Hello Flying V Readers!
Megan Reichelt here! I play Opal and Aurora in The Pirate Laureate of Port Town. Having two very different characters live in your body for a few months is hard work, and sometimes it helps to have methods of separating them and developing them distinctly so they don’t mush into each other. However, I can never create characters in a vacuum. All characters I play are a part of myself. To help me tease out the parts of myself that most identify with Opal or Aurora, I create playlists for the characters. First, I just grab a whole bunch of songs that speak to me and remind me of the character in whatever way. Sometimes it’s the words, sometimes the feel of the songs, sometimes both. Then, I put them in order of the character’s emotional journey (childhood through the play). Finally, I winnow it down to just the songs that really resonate with me for a specific moment. The ones labeled “perfect” are the ones that really pack a punch for me.
Please note that the character back story is all my own. It is not the official backstory. I just constructed back stories that help me get to where I need to be when the play starts. For the official backstory of the characters, see the playwright, Zachary Fernebok!
I’ve given a breakdown of what each song represents for me in their journey and a link to the playlist so you can listen to it yourself! Please note that there are some gaps in the timeline, as the playlists are still in flux and I have yet to find the perfect song for that moment.
OPAL
1) Boy for Sale (Oliver): Opal is orphaned and she is basically sold into working in some sort of steampunk factory/ mechanic shop. Lonely, resigned.
2) Hold On (Secret Garden): After a particularly bad day, Opal is encouraged by mentor figure to develop inner strength and resilience, and that someday it will get better. It is a source of strength for her until the fateful day her ship comes in…literally.
3) Through Heaven’s Eyes (Prince of Egypt): She has a chance encounter with Greyscale on the street. They connect, and he talks to her about how she is worth something, and to take her fate into her own hands. At the point in the song after “You must learn to join the dance” it is a montage of her making the decision to join the ship, meeting the crew, learning things, and it ends with music night on the Chartreuse. (Perfect)
4) Sailing for Adventure (Muppet Treasure Island): The crew sets sail the next morning.
5) We are Gonna Be Friends (White Stripes): Opal, Ruby and Finn become friends and learn pirating together.
6) The Coolest Girl (A Very Potter Sequel): Opal in her teenage years, being awkward and coming into her own.
7) When You Believe (Prince of Egypt): For some reason, this song felt like a settling and a strengthening song. Opal is now grown up; the ship’s crew are a solid family with rhythms and a strong philosophy of hope and home. Sailing on a driving but steady sea with Opal at the helm. A little before the start of the play.
8) Harry (Very Potter Musical): Opal gets a crush on Finn.
9) Nicest Thing (Kate Nash): The crush deepens into something more. (Perfect)
10) Missing Song: Betrayal.
11) I’m Not That Girl (Wicked): Opal comes to her senses and her heart is broken. (Perfect)
12) The Next Ten Minutes (Last Five Years): Hidden feelings are kindled into a flame. (Perfect)
13) You Are My Home (Scarlet Pimpernel): End of the Play.
AURORA
1) There’s a Girl and I Heard Someone Crying (Secret Garden): Aurora’s lonely childhood in a big house with parents who never paid attention to her except to trot her out for special occasions.
2) Mariella (Kate Nash): Aurora rebels.
3) Defying Gravity (Wicked): Aurora leaves her home for good and sets out to seek her fortune.
4) The Distance (Cake): Aurora gets on a train and rides the rails to Port Town. Does it without thinking it all the way through, but she makes it through sheer luck and tenacity. (For tone of song, less for words).
5) Is Anybody There (1776): Aurora spends all her time studying and writing poetry. She has no natural talent, but she works her ass off to learn to be the best. She doesn’t take good care of herself or her personal appearance during this time. Still she has not reached where she wants to be yet.
6) The Wizard and I (Wicked): Aurora hears that LaRief is holding auditions for a Pirate Laureate and seizes her chance.
7) Easy Street (Annie): LaRief hires her and unfolds his plans to take over Port Town.
8) My Friends (Sweeney Todd): Aurora takes up her pen for the first time as a Pirate Laureate.
9) Sexy and I know It (LMFAO): LaReif gives her a makeover and shows her the importance of personal presentation as power.
10) I’m The One That’s Cool (The Guild): She is now a sexy skilled Pirate Laureate! She has found her place. A big Fuck You to her parents and everyone who made fun of her or thought she couldn’t do it. (Perfect)
11) What is This Feeling (Wicked): First encounter of Finn and Aurora.
12) Brand New Day (Dr. Horrible): Aurora targets Finn as the rival to take down.
13) At The Opera Tonight (Repo): On her way to a poetry night early in her career.
14) We started this Opera Shit (Repo): A Poetry Night after she is established. I picture everyone rocking out and the poets having a bit of a wrestling style entrance.
15) Missing songs: End of Play
