Click on song demos / piano excerpts
Winslow, Massachusetts New England sailing town, 1832
Act I
At early morning on a windswept hill, Toby scans for ships returning to harbor. He longs for his father, lost on a voyage. Young ruffians poke fun at Toby (A BIT OF BLADE). When ships are sighted, Toby and the ruffians burst into Winslow's town square (HOME!). Toby fails to find his father (SAILORS' DANCE). He dejectedly walks by the shore (DA DEE DUM) and stumbles upon a ship model. Toby takes up the treasure.
A self-flattering Aunt Cecilia enters her stylish home (GOOD DAY, CECILIA!). Her guest, Mayor Risello, listens to a secret request from Cecilia, who wishes to apprentice Toby off. In his bedroom, Toby watches in wonder as his window turns into a rope-rigging (I WISH I HAD A FATHER / TOP GALLANT THEME). Climbing high, Toby swears his father has sent the ship model to help Toby rescue him.
At the harbor the next morning, Toby is confronted by sailors and harbor women (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (I)). Captain Mardocke enters (I'LL SAIL NO MORE ON ENGLAND'S SHORE). He spots Toby's ship model and is startled the name carved on its side is Top Gallant. Mardocke, bribing Susanna with a bracelet, covertly demands that she steal the ship (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (II)).
In a dream sequence, Toby is shadowed by Captain Mardocke (IF THE DEVIL MEET A LAD). Elsewhere, three young men, including Nick, fantasize about going to sea (THE WATER IS COOL). Susanna tempts Nick (IF A WOMAN MEET A LAD), just as Sparrow endeavors to shanghai him. Nick escapes.
At Deacon's Yard, Captain
Mardocke barters with Mayor Risello.
Cecilia promenades Toby who carries
Top Gallant. Mardocke demands that
Toby become his mess boy. Mayor
Risello attempts to foil Mardocke by
auctioning Toby to the highest bidder
(APPRENTICE!). Mardocke fiercely
bids for Toby. During the melee,
Toby escapes with Top Gallant.
Nick surprises Susanna by the
island spit. He protests she set him
up to be shanghaied. Nick impresses
Susanna with his life of honest labor
(PUSHIN' UP THE HILL).
Sparrow enters Captain
Mardocke's quarters to report
Susanna has failed to conscript Nick.
Nor has anyone seen Toby. Enraged,
Mardocke demands the search
continue for Top Gallant, since it
holds the key to unheard-of sailing
speed (FIND ME THE BOY).
At her home, Cecilia teases
Mayor Risello, boasting her father will
soon acquire the Blue Star ship-
building contract, which the Mayor
covets. He slyly challenges her in a
duet (THE WAY IT SHOULD BE / SWEET MELODY).
Toby, exploring Winslow’s harbor
island, runs into Susanna. He echoes
his father's words, "You can see the
stars from anywhere you are on
earth." If Toby can see the stars, and
his father can see the stars, then one
day he will find him. Susanna offers
a knife for Top Gallant (ONE KNIFE). Failing in her attempt, she
drugs Toby and steals the ship.
In a flashback to Toby's parents' home, Katelyn Mathias, Toby's mother, sings to a large portrait of Toby's father, Christopher Mathias (YOU HAVE DREAMS). They argue by letter, he from Boston as he designs a clipper ship, the full-size Top Gallant, and she from Winslow, fearful of the high risk. Top Gallant materializes in full glory, even as sailors' voices warn of those who may never return (SEVEN SEAS AWAY).
Captain Mardocke, sailors and
harbor women carouse in the Jack
Rose Tap (MASTER OF THE
REVELS). To Mardocke’s delight,
Susanna enters with Top Gallant.
Suddenly, in a drug-induced fantasy
high above, Toby clings to a rope-
rigging stretching up a mast, fighting
a raging sea formed of reveling
dancers. At the height of the
merriment, Susanna sets Top Gallant
on the tavern mantel, where it glows
as if on fire.
©2024 Paul Wolf
Winslow, Massachusetts, New England sailing town, 1832
Act I
©2024 Paul Wolf
At early morning on a windswept hill, Toby scans for ships returning to harbor. He longs for his father, lost on a voyage. Young ruffians poke fun at Toby (A BIT OF BLADE). When ships are sighted, Toby and the ruffians burst into Winslow's town square (HOME!). Toby fails to find his father (SAILORS' DANCE). He dejectedly walks by the shore (DA DEE DUM). and stumbles upon a ship model. Toby takes up the treasure. A self-flattering Aunt Cecilia enters her stylish home (GOOD DAY, CECILIA!). Her guest, Mayor Risello, listens to a secret request from Cecilia, who wishes to apprentice Toby off. In his bedroom, Toby watches in wonder as his window turns into a rope-rigging (I WISH I HAD A FATHER / TOP GALLANT THEME). Climbing high, he swears his father has sent the ship model to help Toby rescue him. At the harbor the next morning, Toby is confronted by sailors and harbor women (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (I)). Captain Mardocke enters (I'LL SAIL NO MORE ON ENGLAND'S SHORE). He spots Toby's ship model and is startled the name carved on its side is Top Gallant. Mardocke, bribing Susanna with a bracelet, covertly demands that she steal the ship (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (II)). In a dream sequence, Toby is shadowed by Captain Mardocke (IF THE DEVIL MEET A LAD). Elsewhere, three young men, including Nick, fantasize about going to sea (THE WATER IS COOL). Susanna tempts Nick (IF A WOMAN MEET A LAD), just as Sparrow endeavors to shanghai him. Nick escapes. At Deacon's Yard, Captain Mardocke barters with Mayor Risello. Cecilia promenades Toby who carries Top Gallant. Mardocke demands that Toby become his mess boy. Mayor Risello attempts to foil Mardocke by auctioning Toby to the highest bidder (APPRENTICE!). Mardocke fiercely bids for Toby. During the melee, Toby escapes with Top Gallant.
