Paul Raskin
Paul Raskin
Paul Raskin
Fortune. And Fame A Hollywood Musical
1940. Hollywood. The greatest influencer of all time.
Anyone with talent and drive can make it here - or so it would seem.
A small group of powerful men hold the keys to this American dream -
and the rules are theirs to make. Fortune. And Fame is the musical story
of a gifted young man's journey through this world. Because of who and what he is,
it's a journey of secrets, lies, and betrayal.
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.
In Hollywood, the determined pair finagle their way directly to Curt, and Will impresses him on the spot. But Curt sees more. Much more. He recognizes this alluring young man's secret - and he can use that secret to settle an old score. He bargains with May for control of Will, putting him on the show and making sure he wins - for a price. With stars in her inebriated eyes, May is easily manipulated into handing over her 20-year-old son.
The powerful young star Julie Quinn hears Will on the radio and knows she's finally found what 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. A plan that will expose and destroy innocent people -
including Will.
Fortune. And Fame is based on real people
who negotiated their way through the perils of
being "other" in Hollywood during its Golden Age.
What better way to tell the story than as a Hollywood musical.
With a happy ending.
"Paul has written a compelling story of love and healing set in old Hollywood with soaring, memorable melodies, complex characters and scenes, and delicious action with twists and turns –a narrative for our time that we have not seen before. He is a bit of a renaissance man who draws on his depth of experience in the entertainment business, his life, as well as his wonderful imagination. "
-Jennifer Piech Pasbjerg,
Producer for Theatre and Film
Notably: Come From Away (Broadway, Toronto, National Tour, London, Australia). Awards & Nominations: Tony Nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, Olivier Award.