COPLAND & TWAIN

An American 250 Celebration

Will America grow from its wounds
to develop a deeper love for our neighbors?

Or will we let our scars tear us asunder?

A new theatrical concert from Bill Barclay fusing Aaron Copland’s stirring incidental music with Mark Twain’s poignant observations of a changing America.

Five ethnically diverse actors perform in costume in front of full orchestra, with projections.

Music

Music by Aaron Copland

Written and Directed by
Bill Barclay

Five Actors
Costumes, Lights, and Furniture

Two versions:
Full Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra

Part I: 1 hour
Part II (optional):
30 minutes

COPLAND Music for Movies and Music for Theatre freshly adapted with actors
JAMES LEE III Freedom’s Genuine Dawn (with text by Frederick Douglass)
JOAN TOWER Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
COPLAND The Promise of Living, from The Tender Land Suite

Text

Mark Twain’s Diaries of Adam and Eve form a through-line with observations from dozens of apocryphal stories, speeches, and articles from America’s greatest humorist.

The combinative voices of these two critical pillars of American identity soothe the polarizing questions vexing our body politic today with majesty, tolerance, wisdom, and humour.

World Premiere: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, May 8-10, 2026

TICKETS

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