A Long Trip: Boston Opera Collaborative

A LONG TRIP

Music by

Jordan Kuspa

Libretto by

Dan McGeehan

Adapted from his play

FINAL

Premiered at

Boston Opera Collaborative

Boston MA

January 2023

CHARACTERS

THE WOMAN, OLDER [Alto]

Elderly woman suffering from dementia. Age: 60+. She is unfocused, easily agitated. Confused. She tries to comprehend what is going on but her disease has advanced enough that she can’t quite put it all together. It scares her that she can picture what her husband is telling her but she doesn’t quite know why. This is quite a contrast to the woman she used to be— the stronger of the two, warm and comforting. She wears a light blue housecoat or bathrobe over a long white nightgown, and slippers.

THE MAN, OLDER [Bass/Baritone]

Elderly man, the woman’s husband. Age: 60+. Outwardly, he is gentle, soothing,

focused. He is tenderly guiding her through a collective memory. Inwardly, he is

scared of losing her, scared of what it means to be alone after all those years together, depending on her strength. He keeps his fear in check as he methodically attempts to “bring her back.” Her illness has advanced enough that it is not easy to get her to remember who he is or what he means to her. He has decided to connect with her by way of a shared emotional moment— the night they fell in love. He wears comfortable clothes and shoes.

THE MAN, YOUNGER [Tenor]

Younger version of the old man. Age: Late teens or early twenties. Shy, awkward

around girls. Has admired the young girl from afar but doesn’t know how to approach her. One of those types who knows what he’d like to do but is afraid to look stupid or be rejected. He wears the type of clean, comfortable clothes one would to a church dance. Perhaps a sport jacket in an attempt to look more mature.

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER [Soprano]

Younger version of the old woman. Age: Late teens early twenties. Quiet, demure but only because that’s what’s expected of her. There is the spark of a fire within her that wants to grow and be let loose but doesn’t quite know when or how it’s proper. As the story progresses, she finds ways to assert herself and achieve what she desires. She is attracted to the young man and perhaps waited for him to make the first move. Seeing that wasn’t happening, she tentatively takes matters in her own hands. We see the beginnings of the woman she will grow up to be. She wears the type of well-kept dress one would to a church dance.

PLACE

Somewhere in a house

TIME

The Present

SETTING

Two simple chairs

The below is an excerpt.

A LONG TRIP

Daytime. Inside the house somewhere. The stage is empty save for just

two plain wooden chairs upon which sit THE MAN, OLDER, and THE

WOMAN, OLDER. Both are in their sixties or older. He is dressed

comfortably while she wears a housecoat or bathrobe. He is gently

focused on her, softly rubbing one of her hands. She is confused,

struggling to focus her thoughts, and does not look at him.

THE MAN, OLDER

Remember? That night?

THE WOMAN, OLDER

Remember?

THE MAN, OLDER

Anything? After we parted?

THE WOMAN, OLDER

Remember? I... I...

THE MAN, OLDER

An early summer night.

I had seen you many times.

In the schoolyard, and the churchyard.

But I was so shy and you were so—

THE WOMAN, OLDER

And... that night?

THE MAN, OLDER

Yes, there was church dance, and I—

(THE WOMAN, OLDER is suddenly agitated.)

THE WOMAN, OLDER

No, you're wrong.

My mother never let me dance.

THE MAN, OLDER

You didn't. You didn't. You only served the punch.

(She calms down.)

THE WOMAN, OLDER

Oh! That's diff’rent.

I was not allowed to dance.

What did you do?

THE MAN, OLDER

Nothing.

But nothing was the best thing I could have done.

You had to leave early.

You were going on a long trip.

You didn't want to walk alone in the dark.

You wanted someone to walk with you.

Someone who was doing... Nothing.

You found me.

(THE WOMAN, OLDER looks off to the side and sees THE MAN,

YOUNGER and THE WOMAN, YOUNGER enter. They are in their late

teens or early twenties, and are casually dressed. They mime a

conversation. THE WOMAN, OLDER watches them in puzzled wonder.

She doesn’t realize they are in her mind, a memory struggling to burst

through. THE MAN, OLDER doesn’t see them.)

Normally, I was shy around girls.

But you were different.

There was something warm—

THE MAN, OLDER and THE MAN, YOUNGER

—inviting and comforting about you.

I found you easy to talk to and not stammer or blush.

THE WOMAN, OLDER and THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

What did we talk about all that time?

Anything?

THE MAN, OLDER

Anything —

THE MAN, OLDER and THE MAN, YOUNGER

—and everything.

(THE WOMAN, OLDER stands and circles the younger couple.

THE MAN, OLDER stands, lost in thought, as he tells the story.)

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

Of gym class

And volleyball.

THE MAN, YOUNGER

In the schoolyard.

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

Study hall and pencils.

THE MAN, YOUNGER

Of hymnals.

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

And the churchyard.

THE MAN, YOUNGER

And squeaky floors.

Broken doorknobs, too

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

Thank you for walking me home.

Would you like to step inside?

THE MAN, YOUNGER

Oh...

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

We can keep talking...

THE MAN, YOUNGER

Well...

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

...and be warm...

THE MAN, YOUNGER

I really...

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER I...

We have food.

THE MAN, YOUNGER

Okay.

(The younger couple crosses to the chairs and sit. They mime a

conversation. Confused, THE WOMAN, OLDER watches them.)

THE WOMAN, OLDER

Inside?

THE MAN, OLDER

This house.

Before we bought it from your parents.

THE WOMAN, OLDER

Oh, how I wish I could remember. Remember...

ARIA

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER

I remember when I was five,

I saw a movie of a dancer.

She had her arms spread wide,

And danced around in circles.

I thought she looked just like me

Or maybe I just wished so.

Her face was filled with joy,

(Caught up the story, THE WOMAN, YOUNGER stands and

spreads her arms as if to dance.)

I wanted to...

(Self-consciously, she catches herself, and stops.)

But anyway, I thought of that at the dance tonight.

She was so beautiful.

THE MAN, YOUNGER

She still is.

QUARTET.

THE WOMAN, YOUNGER THE MAN, YOUNGER

She spun around. To talk for hours.

Arms spread wide. My hands are sweaty,

And danced around in circles. To sit so close,

I wanted, Our knees almost touch!

Oh how I wanted that joy!

Oh how I wanted that joy!

I remember... I’ll always remember...

THE WOMAN, OLDER THE MAN, OLDER

These visions, what do they mean?

Oh, I wish I could remember

Remember... Remember...

ALL

Remember...

THE MAN, YOUNGER

We’ve talked so long now. I want to ask...

I mean, I want to say...

(He happens to glance at his watch.)

Crap! It's 3 A.M.!