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Music and Lyrics Len Ballantine | Book John Copeland Originally Conceived by Neil W. Leduke Originally Developed by The Salvation Army USA East Arts Ministries Bureau Starring Kathryn Higgins & Kyle Higgins Directed by Brad Cain |
A Salvation Army Officer tortured by the demons of his past finds assurance that God’s plan reaches even the deepest caverns of darkest England.
Now accepting bookings 2020-2022!
This lively, two-person muscial was first produced in 2019 Off-Broadway through the Salvation Army’s Theater 315. Intended for intimate audiences, running 1hr.15mins with no intermission, this production was designed with the average corps/divisional location in mind. Appropriate for ages 12+, Skeleton Army is perfect for advisory boards, corps cadets, those who are new to the Army and Salvationists alike. This musical can work as a stand-alone piece, or as an addition to an evening program or dinner theater. Free of charge for bookings within the USA Eastern Territory!
Contact [email protected] to book Skeleton Army for corps or divisional engagements.
On the poverty-stricken East London streets of Victorian England two armies line up for battle. The Skeletons fight for the comforts of the present. The Salvationists fight for the hope of tomorrow. Caught in the middle, Charles Jeffries, a charismatic young leader of the Skeleton Army must decide what side he really is on. Themes: Redemption, Christmas, New Years, Salvation Army History, substance abuse, caring for family members, dry bones, evangelism, women in leadership… |
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Testimonials
A must see!
-Capt. Jon Jackson
Tonight I witnessed something quite remarkable…Stellar husband and wife team Kathryn Higgins and Kyle Higgins gripped the audience from beginning to end with flawless performances – poignant, witty, subtle and evocative. You have a heart of stone not be moved at their interplay.
-Col. Richard Munn
You won’t want to miss!
-Capt. Jason Knaggs
This production pulls you in from the very first scene, and the chemistry between the cast is palatable. They transport you back to a simpler time and bring to life the story of a great man and his wife in a very poignant and powerful way.
-Rick Hayes, HighPowerProduction
People really resonated with the whole message. I cannot tell you how many people were just enthralled and challenged by the ministry of the piece.
-Larry Ashcraft, Lt. Colonel
Bios
| Len Ballantine | Music and Lyrics Lenis a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music where he studied composition, piano and choral direction. His career has enabled him to travel widely as a musician and officer of The Salvation Army, during which time he gained an international reputation as a choral and brass specialist as well as a gifted communicator. Len’s works have been performed and recorded by some of the world’s finest ensembles, including the King’s Singers (UK), the Elmer Iseler Singers (Canada), the Yorkshire Building Society (UK-brass band), and The Salvation Army’s International Staff Band and Songsters. Len has worked professionally in music theatre and enjoys a diverse affection for music of all genres. |
John Copeland | Book John has been involved with the Territorial Arts Ministries Bureau of The Salvation Army as an occasional actor, sketch writer, and director since 2000. John is currently Camp Director for The Salvation Army’s Camp Tecumseh in New Jersey. He is a decent husband, annoyingly likeable father, and reluctant cat owner. John is grateful to be involved in this project and hopes that all who see Skeleton Army are encouraged by the redeeming power of God’s grace. |
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Kathryn Higgins | Martha/Scarlet/Captain Some of Kathryn’s notable credits include Anne of Green Gables(Charlottetown Festival), The Boys In The Photograph(Mirvish) and Camp Rock (Disney). Outside her love of musical theatre performance, Kathryn is a choreographer, aerialist and improv artist. She founded the Salvation Army’s first Dance Company, Army On Its Toes (now called MOVE), and currently oversees the development of the arts within the Salvation Army’s USA Eastern Territory as the Arts Ministries Director. Married to co-star Kyle since 2010, Kathryn’s true love is performing on stage alongside her always. |
Kyle Higgins | Charles Jeffries Kyle Higgins was born in Canada and attended Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance program. Some of his most notable credits include: Jesus (Pilate,TAM)Aladdin (Aladdin, Riza Productions), The Highwayman (The Highwayman, Artsake Theatre), Prince Charming (Cinderella, Riza Productions) Caldwell B Cladwell( Urinetown! TheatreSheridan) The Cantor (Hey Marilyn, Capricorn 9). Kyle performs regularly with the TAM Team and Re-Play, A Playback Theater Company. |
