oghond2112

That's right! My RUSH-based musical, Freewill in 2112, will be updated yet again, but this time, with some BIG changes...

 

Most notably- you remember KOKGNAB? The arrogant, third-person speaking, alien leader and delegate of the Solar Federation? Yeah- he's no longer the main antagonist. But that doesn't mean "Tom Sawyer" is gone, nor is KOKGNAB.

 

So, who's the new antagonist? The monarchy- who happen to ACTUALLY BE THE BNK RACE, disguised as humans. Specifically, the new main antagonist is the current monarch, NETECROF, who takes on KOKGNAB's original personality. KOKGNAB, who is the complete OPPOSITE of what he was before (he is now a complete buffoon), is now his second-in-command, disguised as the "archduke" of Hilltop, CT. Meaning now it's NETECROF who is the "modern-day warrior."

 

But there's still the elephant in the room: how does this whole monarchy system work now?

 

Back when the monarchy were actually people, the system was your average hierarchy. But now that they're aliens (and no one knows it), the monarchy works a bit differently. The BNK race get a bit more information behind them to explain how the monarchy was able to churn out (mostly) perfectly obedient people in a span of 50 years: they are shapeshifters who can take any form they desire, and they reproduce asexually- even when shapeshifted. How do they explain this? "The monarchy marries early." They disguise it as sexual reproduction, when it isn't. As for the method at which they created mostly obedient people? Simple: they're just that good at it.

 

Now, how does this change the plot and songs?

 

Surprisingly, not all that much. The New World visit still happens; many of the songs are still kept intact (the only song to be added in is "Between the Wheels"); the main characters still exist; and the basic plot is practically the same. However, there are some major changes as well, which I'll get to later. For now, what do you think of the change in antagonist and the new twist?

Sad piece of RUSH fan art:

One Little Victory

 

WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?!

...I am now seriously considering a Theory of Everything-based musical. Sounds crazy, I know. A ton of questions are going through my mind, and admittedly, this would work MUCH better as a play than a musical, even though many of the RUSH songs used here are NOT hits and are extremely emotional songs. The biggest question, of course, is: how can the actor playing Stephen Hawking sing about his problems with ALS and pneumonia if ALS and pneumonia left him unable to sing? Well, I have a bit of an idea. I don't know if this is offensive, and I apologize if it is, but here goes.

 

For the entire first part of the show, from "Cygnus X-1" all the way up to "Available Light" (after Hawking gets the ALS diagnosis), whoever is playing Stephen Hawking (preferably, Eddie Redmayne himself) will be on stage, bursting into songs about black holes, galaxies, light and so on.

 

Then he will be hit with ALS and start to lose his ability to speak. And here's where things get crazy.

 

Normally, people would be thinking, "This is why 'The Theory of Everything' will work better as a play. If you have Stephen Hawking singing RUSH songs about his problems, no one will take this show seriously. Especially since he is losing his ability to speak and, therefore, sing."

 

Except for one thing. The song he sings when he starts losing his ability to speak is (what else?) "Losing It." But by that point, Eddie Redmayne will not be playing Hawking anymore. It will be another actor who is in that wheelchair, and he will not be the one singing "Losing It" because no one will be able to understand him.

 

So, how can he sing "Losing It"?

 

Simple: Redmayne's not playing Hawking, yet at the same time, he is.

 

While the new Hawking actor sits in a wheelchair and types words, Redmayne will be the walking, talking personification of Hawking's subconcious.

 

Every single song that is performed by Hawking as a solo, among them "Bravado," from that point on will have the first line be sung by the actual actor playing Hawking in the wheelchair, before Redmayne steps on stage. For "Bravado," for instance, the music will start and you will hear the famous voice of Hawking utter the words "If we burn our wings, flying too close to the sun."

 

Then in walks Redmayne, who will sing that line, and perform the entire song while the words are typed on Hawking's computer. From this point on, Hawking's musical numbers are no longer "bursting into song on a whim." They are his thoughts. They are what he wishes he could sing, because he can't actually sing them, per ce. All this information will be relayed at the beginning of the show so that no one in the audience will be confused when Hawking sits at his computer and "sings" the first line of "Bravado," then all of a sudden they see Eddie Redmayne walk out on stage and sing the rest of the song ("WHY ARE THERE TWO STEPHEN HAWKINGS?! THIS IS SACRILEDGE!" etc.).

 

Like I said, "The Theory of Everything" would work way better as a play than a musical, but even then the musical could be dramatic because of songs like "Bravado," "Losing It," "Available Light," and "How It Is." All of which are EXTREMELY sad RUSH songs. Besides, I have not heard of ANY musical ever where a person's subconcious is personified. Besides, let's face it: Stephen Hawking's personified mind singing RUSH songs? Stephen Hawking singing RUSH songs, period? That would have been AWESOME.

