a new musical
Carnelian is an eclectic musical work written by Lex Brown and co-composed by Samuel Beebe.
In the course of a single day, Necyria, Bicyclus, and Orachrysops await the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic event – the “Boom.” Throughout 8 songs, each character contends with their own definition of power, whether it be natural, political, or technological. Carnelian asks how we reckon with the "Boom" already being here, and how our humanity endures, in spite of itself, through these existential threats?
THE FILM
Written, directed and edited by Brown, the film was originally presented as a continuous, immersive 3-channel installation alongside a suite of large-scale paintings at MIT's List Visual Arts Center from April 3 - July 16, 2023. Carnelian was selected as a New York Times Critic's Pick.
The film stars Ciani Barclay as Necyria, Najee Duwon as Orachrysops, Mya Drew Flood as Bicyclus, and Venkatesh Sundarapalli as The Auctioneer.
THE PLAY
With an expanded role for the Auctioneer and live arrangements for piano, electric guitar, and double bass, the live adaptation brings the world of Carnelian to life in a 7-person production. With creative direction by Brown and music direction by Beebe, Carnelian was workshopped at the Celebration Barn in August 2023 and debuted at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival to a sold out audience several weeks later in September.
Starring Kayla Byrd as Necyria, Najee Duwon as Orachrysops, Mya Drew Flood as Bicyclus, and Lex Brown as The Auctioneer, with Samuel Beebe on guitar and piano, Keenan Zach on bass and John Ling on drums.