Plays and Musicals
THE
THIRD WAVE MUSICAL
With book and lyrics by Ron Jones The Third Wave Musical was produced by the Marsh Youth Theater and San Francisco’s Mercy High School. Thanks to music by David Denny, Kathy Peck, and Emily Klion along with a cast of talented young adults this musical is the heart and soul of the Wave story. The Third Wave Musical had it’s world premiere February, 2010 to full houses and critical acclaim. This musical is available for high school and community theater through Dramatic Publishing.
Reviews:
In 'The Wave' ex-teacher Ron Jones looks back (SF Chronicle 1/30/10)
The Wave, A Musical, Has Hit the Shores (SF Bay Times 2/11/10)
"Third Wave Musical"
View The "Third Wave Musical" Trailer
SYNOPSIS OF THE THIRD WAVE MUSICAL
The Third Wave Musical tells the true story about a classroom experiment in Fascism that got out of control! This story takes place in January 1967 at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California. It is a time of anti-war protests, racial integration, and a cultural revolution. To answer a student’s question about ‘how the holocaust could happen’ a young teacher, Mr. Jones, decides to give his world history class an exercise in discipline. He wanted to give his students the experience of being in a totalitarian society. To his surprise the students like the order and power that comes with discipline. No one could predict the explosive events that would follow.
During a five day period students gave up their freedom for the prospect of being superior to their classmates. Student curiosity and questioning was replaced with conformity and violence. Membership cards, salutes, bodyguards and informants fueled the excitement that became known as The Third Wave. Everyone wanted to join. Be apart of the action. Students from Cubberley and neighboring high schools crowded into the classroom and welcomed the witch hunt, rallies and the feeling of being special.
Like his followers, Mr. Jones was crossing some invisible line. No longer a teacher conducting a simulation but becoming a leader of a national movement. Enjoying the power and control. The adulation. He whispers to himself that he was doing this for his students. In his darkest moment he knew he had to end this madness. But how?
The Third Wave Musical explains what can happen when we stop believing in ourselves. When we fall victim to fear and intimidation. How difficult it is to stand up to injustice and group will. The price we pay when we lose the democratic process and respect of others to a world of bullies and simple answers.
The story of The Third Wave has been told many times in fictional books, TV, feature film and most recently as a documentary. The Wave Musical is the most accurate accounting of this story. Music provides a unique expression of the feelings and emotions that are the undercurrent of this cautionary tale. The potential for evil and good within all of us. I know. I am the author of this musical and I was the teacher responsible for The Third Wave.
Ron JonesTHE THIRD WAVE
(A two-act play)
By Ron Jones and Joe RobinetteIn 2011 Ron began a wonderful collaboration with renowned author Joe Robinette to create a two-act play for high school and community theater. Ron provided the framework for this play. Joe gave this cautionary story a sense of mystery. How else can you explain an older Mr. Jones returning to witness his activities as the teacher conducting a classroom experiment in Fascism? The Third Wave is available through Dramatic Publishing.
OTHER UNPUBLISHED) PLAYS
By Ron JonesWorking at the Recreation Center for the Handicapped Ron wrote and help direct several plays about the life of the physically and mentally disabled for Theater Unlimited, New Conservatory Theater and The Marsh.
- Say Ray (a true story that preceded Rainman)
- Willard Joins the Army (about the mentally disabled serving in WWII)
- Big Daddy, Mother Earth and the Devil (play about creation)
- The Boy Who Thought He Was Elvis (a story about aliens and a boy that thinks he's Elvis)
- No School on the 6th Floor (kids diagnosed as crazy are asked to attend a hospital school with kids called 'trouble')
- The Sandra Jensen Story (the first Down Syndrome woman to fight for and receive a heart transplant)
- Buddha Blues ( a monologue about the Buddha in all of us)
- It Came from Outer Space (a musical about flying saucers and wheelchairs)
