The Flying Trunk

A New Musical Based on the Story by Hans Christian Andersen

The Flying Trunk

Premiering on Stage:
May 30-June 15, 2014
Spotlight Youth Theatre
Glendale, Arizona

Album Now Available:
nimbitmusic.com/theflyingtrunk

Book & Lyrics
Bobby Sample

Music
Josh Hontz
Bobby Sample
Connor Sample
Katie Sample

Based on the Story by
Hans Christian Andersen

What's the story about?
About the show's creators
Join us on Facebook
info@flyingtrunk.net

Hear the Songs from The Flying Trunk!

September 29, 2013

We're proud to announce the release of our CD, Songs from The Flying Trunk!

Finally, we can share the musical numbers composed for the debut production in spring. Think of it as a sneak preview of the show, recorded by a gold mine of guest artists* known for their award-winning performances in Arizona theater.

Much to my amazement, we made our deadline of a September 2013 release (just barely!) despite the difficult schedule mix of the 18 artists involved. Most of the recording was handled during the summer months, wedged between travel plans, college semesters, and other show commitments.

As if writing, arranging, recording and mixing sometimes dozens of tracks per song weren't enough—with Josh completing his production wizardry even as I write this—the team took on some new challenges beyond laying down those tunes. In the case of a few of the songs, we chose to convey a bit more of the show than the song material. One example was including some of the scripted dialogue where it will overlap the musical numbers (which wasn't so tough with talented voice actors involved).

However, conjuring a feeling of a scene got a lot more complicated with the recording of "Sayonara Shiny Shonin." This song is our goof on one of those old-fashioned, comic western songs, the kind that pack as much story into as few lines as possible. Because of its novelty, we felt strongly that the best way to listen to it apart from the theater was to hear it as if it were being played on stage, in the setting of a gold-rush-era saloon. We filled the recording studio with wooden chairs, coins, raised floorboards to stomp on, glasses, drinks to pour in them... In short, we felt like we were producing a radio drama like they might have done 70 years ago. Experienced foley artists probably would have nailed all the atmosphere with fewer takes, but we pulled it off regardless.

Songs from The Flying Trunk is available online through nimbitmusic.com/theflyingtrunk as of this post. Soon, it can also be purchased through other outlets such as iTunes, and as a physical CD complete with lyrics booklet at Spotlight Youth Theatre. (Pick one up next time you see a show there!)

Bobby

* Our voice cast and guest musicians include: Carly Bates, Tyler Gasper, Kelsey Hontz, Emilia Hoyos, Alexandra Keene, Alexandra Melikian, Noel Miller, Jazzly Ramirez, Leslie Sato, Michaela Slezak, Joshua Vern, Even Tyler Wilson, and Becca Woodbury.

See Spotlight Youth Theatre's web site at spotlightyouththeatre.org

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