The Musical McCoy

Based on the play “The Real McCoy”
by Andrew Moodie
Lyrics by Vincent de Tourdonnet
Book by de Tourdonnet & Moodie
Music by Rosalind Mills, Lal & de Tourdonnet. 

Inspired by the true story of Elijah McCoy, The Musical McCoy is an electronica musical about a Black Canadian-born inventor driven to outwit death through science.

After losing his mother at birth, young McCoy vows to push back the inevitable hand of Death itself.

Working in America alongside his love, powerhouse Detroit suffragist Mary Delaney, McCoy revolutionizes the steam engine while she battles for women’s right to vote.

In this beat-based musical, McCoy’s explosive 19th-century innovations pulse through a 21st-century electronica score, bridging his spirit with our own age.

2023 Developmental Production
The team of The Musical McCoy produced a developmental showcase production at The Papermill Theatre in Toronto, an experience they found deeply rewarding and fulfilling. The team remains grateful to their stellar cast and crew, to the Todmorden Mills Historic Site, and to the Toronto Arts Council, The Shaw Festival, The Grand Theatre, Roseneath and The Canadian Stage Company, and the Ontario Arts Council. 



DEMOS

1.  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) 

2. Shake it Like an Earthquake
​Elijah is on a date at a Detroit skating pond. Mary Eleanor Delaney is joined by friends from "The Women's League". 
(Demo lead, and additional lyrics: Phoenix Pagliacci) 
Vincent de Tourdonnet, Rosalind Mills, Nicholas Murray
 Act I Equity Workshop
 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. 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.