Briar/Rose

The age-old story of a fairytale Princess banished by an evil queen, with a twist: the "Princess" is actually Briar, a transgender boy just discovering his identity. With help from a young sorceress, Briar is able to magically transform into his true self, and together they make a life for themselves deep in the Northern woods. But when dashing Prince Alister and his sister tumble into their lives, Briar’s simple life is suddenly much more complicated, and his mother casts a long shadow over what should be a happy ending. Join this cast of familiar characters as they explore a world where magic can unlock what lies inside your heart - for better or for worse… Read B/R Here >

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Where To Begin: The Official BriarRose Masterpost

Welcome to the official source of all things BriarRose, @briarroseofficial​!

The age-old story of a fairytale Princess banished by an evil queen, with a twist: the "Princess" is actually Briar, a transgender boy just discovering his identity. With help from a young sorceress, Briar is able to magically transform into his true self, and together they make a life for themselves deep in the Northern woods. But when dashing Prince Alister and Lady Knight Brunhilde tumble into their lives, Briar’s simple life is suddenly much more complicated, and his mother casts a long shadow over what should be a happy ending. Join this cast of familiar characters as they explore a world where magic can unlock what lies inside your heart - for better or for worse…

There’s lot of new content in the works, including interviews with actors who originated the main characters, behind-the-scenes footage of the rehearsal process, and short stories set in the world of the show. But for now, here’s how you can enter the world of BriarRose...

Read the Script! The only complete version of the story currently available if the libretto for the one-act musical, so this is the best place to start.

Explore this blog! The Intro page is a great place to start for an overview, and there are also pages for each major character, including concept art.

Watch the mini documentary about the rehearsal process for the cancelled world premier, featuring an interview with creator James T. Washburn.

The Ask box is open, so feel free to stop by and ask any questions, or just discuss queer art and representation!

All art by @sssara-b​

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CALL FOR ARTISTS

Visual artist needed for posters + character sketches to promote an upcoming queer fairytale musical!

Project Details:

• 1-2 poster designs

• 6 character sketches for promotional posts

First poster deadline in late January, with additional deadlines between February and May.

To Apply:

Please email your portfolio or work samples and rates, along with any questions, to [email protected].

The script & song recordings can be provided to interested artists upon request.

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Finally getting a full production - come be a part of Briar/Rose & queer musical theatre history!

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An excerpt from the first scenes of Phoenix Rising by James T. Washburn.

Artist applications for this unique Zine-style adaptation of the script are now open! Check out @phoenixrisingproject for more info, or apply here.

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Check out playwright James T. Washburn's latest project, featuring another of his trans-centric additions to a classic canon.

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Character Profile: Prince Alister

Prince Alister is the firstborn son of the King of the North. While he comes across as the typical “prince charming” type at first, he is a deeply sensitive young man who feels a strong sense of responsibility toward his subjects and those in need. His father has been planning a match for him since he was a child, but he has found every possible way to avoid it; it’s an open secret that he’s “not exactly the type to willingly marry a noblewoman.” His half-sister, Brunhilde, is his closest friend and confidante in a court full of scheming nobility.

In Alister’s Own Words:

Excerpts from an interview with the workshop cast Alister, J Kinsman

I played the role of Prince Alister, the dashing prince of the North whose main interest is other dashing princes. Alister is a gay man who is proud of who he is, who speaks openly about who he is without fear or second thought, and he loves a trans man without hesitation. Alister has hurt and he has now flourished. He is the level of queer self-confidence that I'm still trying to get to. As a nonbinary performer...I wanted to try playing the Prince who gets the princess (or prince, in this case!) and I wanted to play it as honestly as I could, because if I have the skills to do it, why should what's in my pants stop me?

Through this rehearsal process and my personal exploration of Alister, I've found that I identify with [his] fierce love and devotion. A prince through and through, the most noble part of him is his heart-- from the way he loves Briar unconditionally, to the way he loves his dad and his people with the most maturity and bravery he can muster. He isn't ready to take over the kingdom, he isn't ready to lose his father, but he knows what has to be done and he does it with love. Alister is afraid. He relies on his sister emotionally. He needs to be everything that's expected of him because risking disappointing the people around him is a paralyzing fear.

