I would like to write a glam rock musical based on the Enlightenment. This would probably be the greatest glam rock musical based on the Enlightenment ever (unless there are more). The major thing that is holding me back is funding. Also, my total lack of musical talent.
But regardless, I will post my ideas on how this would look just in case some talented people ever stumble upon this post and say, “Wow, that would be probably the greatest glam rock musical based on the Enlightenment ever. I must write that and give Michael [me] tickets and a t-shirt.” (Apparently, the creators of this believe that I can be bought off easily.)
At this point, some may ask “Why?” I’m glad you asked! It is the ultimate story of people being suppressed for thinking differently. Of young idealists fighting against the status quo. A battle of faith versus reason. Also, there would be wigs.
The story would begin with Galileo’s angst over having to recant his idea of a heliocentric universe. He would lament about how he has to hide the truth in order to live (under house arrest). This would just be the introduction to what is to come.
It would then follow Voltaire as he meets with his fellow Enlightened thinkers and the heads of government. He’d sing about his right to be heard, the importance of reason, and the awesomeness of coffee. Honestly, with his dry humor I could not see a better leading man.
Along the way, there would be a dream sequence in which John Locke has an epic guitar duel with Thomas Hobbes where they battle over the nature of man. Rousseau and Wollstonecraft would argue about a woman’s right to a proper education. And the gang would poke fun at what was accepted as truth.
My only concern is the ending. Do we end with the revolutions that were inspired by this period (US, French, and Latin American countries)? Or do we end with Napoleon assuming power after the failed French Revolution? I am leaning towards the Napoleon ending…possibly having him march on stage with the lights going off as he puts on his hat.
End with me!
I’d love to hear any suggestions in making this the greatest glam rock musical based on the Enlightenment ever!
Michael K. Milton ~ @42ThinkDeep 
I would definitely go see this greatest glam rock musical ever! As a bonus it would presumably get kids watching Velvet Goldmine. I just stumbled into your blog today and as a past City Year member it gives me hope there are teachers trying to do great things out there. I am not a kid person (or really a people person, for that matter) so I don’t know that could ever get back into the game, but thanks for doing what you do!
Also, I’d end with Napoleon.
I too love the Napoleon ending…it has an Empire Strikes Back kind of feel that I oh-so-enjoy. When the show opens, I will make sure to ask for good seats to all my fellow CY alums!
Thank you for reading and responding. I will make sure to watch Velvet Goldmine during my April break because I am sure it would be right up my alley.
What are you up to now? I’m always curious where other alums end up doing. My wife (also a CY alum of a different corps) is working in the banking industry.
Well I did CY two years ago, before I started college, so that sort of kept me from a senior corp year. So school for a year, then I moved to Colombia for kicks, and now I’m back off to school studying graphic design (started out math/bio). I still have secret dreams of starting a math teaching revolution, but for now that’s on hold 🙂 (I recommend Lockhart’s Lament if you haven’t read it http://www.maa.org/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf)
It is pretty interesting to see how people continue with service/teaching or how it least informs their future. Or how they seem completely unaffected aside moving to their service city, heh.
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