The Show
Set against the backdrop of World War II France, Philippe's Escape is an original stage musical about courage, friendship, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Now available for production
Bring Philippe's Escape to your high school, college, community theater, or professional stage.
A glimpse of the musical
“1939 – Shocked, shaken
So many men were mobilized
They left old folks, women, children
Who felt betrayed and terrified”
Philippe ("We Shall Not Fall")
A note from the author
History is what connects us all.
Whether we know each other personally or not, we are all connected through history, and that is what “Philippe’s Escape” is about: an emotional, fictional drama, new but old-fashioned theater, a compilation of family anecdotes that were narrated with a shaky voice at times, punctuated by a pause, a tearful eye… Anecdotes that should outlive the victims of wartime in France.
The Story
Royan, France. 1939. As the shadow of World War II falls across Europe, two young friends, Philippe and Michael, dream of a future filled with promise. But with war approaching, their lives are about to take very different paths.
Penniless and uncertain of what lies ahead, Philippe makes an impulsive decision to leave France for America, hoping for a better life. Instead, he finds himself in an unfamiliar world, caught between the kindness of Mrs. Ashberry and the hostility of her husband.
Far from home, haunted by the memories of the friend he left behind, Philippe clings to two treasured possessions: his harmonica and a photograph of Michael. As war ravages his homeland, he must find the courage to face an uncertain future, holding on to the hope that one day he might return.
A moving story of friendship, separation, resilience, and the enduring power of hope.
The Heart of the Musical
Freedom! ... to live, to dream...
and even more importantly,
to fulfill those dreams!
Professional Recognition
“A heartfelt, well researched musical drama…”
“Philippe is a sympathetic protagonist with a clear objective…”
“The songs are well placed…”
— WeScreenplay, Professional Story Analyst
Submission received a boost with strong underlying scorecard data
at the Titans Awards (2021) and WeScreenplay (2021).
The concept was placed in the 85th percentile.