The Musical McCoy

Adapted by Vincent de Tourdonnet
from the play “The Real McCoy” by Andrew Moodie

​Music by Lal, Rosalind Mills, Nicholas Murray and V. de Tourdonnet


Inspired by the true life tale of Elijah McCoy, The Musical McCoy is an electronic musical about an inventor. Born in Canada to parents who escaped slavery, McCoy helped revolutionize the steam engine, despite epic challenges.  

In this beat-based musical, McCoy’s advances  in 19th-century technology are driven by a 21st century electronica score- which bridges his innovative spirit with our own age.

Having lost his own mother in childbirth, Elijah strives through science to push back the inevitable hand of Death. But Death herself-  his nemesis personified- merely laughs. 



Recorded Excerpts- 1 min X 5
September 2019 new full draft-
March 2020: Compact version

We completed a new draft of the book and lyrics in late 2019. We're excited by the deepened dramatic arc of the story, and grateful for extensive feedback from so many great folks, subsequent to our Act I Equity workshop in Toronto. 

The text of the full new draft - with 11 accompanying recorded demos-  is available on request. Running time is about 2 hours. The ensemble cast breakdown is for actors of any gender to perform 3 black women, 3 black men, and 2 white men. 

Currently, the team is preparing a condensed version of the musical- with a running time of 60-70 minutes- with an eye to workshop and festival presentation. 

If you would like to read (and hear) either version, please request it by clicking above on "Bio and Contact".  (please name your producing entitiy and send a link)

Below are a few sample demos, including the new full-length, 10 minute opening sequence. 
​



DEMOS

Click to download/open this PDF text to read along for demos 1. & 2, below- 10 minute opening sequence. 
​(Writer's Demos)
1. Energy
mccoy-opening-_2019_.pdf
File Size: 198 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
​2. This World/ Transportation Revolution
Vincent de Tourdonnet, Rosalind Mills, Nicholas Murray
 Equity Workshop
 Sat. Feb. 4 & 5, 2017 at Array Space in Toronto

CAST*: Alana Hibbert, Daren Herbert, David Keeley, Edward Glen, Lisa Michelle Cornelius, Matthew Brown, Nicole Brooks, Rudy Webb.
 DIRECTION: Andrew Moodie*​ 

Funding by The National Arts Centre, The Shaw Festival, The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, The Toronto Arts Council and The Grand Theatre in London. 

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the DanceOperaTheatre Policy. 
Video discussion (now somewhat dated)  with Andrew Moodie and Vincent de Tourdonnet of The Musical McCoy, March 2013. 7 Min. 
​
3. Upon The Moon
Elijah's demanding Scottish engineering professor has been impressed by the talents of the young Elijah.  
(From the 2017 Equity workshop- Professor Rankine: David Keeley, Young Elijah: Matthew Brown. 

4.  The Train Must Never Stop 
The unexpected death of his father has caused Elijah to deepen his commitment- how can life be made safer- more stable? 
(Studio demo with Thom Allison, Andrew Moodie and Jewelle Blackman) 

5. ACT I Finale

Elijah’s revolutionary lubrication device has been successfully demonstrated to his bosses. But he's been so busy inventing that he barely noticed that his wife’s cough was getting very bad indeed... 
From left: Vincent de Tourdonnet, Rosalind Mills, Nicholas Murray, Andrew Moodie
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Acknowledgements:
All of our progress to date has been made possible thanks to the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council,  the National Arts Centre's "Collaborations" program, the Shaw Festival, and the Grand Theatre.