Michael James Heartly
Playwright / Author
Sample below a few of Billy Joel's magnificent songs and lyrics used to weave a story of reclamation. Once you feel the magic, you'll understand why this has to be produced. - MJH
A dreamy-eyed High School graduate of the Class of 1968 is convinced by a mysterious stranger to move from her broken home in Allentown, Pennsylvania and pursue her stardom on Broadway.
Virginia finds herself living in Greenwich Village above Captain Jack's bar where she falls into the rabbit hole of the 60's drug and Hippy culture. Her brother is killed in Vietnam sending her spiraling into a near suicide episode when her friends help pull her from the brink.
1
The Musical opens the summer of 1968 with VIRGINIA'S brother MAX singing about their dilapidated city, ALLENTOWN. MAX is on leave ffrom Vietnam.
4
VIRGINIA lands in front of CAPTAIN JACK'S Bar where she crashes on a bench. She is awakened at sunrise by a street smart CLEO who claims she runs the neighborhood. CLEO lays out life in the streets to VIRGINIA with: MOVING OUT.
2
BILLY convinces VIRGINIA to escape from ALLENTOWN. As she prepares to hitchhike to New York, BILLY and VIRGINIA sing to her MOTHER professing that (it's her) MY LIFE.
5
MAX has been killed in Vietnam. This sends VIRGINIA into a suicidal spin. She begins singing TOMORROW IS TODAY in her tiny closet and winds up thinking of jumping into the East River.
3
VIRGINIA manages to hitchhike to Hoboken where she befriends a BAG LAD to help her. As the two ride a bus to GreenwichVillage, the BAG LADY sings: A NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
6
VIRGINIA survives her suicide attempt. Her friends surround her to remind her she's ONLY HUMAN. VIRGINIA and her friends celebrate her recovery when she agrees to straighten out her life.