The Ten Commandments: The Musical
Encyclopedia
The Ten Commandments: The Musical is a musical
with music by Patrick Leonard
and lyrics by Maribeth Derry. The book is adapted from the French musical Les dix commandements
created by Élie Chouraqui
from an idea by Albert Cohen.
The musical debuted at the Kodak Theatre
in Hollywood on September 21, 2004. It was directed by Robert Iscove
, with choreography by Travis Payne
and costumes by Max Azria
. The original cast included Val Kilmer
, Kevin Earley
, Lauren Kennedy
, Adam Lambert
, Luba Mason, Alisan Porter
, Nita Whitaker, Michelle Pereira, Nicholas Rodriguez and Ipalé. A DVD was shot with the original cast.
3,300 years ago, under the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Seti, the Hebrews were an enslaved race, driven mercilessly to build Seti's growing empire. Since the increasing population of the Hebrews threatened the Egyptians, the pharaoh handed down an edict sentencing all newborn Hebrew sons to death. The baby Moses, born of Yokebed and Amram, was set adrift on the Nile in a basket, so that his life might be saved. He was found by the daughter of Seti, the childless Princess Bithia, who believed Moses was sent to her by the gods.
The Royal Palace:
Moses was adopted by Seti and raised in the pharaoh’s court as a brother to the young prince, Ramses. When the brothers grew to young men, Seti announced that Ramses would become the next pharaoh. Moses would be his second in command, the architect of his cities, and his lifetime chief counselor. Both brothers fervently wished to marry the young princess, Nefertari. Ramses’ position as pharaoh forced Nefertari to take him and give up her secret hope of being with Moses, the only man she ever loved.
Outside the Palace Walls & Across the Desert:
As time passed, Moses began to question the enslavement of the Hebrews. After witnessing an Egyptian guard abusing a Hebrew, Moses became enraged at the injustices the slaves were suffering, and impulsively killed the guard. During his murder trial, Moses’ real sister Miriam revealed to Moses that he was actually the son of Yokebed, a Hebrew slave. Moses was banished to the desert and fled to Midian, where he met and married Zipporah, the daughter of the Midianite priest.
On the Mountain of Horeb:
One day in the wilderness, Moses saw a bush that was burning but was not consumed by the flames. From it came the voice of God, instructing him to return to Egypt and demand that Ramses free the Hebrew slaves. Moses, armed only with his shepherd’s staff but inspired by the power of God, undertook the mission to lead the Hebrews to “a promised land, a land overflowing with milk and honey.” Moses returned to Egypt to confront the pharaoh.
The Treasure Cities of Ramses:
Back in Egypt, the brutality of Ramses’ treatment of the slaves only strengthened Moses' resolve. Ramses was overjoyed at the return of his brother until Moses told him that he must let the Hebrews go, explaining to him that no man has the right to enslave another man. Enraged by Moses’ plea, Ramses threatened to kill the slaves. In response, Moses unleashed ten plagues on the Kingdom of the Pharaoh; the last one resulted in the death of Ramses’ own son. Devastated, Ramses finally freed the slaves.
The Hebrews hastily began their trek into the desert, where they wandered, fed by manna and guided by pillars of smoke and fire.
At the Edge of the Red Sea:
Driven by vengeance and Nefertari’s goading, Ramses sent his armies to overtake the escaped slaves. The Hebrews, trapped on high cliffs overlooking the Red Sea, began to panic, but Moses urged them to have faith. As he raised his staff, the sea parted, opening a pathway for their escape. The Egyptian soldiers tried to follow, but the sea closed, drowning them.
At the Foot of Mount Sinai:
Wandering in the desert, the Hebrews became discontented and afraid. Moses left the group at the base of Mt. Sinai while he ascended to the peak to seek God's help. There he received The Ten Commandments, a basic law of human conduct. He brought the commandments back to his people, only to find that they had descended into idolatry and sin. Enraged and disappointed, he broke the law tablets and threatened that God would punish the Hebrews. The people repented, accepted the new law, and thus prepared to enter The Promised Land.
