Paul Raskin

Fortune. And Fame             ​​A Hollywood Musical

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​​​1940. Hollywood. The greatest influencer of all time. ​

Anyone with talent and drive can make it here - or so it would seem.

Fortune. And Fame is the musical story of a gifted young man's journey through this world,

overcoming the odds against him because of who and what he is.

It's a journey of secrets, lies, and betrayal.

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In Omaha, Will LaCroix and his less-than-perfect mother, May, have been abandoned and left broke by her latest husband. Will, a gifted talent, can keep them afloat if they can get to Hollywood where he can win big on "Shooting Stars," Curt Kimball's weekly radio talent contest heard by millions. With nothing to lose, they leave. ​

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In Hollywood, the determined pair find their way directly to Curt, and Will easily impresses him. But Curt sees more than just Will's talent. He realizes this alluring young man also has a secret - one that can destroy careers. Curt has been waiting for the perfect bait to come along so he can settle an old score. With the promise of fame and money he manipulates May for control of Will. With stars in her inebriated eyes, she is easily duped into what she thinks is the path to fortune. And fame.

 

The powerful young star Julie Quinn hears Will on the radio and is sure she's finally found who the studio has been looking for. The role of a lifetime, Savannah Joe, is up for grabs. Julie intuits what makes Will special - and ideal - to play the sensitive young hero opposite her. Although part of the Hollywood machine, she does not subscribe to its false morality. She is determined to find out all she can about Will. In doing so, she also uncovers the truth about Curt, his past - and his sinister plan.

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To succeed, she must stop Curt. But also convince Will to live a lie. ​​

 

Fortune. And Fame is based on real people

who negotiated their way through the perils of

being "other" in Hollywood during its Golden Age -

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