Stage Manager: MADDIE MUELLER
Vocal Coach: CHASE LOWREY
Costume Design: DOROTHY BRIGGS
Intimacy Coordinator: KELBY HORNE
Promotional Managers: BROOKE CARRICO and JOSH FERMIN
Playbill Design: MICHAEL GEARY
Cast
Anthony: CAMERON LEWIS
Monica: OLIVIA WHITNER
Luke: HENRY BEDDOE
Jesse: JAVIER CASTRO
Society Members: EMILY CHOLEVA, JOSH FERMIN, MICHAEL GUALTIERI, VICTORIA LOURDES, NICOLETTE MANRIQUE, and JUDE WHALEN
New York Stories Orchestra
Conductor – JOSEPH COLANERI; Piano – NICHOLAS BENEFIELD; Reeds – MIMI
ANDERSON, SETH TRAMEL, and JACOB YIM; French Horn – JACOB ANDREWS; Trumpets – JACOB BOYER and DUNCAN BLACKSTOCK; Trombone – SHELBY MCDONALD; Violins – KARA SCHLENK and DANI ALEXANDER; Viola – KARISSA SZAREK; Cello – GRANT BROWN; Bass – IZZY GO; Percussion – ANDRE BURTON and MATTHEW LOVE
New York Stories Choir
Sopranos – EMILY IVES, JAYLAH MCMURTRY, ELLA TRAMONTINA, and
NICOLE WHITE; Altos – GRAHAM HAMBY, IJ MAYER and SAGE MCANDREW; Tenors – SAM COOPER, KYLE MCCURLEY, and ANTHONY VAIANA; Basses – JACE BRYANT, TUCKER BRUINSMA, and JACK CORCORAN
PA: Welcome to Belmont University’s McAfee Concert Hall Nora: Hi everybody and welcome to… PA: texting and the use of flash photography are strictly forbidden during the concert. Please sit back and enjoy the performance, and thank you for visiting Belmont University. Nora: Ok, and Hi, thank you all for attending Joe Colaneri’s senior recital.
I am Nora Jones, I was lucky enough to direct his beautiful work. I just wanted to come out here and give you guys a content warning. There is a fake gun that is used during this production. If you find that triggering, please exit the audience now,
We do not want to upset any of you, thank you all for being here so much, and Enjoy the show! (Music playing) Anthony: Stolen glances, keeping, secrets, hiding in the dark… with, stars shining bright, safe in the night, with… Luke: Hi Anthony: Hi Society Members: No matter, where you go, we’re always watching you…
Anthony: I’m here with you… Luke: I’m here with you dear… Monica: Of course dear, I just wanted to let you know that I… I love you… Look at the bluebirds flying, high in the sky. No cares or woes,
Their hearts keep winging on by. Lets fly, like those precious birds, way up in the sky. I’ve read all the books. But why, can’t you say that you love me? The way, that I love you. I’ve read all the books. And one day, you will realize, you love me. and we’ll fly like those bluebirds… do. Jesse: Anthony, I haven’t seen you in a while. I was hoping you’d stop by… Anthony: That’s not very likely, Jesse: and why’s that? Anthony: because that’s not what I… who I am. Jesse: Trust me baby, the sooner you accept… Anthony: There’s nothing to accept.
It was one mistake, and won’t be happening again. Jesse: Oh, well the next time, you want to make a little “mistake,” you know where to find me. Oh and Anthony, Anthony: What? Jesse: Tell your wife, I say hello. Monica: I’ve read all the books. and one day,
You will realize, you love me. and we’ll fly like those bluebirds… Anthony. Anthony: Sorry they kept me late at work, I came home as soon as I could. Monica: It’s all right. I just missed you. I love you. Anthony: That sky, full of stars, Monica: Anthony
Anthony: will be ours, in the end, but till then… I just wanna dance with you… Monica: I want that too Anthony… Anthony: I just wanna dance with… Oh just imagine the things we could do, romantic evenings to hold you. Don’t worry darling, no need to dismay. Our future starting today.
Oh just imagine the things we could do. Monica: I just wanna dance with you… Anthony: To be with you and to hold you close. Monica: I just wanna dance with… Anthony: My wallet, I left my wallet at the diner. Monica: The diner?
Anthony: I- need it I promise, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Anthony: You’re still here? Luke: I was hoping you’d come back. I see you got my note. Oh just imagine the things we could do, romantic evenings to hold you. We’ll get some coffee to close out our days, and then we’ll hit up broadway. Oh just imagine the things we could do.
Anthony: I Just wanna dance with you… Luke: To be with you and to hold you close. Anthony: I just wanna dance with Luke: Can I see you tonight? Anthony: When? Luke: At eight, let’s meet right here at this exact spot at eight.