Nick surprises Susanna by the island spit. He protests she set him up to be shanghaied. Nick impresses Susanna with his life of honest labor (PUSHIN' UP THE HILL). Sparrow enters Captain Mardocke's quarters to report Susanna has failed to conscript Nick. Nor has anyone seen Toby. Enraged, Mardocke demands the search continue for Top Gallant, since it holds the key to unheard-of sailing speed (FIND ME THE BOY). At her home, Cecilia teases Mayor Risello, boasting her father will soon acquire the Blue Star ship-building contract, which the Mayor covets. He slyly challenges her in a duet (THE WAY IT SHOULD BE / SWEET MELODY). Toby, exploring Winslow’s harbor island, runs into Susanna. He echoes his father's words, "You can see the stars from anywhere you are on earth." If Toby can see the stars, and his father can see the stars, then one day he will find him. Susanna offers a knife for Top Gallant (ONE KNIFE). Failing in her attempt, she drugs Toby and steals the ship. In a flashback to Toby's parents' home, Katelyn Mathias, Toby's mother, sings to a large portrait of Toby's father, Christopher Mathias (YOU HAVE DREAMS). They argue by letter, he from Boston as he designs a clipper ship, the full-size Top Gallant, and she from Winslow, fearful of the high risk. Top Gallant materializes in full glory, even as sailors' chants warn of those who may never return (SEVEN SEAS AWAY). Captain Mardocke, sailors and harbor women carouse in the Jack Rose Tap (MASTER OF THE REVELS). To Mardocke’s delight, Susanna enters with Top Gallant. Suddenly, in a drug-induced fantasy high above, Toby clings to a rope- rigging stretching up a mast, fighting a raging sea formed of reveling dancers. At the height of the merriment, Susanna sets Top Gallant on the tavern mantel, where it glows as if on fire.
Winslow, Massachusetts, New England sailing town, 1832
Act I
©2024 Paul Wolf
At early morning on a windswept hill, Toby scans for ships returning to harbor. He longs for his father, lost on a voyage. Young ruffians poke fun at Toby (A BIT OF BLADE). When ships are sighted, Toby and the ruffians burst into Winslow's town square (HOME!). Toby fails to find his father (SAILORS' DANCE). He dejectedly walks by the shore (DA DEE DUM). and stumbles upon a ship model. Toby takes up the treasure. A self-flattering Aunt Cecilia enters her stylish home (GOOD DAY, CECILIA!). Her guest, Mayor Risello, listens to a secret request from Cecilia, who wishes to apprentice Toby off. In his bedroom, Toby watches in wonder as his window turns into a rope-rigging (I WISH I HAD A FATHER / TOP GALLANT THEME). Climbing high, Toby swears his father has sent the ship model to help Toby rescue him. At the harbor the next morning, Toby is confronted by sailors and harbor women (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (I)). Captain Mardocke enters (I'LL SAIL NO MORE ON ENGLAND'S SHORE). He spots Toby's ship model and is startled the name carved on its side is Top Gallant. Mardocke, bribing Susanna with a bracelet, covertly demands that she steal the ship (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (II)). In a dream sequence, Toby is shadowed by Captain Mardocke (IF THE DEVIL MEET A LAD). Elsewhere, three young men, including Nick, fantasize about going to sea (THE WATER IS COOL). Susanna tempts Nick (IF A WOMAN MEET A LAD), just as Sparrow endeavors to shanghai him. Nick escapes. At Deacon's Yard, Captain Mardocke barters with Mayor Risello. Cecilia promenades Toby who carries Top Gallant. Mardocke demands that Toby become his mess boy. Mayor Risello attempts to foil Mardocke by auctioning Toby to the highest bidder (APPRENTICE!). Mardocke fiercely bids for Toby. During the melee, Toby escapes with Top Gallant.
