Music That Shaped A Nation: San Diego Rep's "A Hammer, A Bell, And A Song To Sing"

Inspired by folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, A Hammer, A Bell and a Song to Sing celebrates the history of change in America through song, story and spoken word. Todd Salovey, co-writer, director and associate artistic director of the San Diego Rep, ensures the play covers music that is both timeless and as immediate as today's headlines. Prepare to transport from the American Revolution up through the Occupy movement of 2011. The Rage Monthly caught up with writer and director, Todd Salovey, amidst the rehearsal process to learn a little more about this inspiring new musical.

How did you initially approach writing this play?

The starting place for the piece, for me, was to examine Pete's belief that music can create change. It can melt resistances and defensiveness and inspire positive change. There is a common thought now, that we can't change anything. We are stuck in our circumstances. We're stuck in a tough job situation, a difficult relationship, stuck with the politics. It feels as though people have lost that American idealism, that sense of passion that their voice can make a change.

I also looked at how music can bring us together and the important role music has played in bringing new ideas to the table. We can all sing. You sing soprano, I'll sing tenor. We have different voices, but it blends into something bigger, something better. There is a bonding, a feeling of oneness that comes from singing.

Has Pete been involved in the process or seen part of the show?

Because of Pete's age, the family requested I work with his daughter and his grandson Tao on the play.

Tao is incredible. He told me when he was march- ing at Occupy Wall Street, a police officer came up to him and he was fully expecting to get arrested. He's there with his guitar singing. The policeman says, "Did you put this together?"Tao extended his hands, ready to be cuffed and the policeman takes his hand, shakes it and says, "This is really beautiful, thank you so much for doing this."

Wow! That was so unexpected. I'm always impressed with the San Diego Rep's edgy, provocative and timely work. How did your team come to develop such a unique theatre experience?

One, it took us a long time to figure out who we are, but we have defined ourselves as an intimate, exotic theater that feeds the curious soul. Our mission truly guides us as we choose our shows.

Secondly, at our core, we are very curious people. We are attracted to things that are different. Things that are not so immediately familiar and yet intimately personal to us.

And we see ourselves as a regional theater - we are here for our community. We are always asking, 'Is this meaningful for people in San Diego?'We want to have a dialogue with our audience and we really trust creativity. Let's make something that has not been done before. Every play is collaborative with the cast, the audiences. It becomes personal and cannot be duplicated in another space.

I'm inspired talking with you.

Thank you! Pete dedicated his life to that idea-using art to make a difference, person to person. Simple acts change the world. Right now, events in the world and this country, on Wall Street and at Civic Center Plaza, are supporting our desire to express the messages of Pete's material-wanting the best for the community and for the country.

A Hammer, A Bell, and A Song to Sing
Runs Tuesday, January 10 through Sunday, January 29 at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. For tickets and more information call 619.544.1000 or go to sdrep.org.