It was actually really interesting to build on Alister because I was maybe the third or fourth actor to play him, so I already had a pretty solid foundation to play with. I got to do the fun part, take the pretty face and swagger of the Prince and try to find the humanity inside him. Through script analysis and just being able to feel the character in a room of actors, I was able to discover the walls the character holds, what it takes for them to fall, and what happens when they do.

Art by @sssara-b

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Character Profile: Ellen

Ellen is a gifted sorceress who works as a maid in the Southern castle. While a bit “prickly,” she is also fiercely loyal and selfless. She came to the castle from a small village in the Valley, where her powers (among other differences) made it difficult to fit in.

In Ellen’s Own Words:

Excerpts from an interview with the workshop cast Ellen, Katya Orlov

This story is important because it shows representation of characters that are not in traditional fairy tales. It shows that those characters, those people, belong in the stories too. 

[I identify with Ellen because] working hard seems to be her way of survival...but [she] also loves to love. Her heart was made to help others in any way she could. She wants better for people who deserve it. I think I am the same in this way; Ellen's heart is probably more pure than mine though. 

[I love] her simpleness and her willingness to give up the past to move forward to something better. Although I was able to bring Ellen to life briefly, I would have loved to dive deeper into my development of her. This is what I hope to do again when this continues. 

The interesting thing about Ellen to me is her part in the story...she almost seems like the thread in the beaded necklace. Maybe it's her magic, but there's something about her that connects everything. 

Art by @sssara-b

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Issues Accessing the BriarRose Libretto

If you are trying to read the PDF of the script linked through this blog, please make sure you're using an email that is allowed to interact with other domains! Several public school emails accounts have tried to access it, and I was not allowed to make it accessible to them, nor did my emails get through when I tried to send a copy that way.

Unfortunately there's no way for me to contact these people, so please pass this along if possible! I feel terrible that there are readers getting blocked this way!

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The Valley

In this song, young sorceress Ellen confides her story to Briar as they become accustomed to life in the Northern woods. The Storyteller Ensemble takes on the role of her memories, in the form of the community she left behind to come to the castle.

For more BTS footage, and to read the full script, visit the BriarRose blog!

Lyrics:

STORYTELLERS Every day you rise in darkness And you greet the morning sun As it reaches out to hold you Until all the work is done

ELLEN Everyone is like the other And they greet you on their way To the work done by their fathers In a time that’s long gone by

STORYTELLERS Every day you rise in darkness And you greet the morning sun As it helps you watch your neighbours Until all the work is done

ELLEN And they know that you’re - well - different, And they keep a watchful eye But who else would cure what ails them? So they’re distant, but they’re kind

STORYTELLERS Every day you rise in darkness And you greet the morning sun As it sends away the spirits Until all the work is done ELLEN And you see the tanner’s daughter And she’s glowing in the light And you think if you were like her, Maybe you would be alright

STORYTELLERS Every day you rise in darkness And you greet the morning sun As it keeps away the spirits And the work is nearly done

ELLEN Now the winter locks our doors And I’m lonely every night For I’m not the tanner’s daughter And the chill begins to bite 

STORYTELLERS Every day is filled with darkness And you hardly see the sun But you feel the spirits’ presence And the work has all been done

WOMEN Now the daughters will have daughters, And we’ll bear our husbands sons Oh, but what of little Ellen Where we’re richest she has none

STORYTELLERS Every day is filled with darkness And you hardly see the sun But we each have one another And our lives have just begun

(a capella) Every day you rise in darkness And you greet the morning sun As it reaches out to hold you Until all the work is done

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Prologue: Rose Red

This song serves as an overture/opening for the show, immediately after the prologue scene in which the cast is welcomed into the world of the play. The cast is meant to be standing behind the audience, immersing them in the sounds and music of the world as Briar and Queen Alba take the stage.

Lyrics:

(in a 3-part round)

Rose, Rose, Rose, red Will I ever see thee wed? I will marry at my will, sire, Or I’ll be dead

For more BTS footage, and to read the full script, visit the BriarRose blog!