 

RIP Stephen Hawking. May you live on among the stars. By the way, this is The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne (who can sing- and sing WELL) as Hawking: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Theory_of_Everything_(2014_film)

I have another suggestion. Imagine this:

 

You are Stephen Hawking.

You have been diagnosed with ALS.

You are told you have only two years to live.

 

What do you do?

 

You decide to make the most of your life now, not knowing you'll live for about 5 more decades and go against all doctors.

 

In other words, you'd be thinking:

"I want to look at life

"In the available light..."

Stephen Hawking died today.

 

Immediately thought of Cygnus X-1.

 

Any other RUSH songs that would fit Hawking's life and struggles with ALS?

22/12 oh so close. Imagine??? Anyone else think the same thing????

 

I was extremely excited when it was 21-12 for about 30 seconds!!!

RIP RUSH.

Note, however: Freewill in 2112 is NOT based on 2112 (the album/movement). They are two different things.

And by the way, this is a proposal. If these shows were made, which would make it to B-way first?

Well, then...

 

Freewill in 2112, in case you didn't know, is a fanmade musical I created based on the music of RUSH. The plot is:

 

"It's 2112. America has been taken over by a monarchy obsessed with obedience, and its citizens are completely devoid of freewill. The only people who believe in freewill, the Genalsikoffs, are looked down upon in society due to their beliefs. No one has it more bad than Thomas Genalsikoff and his android Barchetta uncle Barchy, who are firmly against constant blind obedience and support democracy. But when a strange new alien force invades and enslaves the citizens of Hilltop, Connecticut, Thomas and Barchy must convince the citizens to do something that they haven't done since before the monarchy: rebel against tradition- and the authority- to assert their freewill. In the process, they travel across dimensions, discover the secrets of the mysterious Solar Federation, and learn that they can't have freedom for free."

 

I have a entire thread about it called I WROTE A RUSH-BASED MUSICAL. Check out my latest post for info about the full plot and all the songs.

 

I would vote if I had an idea of what the hell you were talking about

 

...You don't know what Freewill in 2112 is, do you?

As much as I want to see Freewill in 2112 (my RUSH-based musical) on B-way, my money's on Clockwork Angels. But I wouldn't mind it; I read the book and listened to the album, and both are AMAZING!!!!

 

FI2112 probably won't make it because it hasn't gotten too much word of mouth...

Wikipedia just changed their page on RUSH to say, "Rush WAS a Canadian prog Rock band..."

 

IT'S OFFICIAL, FOLKS!!!!

2112 is... meh. Except Temples of Syrinx.

 

And I mean the track. The album is meh, too. Except for "Something for Nothing," and ToS.

 

What about the musical you wrote based on 2112?

 

What about your sn?

 

I can never trust a TRFer with “2112” in their sn. You’re all nuts!!! :P

 

I would like to clarify that Freewill in 2112, despite what the title may imply, is NOT based on 2112. It does take place at the same time, and features the Solar Federation, but if it were actually based on the track it would contain a guy committing suicide and would be focused on the Syrinx.

FREEWILL IN 2112 SECOND DRAFT PLOT:

 

Act One:

In the year 2112, Benjamin “Barchy” Genalsikoff, an android Barchetta, explains the tradition-holding ways of the town of Hilltop, and how everyone must play their part in society (“Closer to the Heart”). His nephew, Thomas, is also a Genalsikoff, a name which means “rebelling against tradition.” On one of his shifts, Thomas expresses his desire to be seen as more than just a member of the working class and rather as an actual asset to America ("Working Man"). His parents, Samuel and Amanda, catch him sneaking out to go to his uncle's farm for a drive, and Samuel is furious. He hands his son a Chruddist bible and tells him, to his face, that he is just a "working man," much to Thomas' desperation. He leaves for Barchy's farm, where he tells Barchy about his plight. Barchy encourages his nephew to follow his own path in life and assures him that he will always be there for his son, despite their differences ("Entre Nous"). Unfortunately, Thomas is caught by Samuel, who forbids Thomas from ever visiting his uncle’s farm again, and sends him back home. Meanwhile, a mysterious alien leader named KOKGNAB expresses his plans to take over Hilltop.