Anthony: In a moment, so much can change. In just a glance, not two, how I knew it was you. from that moment… my lifes been you, yes, you, luke… Luke: A stroll, / Anthony: Oh just imagine the things we could do, / Monica: That sky,
Luke: through the park, hand with hand, / Anthony: romantic evenings to hold you. / Monica: full of stars, will be ours, Anthony: We’ll get some coffee to close out our days, Luke: heart with heart, / Anthony: and then we’ll hit up broadway. / Monica: in the end,
Luke/ Monica: but till then… / Anthony: Oh just imagine the things we could do. Luke/ Monica: I just wanna dance with you… Anthony: To be with you and to hold you tight Luke: I just wanna dance with you. / Monica: I just wanna dance… A stroll
Anthony: What was I thinking, I haven’t a clue Luke: That sky full of stars, / Monica: through the park, Luke: will be ours, / Monica: hand in hand, Luke: in the end. / Monica: heart with heart. Luke/ Anthony/ Monica: But till then… Luke/ Monica: I just wanna dance with,
Anthony: I just wanna dance with, Luke/ Anthony/ Monica: I just wanna dance… Luke/ Anthony/ Monica: with you… Monica: I’ll take a gin, neat. Society Member: Ladies and Gentleman and all you freaks inbetween, put your hands together, for the one, the only, man by day, lady by night. Jesse. Jesse: Let me tell you a story, a dramatic tale, about a man who once took all he could, cause he’s the man that once was there. He’s off at work in Manhattan, she doesn’t have a clue,
He’ll meet a guy or two, sometimes a few, cause he’s the man that once was there. How ya doin? Girl better guess why I’m singing this song. Bluebirds flying away, better get your man, before he becomes the hook of my song. Is it hot in here? It’s a little… Is it dry at all? Anyways… You’ll have a man who is, no he’s the man that was, No he’s the man that once was there. Monica right? you poor, poor, poor dear. What’re you gonna do? Cause your husbands a homo. Better yet a queer. He’ll screw a guy or two, say, “I love you.”
Cause that’s the man that once was there. Now he’s there, over there, and right there… That’s the tale of the man, (the man) that once was, there! Choir: What I am dreaming most about, is you, my love (ahhh). What I am dreaming most about, is you (is you), my love (my love). The window pane may be covered in mud, but you’re what, I dream, about… Anthony: Winds are changing, all around us,
Waves crash on the shore. Hands are shaking, feet are trembling, never felt before… Luke: I’ve got you, my darling, Luke: I do. / Anthony: Never felt before… Luke: I’m here with you. Anthony: What will happen, if they catch us, out here in the dark? Luke: Oh, I’ll hold you.
No matter where you go, I’ll always be with you, cause I need you. Anthony/ Luke: Yes I need… Anthony: I’ve been so alone. Luke: No you’re not alone. Anthony: I feel so alone. Luke: Don’t feel so alone. Anthony: Oh. Anthony: Moon is setting, Luke: Sun is rising,
Anthony/ Luke: On our brand new world, where I need you… No matter where you go, I’ll always find a way, to be with you. No matter where you go, I’ll always be with you, cause I need you… Yes, I love… Cause I love you… Yes, I love…
Monica: Oh just imagine, the things we could do, you said, (Anthony: Monica.) romantic evenings you’d hold me. (I know what I said). Don’t worry darling, no need to dismay, our future starting today. (He didn’t do anything.) Oh just imagine the things we could do. (He didn’t do anything, Monica.)
I just wanna dance with you… (Are you listening to me?) I just wanna dance… (Can’t you see I love him.) with you. (Gunshot) News Clips: Governor Ron Desantis doubling down on a controversial law that limits instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in the classroom.
That’s what I believe what the scripture says, that homosexuality is a sin. A bill putting restrictions on where drag shows can take place in Tennessee has now been signed into law by governor Bill Lee. Choir: Look who’s all alone. Babies all alone.
Look whos (Babies all) alone again, in New York. Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria Company: Change will come and change will go on by… Days will come and days will change our lives… Anthony: In a moment, so much can change. Company: Look who’s all a- -lone again, in New York.
That sky, full of stars, will be yours, in the end, but till then… We just wanna dance with, We just wanna dance, with, Anthony: Why does who I love make me worth less, than any of you? Company: you… Joe: Thank you guys all for coming out and listening to what I feel is a very important story. Have a safe rest of your night, Again thank you for coming, the cast, the crew, the orchestra, the choir, I couldn’t have done this without them.
Dr. Volker, McAfee crew, thank you so much.