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| Brad Cain | Director Brad Cain currently serves as the Divisional Creative Arts Director for the Salvation Army’s Eastern PA and Delaware divisional. Directing credits: Joseph…, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Steel Magnolias, Godspell, Honk!, …Charlie Brown, Nunsense, The Pillowman. Acting credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Shadowlands, Big River, Comedy of Errors, Ragtime, Fifth of July, Sweeney Todd, Twelfth Night, and Guys and Dolls. Training: University of Akron (B.A. Theatre Arts/Directing), Regent University (MFA Acting/Directing) Thanks to family, friends and God. Special thanks to the entire Skeleton Army team for letting me be a part of this experience! Psalm 139: 7-14. |
Neil W Leduke | Original Concept Neil is a graduate of Tyndale University in Toronto, Ontario and a graduate of the Professional Communications Management program from Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia. Neil is a public relations veteran, starting his career in 1998 in media relations, marketing, communications and eventually events management for The Salvation Army. With over 20 years of experience in marketing, Neil has a flare of creative imagination and artistic energy. In 2009 his passions for musicals and Salvation Army history birthed the grand concept for ‘Skeleton Army’. Besides loving musicals and creative arts, in his spare time, Neil can be found surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation, winter/summer camping, canoeing and fishing. He is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth and is the proud father of two children, Sarah and Micah. |
Directors Note | Brad Cain
If you had to tell your story, your testimony, using only the contents of one box, what would be in that box?
As the son of Salvation Army officers, moving was a major part of my growing up. Every couple of years, my parents, my brother, and I would pack up all of our belongings and get ready for the next big adventure. As I got older, the number of boxes for my stuff expanded. My mother would always encourage me to throw away the things I didn’t need – to downsize. And I would. A bit. But there was always more than she thought necessary. That’s because certain items, certain mementos that I had that meant nothing to her. But they meant everything to me.
When we embarked on this project, I had never heard of Charles Jeffries. He’s not a well-known figure, even within The Salvation Army. I had a basic working knowledge of what the Skeleton Army was, but I hadn’t heard about them since I was in Honor Junior Soldier classes. The more I learned of Charles Jeffries, his adversarial beginnings, his transformation, and his work for God around the world, the more strongly I felt that this was a story that needed to be told. With epic songs played by a 30-piece orchestra, all culminating with a Les Miserables style number and at the front, our Salvation Army Jean Valjean stand in, Charles Jeffries, leading the way…
Two actors. Minimal set. Only piano.
The question then became how to tell this story in such a more intimate way without losing the scale and size that the story needs. The answer came quickly. By bringing you, the audience, right into the action. At different moments throughout the show, you may find yourself as a patron of the local pub, as a passerby on the streets of London witnessing an open air, as a member of the Skeleton Army, or as a congregant at the watch night service.
John Copeland and Major Len Ballantine have crafted a beautifully compelling narrative that accomplishes something rather unique – they were able to make the epic intimate and the intimate epic. Contained within his one small box, Charles Jeffries has preserved the entire story of his life. Items that represent moments – good moments, bad moments – that made him the man he was. The brushstrokes that made up the painting of his life. These things may have meant nothing to anyone else. But they meant everything to him.
I have been so blessed to collaborate with John, Major Len, Neil, Carol, and especially Kathryn and Kyle on this story and I am grateful to them all for trusting me on this journey.
Thank you so much for joining with us and being an integral part of our storytelling. I hope that as you journey along with Charles Jeffries, you take the time to think of you own life, your own moments, and how they have led you to where you are, and where God has called you to be.