 

At home, Thomas is expected to carry on the family tradition of being a plowsman, but Thomas dreams instead of a greater life where no one is blinded by tradition in the same way that an actor is blinded by fame ("Limelight"). He runs away to go back to Barchy’s farm, only to find that Hilltop has been visited by strange space leaders, led by the arrogant KOKGNAB. Proclaiming themselves to be the modern-day “Tom Sawyer,” they announce that they will rule tyrannically over Hilltop, and Thomas is scared for his life. Needing to find his way out, he leaves for the one place where he can be comfortable: Barchy’s farm. There, he is shocked to see Barchy’s human form get vaporized in front of him.

 

Stunned by this, Thomas asks Barchy what is going on. Barchy explains to Thomas that he never was a human at all; he is actually an android from the past named B-CYGNUS-68 who somehow managed to survive, and kept his secret after being forced to do so by the monarchy, who he is on the run from (“The Body Electric”). Shortly after this, he takes on the form of his own Barchetta, in effect making him an android car. The news shocks Thomas, but he affirms that he still loves Barchy and will fight for freewill. Because Barchy is an android, he has a hard drive stored in his car that contains directions to new dimensions. The two manage to drive far away from Hilltop (“Fly By Night”) and into a place that they have never seen before: a place they call the New World of the Peacilion. Meanwhile, in Hilltop, Thomas’ parents are worried about their sons’ whereabouts, but are unable to search for their son due to them being used as slaves by KOKGNAB.

 

In the New World, Thomas meets a young girl named Marcia, who is a skilled alien fighter and a member of the New Worlders, a group of democratic freedom fighters who are devoted to defeating the Solar Federation. The Solar Federation is explained to be a group of five planets, each with their own alien race: the Geerps, the Yammers, the Syrinx, the By-Tors, and a mysterious fifth alien race. She invites Thomas and Barchy to the selection of the "Third Man of the Peacilion," to which they both agree. When Barchy explains Thomas’ story, the citizens of the New World hail him (“New World Man”) and plan to hold a festival in his honor. The festival is filled with music, and Thomas explains that he has never listened to music in his life. Barchy explains to him “The Spirit of the Radio,” and Thomas finds music enjoyable. Marcia is attracted to Thomas’ rebellious nature, and decides to follow him back to Hilltop, where KOKGNAB and the aliens have assumed full control ("Grand Finale-2112").

 

Act Two

Under the control of KOKGNAB, the slaves express their dislike and helplessness towards the situation they are in (“Red Sector A”). In Hilltop, Thomas and Barchy are shocked to find everyone enslaved by the aliens. Thomas’ parents see him and beg for help. Upon seeing Barchy, they are in shock, and Thomas promptly reveals Barchy's secret to his parents. This shocks and angers Samuel, who feels as though he was fooled. Despite Barchy and Thomas' protests, Samuel disowns his brother for being "a product against the Motor Law" and tells Thomas that he doesn't deserve to love him the way he does. Barchy is saddened, but Thomas cheers him up ("Entre Nous (reprise)"). He soon realizes that Barchy's farm is under threat. Thomas runs off and explains to a concerned Marcia the story of the Motor Law, and Marcia sympathizes with him. Realizing his family could be in danger, Thomas and Barchy leave. Left alone, Marcia expresses her desire to end the world of oppressive monarchies (“A Farewell to Kings”).

 

Thomas, Barchy and Marcia leave Barchy’s farm and are shocked to find Samuel and Amanda doing slave work under KOKGNAB’s control. Seeing how the town of Hilltop is unable to escape from the command of the space leaders due to their traditions, Thomas tries to get his family to rebel (“Something For Nothing”). However, it is in vain, and the family berates him. Unfortunately, this angers KOKGNAB, who decides to enslave Barchy and Thomas. He suggests to Thomas that he join him, but he refuses to take an offer. In response, KOKGNAB enslaves Barchy, to both Thomas and Marcia’s shock.

 

Finally deciding he has had enough of KOKGNAB, Thomas berates him for enslaving his family, and then inadvertently plays the opening code of “YYZ.” To Thomas’ shock, it decreases the energy of KOKGNAB and frees Barchy. Barchy and Thomas manage to escape and travel back to the New World after they recieve a report that the alien race has been identified. In the New World, Barchy, Thomas and Marcia recieve news from the mayor that the alien race that has invaded Hilltop has been identified as the BNK race, a tyrannical dictatorship from space and the fifth alien race of the Solar Federation that had previously been unknown about. They all recieve musical instruments to defeat KOKGNAB. Realizing the danger his family and the citizens of Hilltop are in, Thomas and the others go back to Hilltop (“Fly By Night (reprise)”) and prepare to fight the BNK aliens to defeat them once and for all.

