BACKGROUND
When I first saw the story of an 18-year-old winning the mayoral race in Hillsdale, I immediately thought it would make a great story for a musical. However, the more I looked into the the actual event, the less interesting it became. So, I called upon poetic license to augment the original story a bit by adding harmonicas, some fashion consultants from Toledo, Ohio, a crush, and a style-challenged mayor, among other things.
News reporters are interviewing townspeople about the race between 18-year-old Michael Sessions, and the incumbent Doug Ingles. In a series of flashbacks we learn how Michael, when quite young, ran for the head of the Hillsdale Area Harmonic Club (Harmonica), only to lose to Chipper Ingles, Doug’s son. Michael’s friend Milton suspects that Michael might be trying to impress a girl, and Milton is right. Monica (who we never see) is the one that Michael has always had a crush on. A street musician introduces Michael to the blues (Slim-Harpo Blues), though he is not sure Michael has the right to sing the blues.
Michael again runs for office, this time in high school, and is again defeated by Chipper who promises everything in the world (Ice Cream and Roller Skates). With his political plans dashed, Michael stumbles into the possibility of running for mayor! With Milton’s help he signs up and prepares to do battle with the current mayor, Doug Ingles (Let’s Go Win an Election).
At a pivotal debate, Michael scores big with the townspeople leading Doug Ingles to reconsider his image. Chipper recruits three fashion consultants from Toledo to take on the makeover (Tom Cruise). Doug is still not confident so he gets a pep talk from Chipper, who clearly has his own political plans (I’m The Mayor Of This Town). Election day comes…and well, I wouldn’t want to give away the ending.
I appreciate your comments. Enjoy.
SYNOPSIS of Hillsdale Blues, a Musical
SCENE 1:
The show begins in the town square of Hillsdale, a small upper Midwest city. Sitting on a bench is Harpo, a young street musician. Harpo sings a song about Hillsdale, what makes it so great, and some of the people we will meet in the musical (Hillsdale Blues).
SCENE 2:
Harpo sits at a bench and watches a group of townspeople crowded around a table where the Town Registrar and Assistant Registrar are counting votes. Behind the table is the current Mayor, Doug Ingles and teen-ager Chipper Ingles. Behind these two are three stylishly dressed fashion consultants, Hector, Jackie , and William. Off to the side is a narrator. In front are three reporters.
The narrator comments on just how normal Hillsdale is, except, perhaps today.
The Reporters give us some background on what is happening (The Reporters #1 and The Reporters #2). They stop Michael Session and ask Mchael’s houghts on perhaps becoming the youngest mayor in America. Michael corrects them and then relates how it all began with a harmonica.
SCENE 3:
Michael recalls through a flashback how in 1996, as a member of the Junior Hillsdale Area Harmonica Association (JHAHA) he ran for “Junior Head Toot”, a position that would allow him to make good use of the clubs limited membership dues. Before the members of the club vote, they sing, and play, the club’s anthem, complete with a lesson on the history of harmonicas (The Harmonica Anthem).
SCENE 4:
Michael is running against Chip “Chipper” Ingles, the son of the Mayor Doug Ingles, who was at the time the “Head Toot”. Chipper promised that if elected, the JHAHA’s funds would be spent on ice cream and roller skating parties (knowing his dad owned both the town’s ice cream parlor and roller skating rink.) Chipper wins easily. The club celebrates with a trip to the ice cream parlor leaving only Michael, his friend Milton, and Slim.
SCENE 5
Milton presses Michael on why it is so important for him to win. Michael shares that he and his father have often watched the news together. Michael’s father would often comment on the lack of honesty in the world of politics and celebrity. Michael decided early on that he would do what he could to change that.
SCENE 6:
Michael and Milton decide to skip the post-election ice cream event. While Michael sits and pouts, Harpo begins playing blues-style harmonica. Michael is intrigued and asks Slim to teach him how to play the blues. Harpo declines, telling Michael that his election loss is not blues worthy, and that Michael has no right to sing the blues (No Right to Sing The Blues). Michael then shares that he is also feeling down because a certain girl doesn’t know he exists. Harpo accepts this is as having blues potential. Milton leaves Michael alone. Michael sings about the girl he likes (Monica).
SCENE 7
Back to present day, the Reporters are trying to get Michael in to give more detail into his decision to run for Mayor.
SCENE 8
A flashback, this time to high school. Michael and Milton are concerned about the possibility of Chipper becoming senior class president. They recall how he ruined the harmonica club by spending all the dues on ice cream and roller skates. Michael runs for class president against Chipper who has been reminded by his father Doug that ice cream sales and roller skating parties are a big part of their income (Ice Cream and Roller Skates). At an assembly, Michael appeals to the students about fiscal responsibility, while Chipper plays on the issue of school loyalty and pride, which translates to ice cream parties and roller skating. Chipper wins easily and Michael is ready to give up, but wants to know if Monica was at the assembly. Michael plays on his Harmonica (Monica Reprise).
Within newest defeat, Michael looks to finish his senior year. Michael and Milton have a social studies assignment to report on Hillsdale’s upcoming mayoral election. A trip to the city registrar’s office confirms their deepest concern: Doug Ingles is the only candidate. Milton challenges Michael to run, and with the help of the registrar, Michael registers as a candidate. Milton and Michael sing about everything that needs to get done before the election (Let’s Go Win an Election).
A debate is scheduled. Doug Ingles is confident while Michael is concerned that he is in over his head. After several silly questions, a townperson asks Doug about a promise from a previous election. When Doug falters Michael begins to share his thoughts. Doug attempts to shut Michael down but only succeeds in whipping up support from the townspeople. Michael shares more and before you know it there is a real debate.
Following the debate, Doug and Chipper discuss strategy. Chipper reminds Doug that he has successfully guided Hillsdale through some tough times. During the song Chipper inadvertently reveals his own plans to become mayor (I’m the Mayor of this Town).
Not finished with strategies, Chipper then brings in 3 style consultants from Toledo in an effort to make Doug “cuter than Tom Cruise” (Tom Cruise).
Michael wins! not only the mayoral election, but also the high school’s senior prom king, with Monica as his queen!
Slim wraps everything up with an updated repise of the opening song (Hillsdale Blues Reprise.)
THE SONGS: Missing Song “Ice Cream and Roller Skates”, “Let’s Go Win and Election.”