Egyptians
Act 2
, who was seen as miscast.
Adam Lambert's fame on American Idol
had led DVD releases to feature his name on covers.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with music by Patrick Leonard
Patrick Leonard
Patrick Raymond Leonard is an American songwriter, keyboardist and music producer, known for his longtime collaboration with Madonna on many different recordings....
and lyrics by Maribeth Derry. The book is adapted from the French musical Les dix commandements
Les Dix Commandements (musical)
Les Dix Commandements is a French-language musical comedy written by Élie Chouraqui and Pascal Obispo that premiered in Paris in October 2000...
created by Élie Chouraqui
Élie Chouraqui
Élie Chouraqui is a French film director and scriptwriter of Jewish origin.-Filmography:*1978: Mon premier amour*1980: Une page d'amour*1982: Qu'est-ce qui fait courir David?*1985: Paroles et musique...
from an idea by Albert Cohen.
The musical debuted at the Kodak Theatre
Kodak Theatre
The Kodak Theatre is a live theatre in the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles...
in Hollywood on September 21, 2004. It was directed by Robert Iscove
Robert Iscove
Robert Iscove is a Canadian film and television director, television producer and a choreographer...
, with choreography by Travis Payne
Travis Payne
Travis Payne is an American choreographer, director, and producer. He is best known for working with Michael Jackson as the choreographer for This Is It until Jackson's death. Payne also served as the associate producer for This Is It, and along with the director, Kenny Ortega, was extensively...
and costumes by Max Azria
Max Azria
Max Azria is a French fashion designer of Tunisian Jewish descent who founded the contemporary women's clothing brand BCBGMAXAZRIA. Azria is also the designer, chairman and CEO of BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, a global fashion house that encompasses over 20 brands...
. The original cast included Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer
Val Edward Kilmer is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! , then the cult classic Real Genius , as well as blockbuster action films, including a supporting role in Top Gun and a...
, Kevin Earley
Kevin Earley
Kevin Earley is an American stage, film, and television actor.Kevin Earley was trained at the Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, Missouri where he earned his B.F.A...
, Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy is an actress and a singer who has performed numerous times on Broadway. She most recently starred in the Off-Broadway show Good Ol' Girls at the Black Box Theatre during the 2009-2010 season...
, Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol...
, Luba Mason, Alisan Porter
Alisan Porter
Alisan Porter is an American actress, singer and dancer.-Life and career:Porter was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. Porter is Jewish. Her maternal grandmother, whose father Joseph Klein was a prominent Worcester rabbi, ran the Charlotte Klein Dance Center in Worcester...
, Nita Whitaker, Michelle Pereira, Nicholas Rodriguez and Ipalé. A DVD was shot with the original cast.
Act 1
By the Bank of the River Nile:3,300 years ago, under the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Seti, the Hebrews were an enslaved race, driven mercilessly to build Seti's growing empire. Since the increasing population of the Hebrews threatened the Egyptians, the pharaoh handed down an edict sentencing all newborn Hebrew sons to death. The baby Moses, born of Yokebed and Amram, was set adrift on the Nile in a basket, so that his life might be saved. He was found by the daughter of Seti, the childless Princess Bithia, who believed Moses was sent to her by the gods.
The Royal Palace:
Moses was adopted by Seti and raised in the pharaoh’s court as a brother to the young prince, Ramses. When the brothers grew to young men, Seti announced that Ramses would become the next pharaoh. Moses would be his second in command, the architect of his cities, and his lifetime chief counselor. Both brothers fervently wished to marry the young princess, Nefertari. Ramses’ position as pharaoh forced Nefertari to take him and give up her secret hope of being with Moses, the only man she ever loved.
Outside the Palace Walls & Across the Desert:
As time passed, Moses began to question the enslavement of the Hebrews. After witnessing an Egyptian guard abusing a Hebrew, Moses became enraged at the injustices the slaves were suffering, and impulsively killed the guard. During his murder trial, Moses’ real sister Miriam revealed to Moses that he was actually the son of Yokebed, a Hebrew slave. Moses was banished to the desert and fled to Midian, where he met and married Zipporah, the daughter of the Midianite priest.
