Ruling Passion – A Review

“Ruling Passion” A Musical Comedy about Richard III

 Book & Lyrics by Deborah Osment Ryan

Music by Dennis Chandler

Review by Carol Bush (Lauded Journalist Teacher)

6/04/01

 Liz-

“First, let me say that I hold the highest respect for Dennis and Deborah. In fact, I am in awe of both of them for having combined their talents to bring forth this magnificent work.

Only today, I read a feature on the new film, “Moulin Rouge”, described as “surreal” because, in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, it brings contemporary music into a period piece. That retro-cum-current slant is apparent in “Ruling Passion”, especially in the familiarity of the language of the 21st Century. The anachronistic humor of this device drew frequent smiles from this reader.

The Big Surprise was that Richard III is depicted as a Good Guy. What a switch!

Fondly,
Carol

“Just We Two” Book & Lyrics by Larry Brenner

Music by Dennis Chandler

Notes by Carol Bush

6/04/01

A spoiler alert. For your eyes only. Notes are restricted (don’t give away too much)

Liz-

What an engaging premise for a family piece! …”then all component parts are tied together with a big bow!”

On both counts, of course, the music is superb. Bravo, Dennis!

Many thanks for letting me share these works. I feel honored!

Fondly,
Carol

06/04/01

Liz-

Has either of these scripts (“RP” and “Just We Two”) been
submitted to the Playhouse? To Beck Center? (known for
experimentation)? Earlier when we spoke, you said it had never been gone to GLTF. Maybe the time is ripe to try.

Fondly,
Carol

10/06/06

Obituary for Carol Bush – by Donna J. Miller

Excerpted
from the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Lauded Bay High School journalism teacher Carol Bush died Sept. 27 from complications of a rare blood cancer. She was 80.

Bush taught for 22 years at the high school near the Lake Erie
shore she loved. She steered the weekly student newspaper, The Bay Window, and launched more than a few careers among graduates who have spread across the country. There was Chris Willman, formerly of the Los Angeles Times and now a music critic at Entertainment Weekly. And Chris Sinzinger an editor at the Washington Post. Other students landed at the Chicago Tribune, the Cleveland Plain Dealer
and Mother Jones magazine.

While at Bay High she steered the weekly student newspaper which won a record-breaking 18 awards in one year (’75-’76) including first place from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and numerous other awards. After retiring
from Bay High in 1990, Bush taught English at Lorain
Community College and was a journalist workshop presenter at Kent State University and Bowling Green University. She had been a director of annual statewide high school journalism competitions.

Carol Bush was also a president of the Women’s Committee of the Great Lakes Theatre Festival.