Over two million people visit Iceland annually, eager to explore its black beaches and blue glaciers while driving the Ring Road in search of the elusive Northern Lights. Four tourists believe they have signed up for a free volunteer trip to help "repair damage caused by local elements" in Iceland. They are technically correct, but definitely not in the way they expected. The journey they get wrapped up in brings the very problems they were running away from to the surface.
The Valley is a story about redemption, taking action in the face of impossible odds, and discovering what it means to find a new normal. It is a contemporary dramatic comedy with a running time of approximately two hours.
This musical has a contemporary pop-rock score with influences ranging from Icelandic folk music and progressive rock to Disney ballads and swing jazz.
Book & Lyrics by Jamie Maletz
Music by Eric Fegan
PRODUCTIONS/RECOGNITION:
Staged Reading at ASU in Februrary 2022 (Upcoming)
Staged Reading at Berklee in December 2020
29-Hour Reading at Pearl Studios in September 2019 (Kevin Hourigan, director; Eric Fegan, music director)
Featured In-Concert at Feinstein's/54 Below in June 2019
29-Hour Reading at The Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program (NYU Tisch) in May 2019 (Scott Ebersold, director; Matthew Stephens, music director)
Cast/Set Requirements and Production Details
The Valley is in two acts and lasts approximately two hours. There are minimal dancing requirements.
CAST SIZE: 7-10
PRINCIPALS
4 Women
3 Men
CHARACTERS
HALLDÓRA GUNNARSDÓTTIR (Low Mezzo, F#3-E5): A native of Iceland who is universally despised and outcast. She is awkward, and she tries to be meek but often can’t help saying what she thinks. She is desperate to earn redemption and be ‘normal’ like everyone else.
Age range: 20s-early 30s.
COLBY LAURENT (Soprano, G3-G#5): A charismatic, adventurous, empathetic person. She is outdoorsy, good-natured, and finds the fun in everything she does. She was recently diagnosed with ALS, and she has been avoiding the issue as much as she can ever since. Age range: late 20s-early 30s.
ZANE MATTISON (Baritone, Ab2-G4): An optimistic, genuine, endearing goofball. Kind of like the human embodiment of a dad joke. He is Colby’s fiancé. While he has passions and interests outside of the relationship, his love for Colby is the most outstanding thing he knows. Age range: late 20s-early 30s.
HANNAH RAMOS (Mezzo, G#3-E5): A smart, observant perfectionist. She is a passionate and determined person, an environmentalist, and a bit uptight. She gets flustered about the things in life that cannot be planned or controlled. She just graduated from UCSD. Age range: early 20s.
FREDDY LOWELL (Tenor, C#3-Bb4): A well-meaning yet self-entitled guy who is, in his own words, painfully average in every way. He is desperate to find a way to stand out and become ‘the guy you root for’. He is Hannah’s best friend from college and has been in love with her for years. Age range: early 20s.
ÞÓRA (Mezzo, F#3-F#5): A blind, surly oracle who can see every possible version of the future. She was originally the guardian of the Valley of Immortality, but she was betrayed and scared into hiding. She is blunt and dry, and she is NOT HAPPY that she has to lead this group. Age range: Flexible; she’s magical and ageless.
JÖKULDÝR (Baritenor, G2-G4): The half-demon, half-troll monster who stole the Valley of Immortality from Þóra. He was originally the guardian of the Valley of Death (he now controls both valleys). He is self-assured, arrogant, and power hungry. When he is trying to trick someone, he can be very smooth. When he is angry or trying to take things by force, he is straight-up terrifying. Age range: Flexible; he’s magical and ageless.
PLEASANT VOICE (Non-Singing): A helpful guidebook, providing you with all the information you could want about Iceland. And also information you probably don’t want.
ENSEMBLE: Local Icelanders (townspeople in Vik, Gunnar, museum guests in Hólmavík), Jökuldýr’s hiddenfolk minions
Set Requirements
In this musical, our characters travel from one location to another in camper vans. Scenes alternate between scenes "on the road" where the characters are in separate camper vans, and adventurous scenes where the characters are in various locations in Iceland. Locations include: The village of Vík í Mýrdal, Baula Mountain, the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft, and more.
The Perusal Packet is free, and it contains a full synopsis, script excerpt and sheet music excerpt. Email jamie.maletz@gmail.com to request one.
Jamie Elizabeth Maletz is a composer/lyricist, bookwriter, and producer of new works of musical theater. In New York, her works have been featured at Lincoln Center, Feinstein's/54 Below, NYU, Dixon Place, Under St Marks Theater, and Broadway Night at Prohibition. She received her MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU Tisch. Maletz has written 12 full-length original musicals, most of which have received workshops/readings or productions in New York and Arizona. As a composer/lyricist, Jamie has studied with Mindi Dickstein, William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin, Michael John LaChiusa, Steven Lutvak and Sybille Pearson. Jamie has worked for Maestra Music, Tom Viertel/The Commercial Theater Institute and Ken Davenport.
She is a member of Maestra, ASCAP, and The Dramatists Guild of America.
Maletz received her BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2011, where she designed her own major: Creative Writing and Composition for the Performing Arts. She spent her high school years at Boston Arts Academy, a performing arts high school from which she graduated as Valedictorian.
She is a monster enthusiast & mythology nerd, she loves board games, and she is a photographer/videographer whose favorite models are her two cats, Artemis and Batman.
No pressure, but please consider donating to support Jamie's ongoing projects:
Every little bit helps!