 

Meanwhile, Amanda begins considering Thomas’ words to her earlier, much to Samuel’s dismay, as he insists on following the Motor Law. Finally having had enough of both the Motor Law and her husband, Amanda stands up to Samuel, asking him if he was right to disown Barchy and follow the law all the time, finally causing Samuel to consider his wife’s position and break down in regret (“The Pass”). Right as Samuel is starting to have second thoughts, KOKGNAB appears- soon followed by Thomas, Barchy, Marcia, and the New World Army. An epic fight scene occurs, in which everybody is freed to the tune of “YYZ” and Thomas is reunited with his regretful parents. In a final stand, Thomas gets the town together in a bunker and demand they rebel against the authorities. The town states that they can’t, because as horrible as the alien race is, they must follow tradition.

 

At that moment, Barchy intervenes and proceeds to read an excerpt from the Constitution (which has been deemed unholy), finally unlocking the citizens' sense of “Freewill.” The citizens of Hilltop go to confront KOKGNAB, and in the process it is discovered that the true weakness of the BNK race is an expression of freewill of any kind. KOKGNAB is weakened substantially, but in an act of revenge breaks Barchy's hard drive, causing him to lose all memories of his relationship with Thomas and fight for democracy. Devastated, Thomas tries to remind him of all the times they had together ("Red Barchetta"). This declaration of love is an expression of freewill, and the BNK race is finally defeated. Barchy returns to normal due to data overload, and the town celebrates their newfound sense of freewill. Over the course of six months, the mayor and citizens of the New World return to their dimension, and the Solar Federation becomes defunct. America once again becomes a democracy, Thomas and Marcia begin dating, Samuel is elected president, and Barchy no longer has to put up a masquerade to the world. With America restored to its former glory, the characters alert the audience about the dangers of oppression (Finale: "Anthem/"Something For Nothing (reprise").

 

 

 

 

I was killing time a while back trying to write a story that unified most of the albums - its post #11 in this thread

 

Seems interesting! The new plot for Freewill in 2112 will be coming soon, so keep your eyes open!

These are the opening liner notes of 2112:

 

"I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here, just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple Paper in the evening.

 

My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surving planets were banded together under the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons.

 

I believed what I was told, I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found something that changed it all..."

 

WHY IS NEIL PEART SO VAGUE? WHERE IS THE SOLAR FEDERATION?!?!

 

It sounds like it's on Earth, in our own Solar System, but there could also be the possibility of another Earth-like planet, in another galaxy, with human-like alien life and all sorts of tech stolen from Earth... AND that the SF is actually a group of alien races, of which the Syrinx are chief among them...

 

Question: Where is it?

 

Rather, where do you think it is? Earth doesn't have twin moons...

2112 is... meh. Except Temples of Syrinx.

 

And I mean the track. The album is meh, too. Except for "Something for Nothing," and ToS.

2112 is... meh. Except Temples of Syrinx.

News:

 

Freewill in 2112 to recieve MAJOR OVERHAUL!!!

 

New plot ideas have come to light as Draft 3 of the script begins. Among the changes:

- "Red Barchetta" will move to the end of the show and "Entre Nous" will take its place

- BYE-BYE, "Marathon"!!

- The New Worlders are no longer resistance fighters for their own dimension- they are now a democracy-loving society who fear that the Solar Federation is the greatest threat to democracy, hence they are trying to stop it for all dimensions

- The monologue prior to "Closer to the Heart" is expanded

- BYE-BYE, BARCHY'S TWIN NEPHEWS!

- KOKGNAB gets a very short scene prior to the "Limelight" scene in which he reveals his plan

- Several scenes will be shortened

 

The new plot will be revealed on this site in full. Most of the songs will be kept.

Fave: THE PASS

Least Fave: Far Cry

1: Freewill (TO FREEWILL! IN 2112! MAY AMERICA THRIVE ON DEMOCRACY...)

2: The Spirit of Radio

3: Entre Nous

4: Natural Science

5: Jacob's Ladder

6: Different Strings

 

*NOTE: In case you are unaware, the lines after the word "Freewill" are from the title toast at the end of Freewill in 2112. The full toast:

 

To freewill! (all repeat)

In 2112! (all repeat)

May America thrive on democracy! (all repeat)

And may the virtues of our Founding Fathers... (all repeat)

...never die! (all repeat)

We choose freewill! (all repeat)

 

Replace "2112" with "2017," and it still applies.

Contains RUSH references. A Pokemon fanfic. Will best be understood if you have played Pokemon Sun/Moon or Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. Enjoy! https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12779932/2/Between-Sun-and-Moon

Three RUSH albums (FBN, Permanent Waves, Clockwork Angels) and the CA novelization.