On the Mountain of Horeb:
One day in the wilderness, Moses saw a bush that was burning but was not consumed by the flames. From it came the voice of God, instructing him to return to Egypt and demand that Ramses free the Hebrew slaves. Moses, armed only with his shepherd’s staff but inspired by the power of God, undertook the mission to lead the Hebrews to “a promised land, a land overflowing with milk and honey.” Moses returned to Egypt to confront the pharaoh.
The Treasure Cities of Ramses:
Back in Egypt, the brutality of Ramses’ treatment of the slaves only strengthened Moses' resolve. Ramses was overjoyed at the return of his brother until Moses told him that he must let the Hebrews go, explaining to him that no man has the right to enslave another man. Enraged by Moses’ plea, Ramses threatened to kill the slaves. In response, Moses unleashed ten plagues on the Kingdom of the Pharaoh; the last one resulted in the death of Ramses’ own son. Devastated, Ramses finally freed the slaves.
Act 2
The Treasure Cities of Ramses:The Hebrews hastily began their trek into the desert, where they wandered, fed by manna and guided by pillars of smoke and fire.
At the Edge of the Red Sea:
Driven by vengeance and Nefertari’s goading, Ramses sent his armies to overtake the escaped slaves. The Hebrews, trapped on high cliffs overlooking the Red Sea, began to panic, but Moses urged them to have faith. As he raised his staff, the sea parted, opening a pathway for their escape. The Egyptian soldiers tried to follow, but the sea closed, drowning them.
At the Foot of Mount Sinai:
Wandering in the desert, the Hebrews became discontented and afraid. Moses left the group at the base of Mt. Sinai while he ascended to the peak to seek God's help. There he received The Ten Commandments, a basic law of human conduct. He brought the commandments back to his people, only to find that they had descended into idolatry and sin. Enraged and disappointed, he broke the law tablets and threatened that God would punish the Hebrews. The people repented, accepted the new law, and thus prepared to enter The Promised Land.
Principal roles
Hebrews- Moses is the third child of Yokebed, after Miriam and Aaron. He is adopted by Bithia, daughter of Pharaoh Seti.
- Yokebed, wife of Amram, is the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
- Joshua is a Hebrew slave and a stonecutter. Before dying, Moses chooses Joshua to lead the Hebrews into The Promised Land.
- Miriam is Moses’ sister.
- Aaron is Moses’ older brother. He goes on to be designated as the first high priest and takes care of the Ark of the Covenant that contains the tablets of the law.
- Zipporah is one of the seven daughters of the shepherd Jethro. She marries Moses. Together they have two sons. She converts to the Hebrew religion.
Egyptians
- Ramses, the Prince of Egypt, is raised as together with Moses. However, once he becomes pharaoh, he turns against the Hebrews and consigns them to merciless slavery. He marries Moses’ love, Princess Nefertari.
- Nefertari is an Egyptian princess who marries Ramses and manipulates the pharoh.
- Seti, the pharaoh of Egypt, raises Moses with his own son, Ramses, as a prince of Egypt.
- Bithia is an Egyptian princess, the daughter of Seti, who discovers Moses by the Nile. She follows him into the desert with the Hebrews.