Nick surprises Susanna by the island spit. He protests she set him up to be shanghaied. Nick impresses Susanna with his life of honest labor (PUSHIN' UP THE HILL). Sparrow enters Captain Mardocke's quarters to report Susanna has failed to conscript Nick. Nor has anyone seen Toby. Enraged, Mardocke demands the search continue for Top Gallant, since it holds the key to unheard-of sailing speed (FIND ME THE BOY). At her home, Cecilia teases Mayor Risello, boasting her father will soon acquire the Blue Star ship-building contract, which the Mayor covets. He slyly challenges her in a duet (THE WAY IT SHOULD BE / SWEET MELODY). Toby, exploring Winslow’s harbor island, runs into Susanna. He echoes his father's words, "You can see the stars from anywhere you are on earth." If Toby can see the stars, and his father can see the stars, then one day he will find him. Susanna offers a knife for Top Gallant (ONE KNIFE). Failing in her attempt, she drugs Toby and steals the ship. In a flashback to Toby's parents' home, Katelyn Mathias, Toby's mother, sings to a large portrait of Toby's father, Christopher Mathias (YOU HAVE DREAMS). They argue by letter, he from Boston as he designs a clipper ship, the full-size Top Gallant, and she from Winslow, fearful of the high risk. Top Gallant materializes in full glory, even as sailors' chants warn of those who may never return (SEVEN SEAS AWAY). Captain Mardocke, sailors and harbor women carouse in the Jack Rose Tap (MASTER OF THE REVELS). To Mardocke’s delight, Susanna enters with Top Gallant. Suddenly, in a drug-induced fantasy high above, Toby clings to a rope-rigging stretching up a mast, fighting a raging sea formed of reveling dancers. At the height of the merriment, Susanna sets Top Gallant on the tavern mantel, where it glows as if on fire.
Winslow, Massachusetts, New England sailing town, 1832
Act I
©2024 Paul Wolf
At early morning on a windswept hill, Toby scans for ships returning to harbor. He longs for his father, lost on a voyage. Young ruffians poke fun at Toby (A BIT OF BLADE). When ships are sighted, Toby and the ruffians burst into Winslow's town square (HOME!). Toby fails to find his father (SAILORS' DANCE). He dejectedly walks by the shore (DA DEE DUM). and stumbles upon a ship model. Toby takes up the treasure. A self-flattering Aunt Cecilia enters her stylish home (GOOD DAY, CECILIA!). Her guest, Mayor Risello, listens to a secret request from Cecilia, who wishes to apprentice Toby off. In his bedroom, Toby watches in wonder as his window turns into a rope-rigging (I WISH I HAD A FATHER / TOP GALLANT THEME). Climbing high, he swears his father has sent the ship model to help Toby rescue him. At the harbor the next morning, Toby is confronted by sailors and harbor women (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (I)). Captain Mardocke enters (I'LL SAIL NO MORE ON ENGLAND'S SHORE). He spots Toby's ship model and is startled the name carved on its side is Top Gallant. Mardocke, bribing Susanna with a bracelet, covertly demands that she steal the ship (SAILORS' DANCE REPRISE (II)). In a dream sequence, Toby is shadowed by Captain Mardocke (IF THE DEVIL MEET A LAD). Elsewhere, three young men, including Nick, fantasize about going to sea (THE WATER IS COOL). Susanna tempts Nick (IF A WOMAN MEET A LAD), just as Sparrow endeavors to shanghai him. Nick escapes. At Deacon's Yard, Captain Mardocke barters with Mayor Risello. Cecilia promenades Toby who carries Top Gallant. Mardocke demands that Toby become his mess boy. Mayor Risello attempts to foil Mardocke by auctioning Toby to the highest bidder (APPRENTICE!). Mardocke fiercely bids for Toby. During the melee, Toby escapes with Top Gallant.
Nick surprises Susanna by the island spit. He protests she set him up to be shanghaied. Nick impresses Susanna with his life of honest labor (PUSHIN' UP THE HILL). Sparrow enters Captain Mardocke's quarters to report Susanna has failed to conscript Nick. Nor has anyone seen Toby. Enraged, Mardocke demands the search continue for Top Gallant, since it holds the key to unheard-of sailing speed (FIND ME THE BOY). At her home, Cecilia teases Mayor Risello, boasting her father will soon acquire the Blue Star ship- building contract, which the Mayor covets. He slyly challenges her in a duet (THE WAY IT SHOULD BE / SWEET MELODY). Toby, exploring Winslow’s harbor island, runs into Susanna. He echoes his father's words, "You can see the stars from anywhere you are on earth." If Toby can see the stars, and his father can see the stars, then one day he will find him. Susanna offers a knife for Top Gallant (ONE KNIFE). Failing in her attempt, she drugs Toby and steals the ship. In a flashback to Toby's parents' home, Katelyn Mathias, Toby's mother, sings to a large portrait of Toby's father, Christopher Mathias (YOU HAVE DREAMS). They argue by letter, he from Boston as he designs a clipper ship, the full-size Top Gallant, and she from Winslow, fearful of the high risk. Top Gallant materializes in full glory, even as sailors' chants warn of those who may never return (SEVEN SEAS AWAY). Captain Mardocke, sailors and harbor women carouse in the Jack Rose Tap (MASTER OF THE REVELS). To Mardocke’s delight, Susanna enters with Top Gallant. Suddenly, in a drug-induced fantasy high above, Toby clings to a rope-rigging stretching up a mast, fighting a raging sea formed of reveling dancers. At the height of the merriment, Susanna sets Top Gallant on the tavern mantel, where it glows as if on fire.