My name is Andy Pope. I am a lifelong pianist, composer, and musical playwright. In recent years, I have also been involved with journalism. My work has appeared on the independent news site Berkeleyside, the blog site Classism Exposed, and the news site Spokane Faith and Values. In addition, I’ve been published in a newspaper called Street Spirit, where my regular column — Homeless No More — encourages those having experienced homelessness during the transition to indoor living.
I’ve also written a new musical, Eden in Babylon, which explores the effects of homelessness on the youth of today’s America. Feel free to peruse my pages and posts. You’ll find sound files, a demo, a script, and other material pertinent to this project. While I don’t want to give away the whole story on the front page, the comments below are from people familiar with it. Developments toward its interactive production are currently described in my blog posts, with further details in my newsletter. I hope you appreciate my work.
Please donate to Eden in Babylon.
Your work and interest in the theatre deserves appreciation and recognition. All the best in your future endeavors.
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“Eden in Babylon” sounds great, A.P. – interesting story for the world it creates and timely message for the world it addresses (that’s us). It may be because of my “Hippies” novel, which does some of the same visionary work, but my bias is to see it in part as a bridge from the’67 Haight to something new. And desperately needed. I agree with you that there has never been “more division in America than I see today. Whatever happened to the koans of morale? … ‘United we stand; divided we fall.’” That slogan is now anathema to both Trump conservatives and identity politics liberals. The moral ground has been ceded by all parties. Maybe with “Eden in Babylon” and “Hippies,” we can start a movement in the arts – outside of the political spectrum, left and right – and save the day! It’s a nice dream anyway.
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Absolutely in accord, Gary. The Left-Right chasm appears to have been consumed in a much more critical rift having to do with socio-economic class. Also, historically, the Arts have thrived at times of political turmoil. I suspect you and I are not alone in this vision, but we might as well network the movement while the iron we strike is hot. The national morale has sunken to such a new low, I actually encounter intelligent people these days who don’t even know what the word “morale” means. And as far as dreams are concerned, this nation was founded on one. What have we got to lose? Nothing, as near as I can tell. And we might just gain our country back.
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The resolution of the story is a microcosmic view of what needs to happen macrocosmically! I particularly agree with the perspectives you share in the paragraph after the synopsis.
Thank you for your interest in and comments on my blog.
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You’re welcome, Ken. I suspected you’d see things kinda like I do. It’s this shared perspective that drew me to your blog in the first place. Thanks for everything.
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Andy, knowing your music and the exceptional talent at writing, this will be a wonderful musical. I sent a small donation, and hope it will help you in your path. All the best.
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Thanks, Hayden! And thanks for following my blog. I’ll keep you updated. All the best to you as well.
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Your title drew me in – I love theatre and believe there is no substitute for it. All the very best
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I agree completely. There is no substitute for good live theatre. And I’m glad to hear the title drew you in!
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