Musical numbers
Act 1- Seti's command – Seti, Soldiers, Hebrew Slaves
- If I can let you go – Yokebed, Bithia
- Drawn from the water (naming ceremony) – Bithia and the Royal Court
- When we rule the world – Moses, Ramses, Nefertari
- A love that never was – Nefertari, Moses
- Keys to the kingdom – Moses
- Is anybody listening? – Joshua, Hebrew Slaves
- Guilty (the trial) – Yokabed, Bithia, Miriam, Moses, Ramses and The Company
- Drawn from the water (reprise)
- The horns of Jericho – Moses, Joshua, Miriam, Yokebed, Hebrew Slaves
- Shadow on this house – Nefertari, Ramses, Bithia, The Royal Court
- The one – Zipporah
- Bedouin dance – The Company
- Rain down stars (a wedding blessing) – Zipporah, Zipporah’s Sister, Ensemble
- A love that never was (reprise) – Nefertari
- Why me? – Moses
- The horns of Jericho (reprise) – Zipporah, Aaron
- Glory of Ra – Ramses
- Let them go (no man's right) – Moses, Ramses, Joshua, Aaron, Hebrew Slaves
- The plagues – Moses, Ramses, Nefertari, Joshua, Yokebed, Miriam, Aaron, Viziers, Hebrew Slaves and Egyptians
Act 2
- We Are Free/Light of a new day – Miriam, Joshua, Aaron, Hebrews
- Across the desert – Hebrews
- Can you do that for me? – Nefertari
- Glory of Ra (reprise) – Ramses
- Into the deep – Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Nachson, Hebrews
- Brother's still (how can it be?) – Ramses, Moses
- Where we belong – Zipporah, Bithia, Yokebed
- Back in Egypt – Hebrews
- Back in Egypt – Moses
- Land of milk and honey – Aaron, Hebrews
- Golden calf – Hebrews
- Why me (reprise) – Moses
- The ten – Solo Child, Hebrews
- A prayer for life – Moses, Hebrews
- Encore – The Company
Original cast
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Seti | Ipalé |
| Yokebed | Michelle Pereira |
| Miriam | Alisan Porter Alisan Porter Alisan Porter is an American actress, singer and dancer.-Life and career:Porter was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. Porter is Jewish. Her maternal grandmother, whose father Joseph Klein was a prominent Worcester rabbi, ran the Charlotte Klein Dance Center in Worcester... |
| Bithia | Luba Mason |
| Aaron | Nicholas Rodriguez |
| Moses | Val Kilmer Val Kilmer Val Edward Kilmer is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! , then the cult classic Real Genius , as well as blockbuster action films, including a supporting role in Top Gun and a... |
| Ramses | Kevin Earley Kevin Earley Kevin Earley is an American stage, film, and television actor.Kevin Earley was trained at the Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, Missouri where he earned his B.F.A... |
| Nefertari | Lauren Kennedy Lauren Kennedy Lauren Kennedy is an actress and a singer who has performed numerous times on Broadway. She most recently starred in the Off-Broadway show Good Ol' Girls at the Black Box Theatre during the 2009-2010 season... |
| Joshua | Adam Lambert Adam Lambert Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol... |
| Zipporah | Nita Whitaker |
Critical response
The musical received mixed reviews from theatre critics. However, the actors earned nearly unanimous praise for their performances, except for Val KilmerVal Kilmer
Val Edward Kilmer is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! , then the cult classic Real Genius , as well as blockbuster action films, including a supporting role in Top Gun and a...
, who was seen as miscast.
Adam Lambert's fame on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
had led DVD releases to feature his name on covers.
External links
- The Ten Commandments: The Musical., the description from IMDB.
- The Ten Commandments: The Musical, pictures and description of the show from Lanightlife.com
- Is anybody listening? by Adam Lambert , a video from one of the songs (YouTube, December 25, 2007).
News related to the musical
- Staff Writer (2009), Adam Lambert and Val Kilmer in 'The Ten Commandments', Newsday, April 9, 2009 (retrieved from the WWW on 5/1/09)
- Kaufman, G (2009) Adam Lambert's Early 'Ten Commandments' Clip Surfaces, MTV, April 9, 2009. (retrieved from the WWW on 5/1/09)
- Stransky, T. (2009) 'American Idol': What's your favorite Adam Lambert YouTube clip?, Pop Watch, April 10, 2009 (retrieved from the WWW on 5/1/09)
- Staff Writer (2009) Headlines: Musical Version of Vanities Headed for Second Stage BROADWAY, Broadway, April 15, 2009 (retrieved from the WWW on 5/1/09).
- Kaufman, G (2009) Will Adam Lambert Win 'American Idol'?, MTV, April 14, 2009 (retrieved from the WWW on 5/1/09)