I’m delighted to present the new music video for the opening song “It’s The End” from the new musical “The Burning of the White House” – to which I have co-authored the book and written the lyrics.

“The Burning of the White House” is the story of the young slave Paul Jennings and his coming into freedom and manhood during the British invasion of Washington, DC during the War of 1812.

In this opening piece, we meet the young Paul Jennings for the first time and witness chaos engulf the White House as Congressmen learn the British have landed in Maryland and are making their way for Washington DC.

Enjoy!!

I’m happy to announce that my collaborator Norman L. Berman and I have released a new demo song for our exciting, epic musical “The Burning of the White House.”

Entitled “Mistuh Tree”, the song is sung by the main character of the play – 15-year-old Paul Jennings, a house slave to James and Dolley Madison – who grows from boy to man during the chaos and drama surrounding the British invasion of Washington, DC and the burning of the White House during the War of 1812.

As Dolley Madison and her retinue flee the White House, Paul is accidentally left behind and captured by the British army. In short order, Paul is taken hostage and his very life is threatened – but thankfully, he is able to flee and escape British clutches. In desperation, the young slave finds refuge up a nearby tree, as British soldiers search for him below. While up the tree, Paul considers his precarious situation and the fact that he almost lost his life for the very people who have enslaved him.

“Mistuh Tree” is a song of both bitterness and empowerment, as Paul considers his condition as a slave and embraces a brave determination to be a free man.

Many thanks to Norman for managing this beautiful recording and for the excellent singer, Tonnocus McClain, who has brought such passion and feeling to the song.

Hope you enjoy the audio!

I’m thrilled to announce that composer Norman Berman and I have released a new song from our epic new musical “The Burning of The White House.”

The song – entitled “It’s The End” – is the opening number of the piece and basically takes up an entire, dramatic scene as the British loom off the American coast in the War of 1812.

As the song begins, we’re in the White House, where Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, is holding one of her famous soirees while Congress is in emergency session. Alas, the mood is dire, as British warships are looming off the coast of Maryland and Congressmen are terrified of a potential invasion. The anti-war party is led by Senator King of New York, who blames the war on President Madison and spars with Dolley, while leading other Congressmen in ever greater hysterics.

Meanwhile, we meet the young slave, Paul Jennings – smart, sassy, and a bit full of himself. He’s busy showing a new slave named Henry how to navigate etiquette at the White House. However, Paul cares less about etiquette – or even the British invasion, for that matter – than he does his desire for a brand new pair of fancy shoes.

Eventually, a messenger brings news to the assembled crowd that the British have landed in Maryland and are making for Washington D.C. – at which point, chaos ensues.

The musical version here of the scene is a bit truncated, but still gives a brilliant feel for the piece and represents about 80% of the opening scene as-is.

Many thanks to the vocal talent of Keith Colclough, Lisa Vroman, Jarrett Johnson, Dylan Gentile, Edmund Rodriquez, James Hayden, and Mark Edward Smith!

The great Norman Berman and I have released another new song from our epic musical “The Burning of the White House” – the true story of the 1814 invasion of Washington DC by the British, as seen through the eyes of a young slave to President and Dolley Madison.

In this song, Dolley Madison, the flamboyant wife of President James Madison, is trying to liven the spirits of her husband, who is about to go off to war and fight the British in Maryland.

The situation appears dire, but Dolley refuses to think negatively and insists on planning a magnificent feast for her husband when he returns from what she believes will be a decisive victory.

…but then, Dolley may not be quite as sure of this victory as it seems.

I’m thrilled to say that composer Norman Berman and I have released a new song from our epic musical “The Burning of the White House”!

“The Burning of the White House” is the true story of Paul Jennings, a young slave to President and Mrs. Madison, and his growth from boy to man while living through the British invasion of the nation’s capital and the subsequent burning of the White House in the War of 1812 – a seminal even in the nation’s history (and now quite topical).

In this song (the final musical number), young Paul, James and Dolley Madison, and various other servants and politicians have returned to the smoking hull of the White House after the British leave the city and now face the enormous task of rebuilding the structure that served for so many people as a symbol of the nation.

The song traces the emotional highs and lows of all present as they cope with the enormity of the task before them – first with pessimism, then with hope, then with humble reality.

I am happy to release a new recording of the song “I Look Behind Me” from the musical “The Burning of the White House”, which I am almost finished writing (after four years) with the great composer Norman Berman.

Set against the backdrop of the War of 1812 and the British invasion of Washington DC, the play charts the young slave Paul Jennings and his growth from boy to man during the trauma of the nation’s invasion and the burning of the White House by the British.

The song “I Look Behind Me” is sung by President Madison (pictured above) after he lost the Battle of Bladensburg in Maryland, which enabled the British to lay waste to the capital, prompting the deeply shamed Madison to reflect on his responsibility for the tragedy.

Some more exciting song releases are on their way!

My good friend and composer Norman Berman has released a new version of the song “Here Is I” from our upcoming musical “The Burning of the White House”.

Briefly, “The Burning of the White House” is about Paul Jennings, the 15-year-old house slave to President and Mrs. Madison, who discovers his true heroism, strength, and purpose, living through one of the most momentous event in the nation’s history – the burning of the White House by the British in 1814.

The song “Here I Is” is an ironic duet sung by the young slave (and a 50-year-old version of himself) to Dolley Madison, as the younger Paul becomes evermore conscious of his desire for freedom, while also trying to balance the mother-son relationship he has with Dolley with the painful reality of his enslavement.

You can visit this website for more details about the show!

I’m very happy to be able to post this neat little demo song from the musical “Paul Jennings and The Burning of the White House,” which I’m currently writing with playwright and composer Norman L. Berman.

In this musical, we follow the story of Paul Jennings, a slave to President and Dolley Madison, and his journey of survival and self-discovery during the British burning of Washington, DC in August 1814.

The recent demo song – “Give ‘Em a Kick” – is sung by the 15-year-old Paul Jennings early in Act One. Young Paul is smart, opinionated, saucy, and big with dreams, despite his lowly status in American society. When he feels the rest of the world doesn’t quite accord him the respect he deserves, Paul lets loose with this song, to the annoyance of the other White House servants.

(Photograph of the older Paul Jennings)

Soloist: Olly Sholotan
Ensemble: David Lee, Tonoccus McClain, Fredericka Meek, and Maiya Sykes

You can listen to the song below.