Robert John Ford
Robert John Ford is an award-winning playwright, composer and lyricist whose theatrical works have been produced in New York, California, Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan, New Hampshire and his home state of Iowa. He is an associate member of Dramatists Guild, the executive director of Right Brain Productions, and an active member of the theatre community in Iowa, where he has received numerous, grants, commissions, and awards.
Robert is the book writer, composer, and lyricist for the following musicals:
CAUCUS! THE MUSICAL, a political satire that lampoons the Iowa Caucuses and how this undersized state plays an oversized role in the presidential nomination process. This full-length musical features 20 characters – from a “typical” Iowa farm family to the slick candidates who will do anything to win their votes – and 14 original songs, including “It’s Time To Go To Iowa,” “Anything For A Vote,” “The Tough Question Sidestep,” and “Get Off Your Sorry Ass And Vote.” The premiere productions in Des Moines and Portsmouth, New Hampshire in January 2008 were seen by more than 3,000 people from more than 30 states and 15 countries, featured in more than 200 media stories (including CNN, The CBS Evening News, ABC Nightline, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, TIME Magazine, Newsweek, and US News & World Report), and was called “the hottest new musical in the country” by The Washington Post. Please visit www.caucusthemusical.com for more information.
SIX-ON-SIX: THE MUSICAL, a musical comedy that celebrates the unique game of girls’ six-on-six basketball in Iowa, including the history, rules, colorful personalities and controversy that ultimately brought the sport to an end. This full-length musical features roles for more than 30 actors and 17 original songs. The premiere production presented in February 2005 drew more than 4,500 audience members for just five performances. A major new production is scheduled for February and March 2009, with performances in Des Moines and tentatively in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
THE WORLD’S LARGEST ALUMINUM FOIL BALL, a dark comedy set in a Midwest roadside attraction included on the Department of Homeland Security’s list of potential terrorist targets. This one-act five-character musical features nine original songs and was voted "Best Show" in a Des Moines Register online poll at the 2007 Iowa Fringe Festival (out of 49 shows) and was designated by the St. Paul Pioneer Press as the first “must see” production of the 2007 Minnesota Fringe Festival (out of 140 shows).
ROLFE! THE MUSICAL, a comedy about Rolfe (from The Sound of Music) detailing his transformation from a lovelorn gazebo-dancing teenager to confused Hitler Youth member. This full-length musical features 14 original songs and a cast of 10. A touring production is scheduled to begin in July 2009.
TRICE, a full-length musical drama that explores the life of Jack Trice – the first African-American to play college football in the Midwest – and his tragic death in his first competitive game. This play is currently in development.
TELL ME A STORY, a full-length musical for children’s theatre currently in development.
He is also the book writer for the following musical:
FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS: A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH, an irreverent comedy featuring the music of pop icon Neil Diamond and an off-beat story set in a Mexican textiles factory.
He is the writer of the following plays:
THE CASSEROLE BRIGADE, a comedy that focuses on four widowed women and their creative ways to meet eligible senior bachelors. In 2007, the play was presented in a new play festival in New York, was featured at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Alaska, and has been optioned for a possible off-Broadway production.
SLEEPING DOGS, a drama that is centered around two mothers who are trying to uncover the facts surrounding an accident that has left one mother’s son dead and another mother’s son comatose. The play was selected for the 2008 Last Frontier Theatre Conference and will be presented by Des Moines' Tallgrass Theatre Company in January 2009 -- please visit the TTC website at www.tallgrasstheatre.org.
MY DINNER WITH ANDREW, an autobiographical, two-person play about the playwright's daily interactions with gay serial killer Andrew Cunanan in the year leading up to his cross-country killing spree.
WAKE, a drama that examines how one man comes to terms with the death of his long-time partner from AIDS. In 1992, the play received its first reading at the Old Globe Theatre and was a finalist in several regional playwriting contests.