Saluting the Sun tells the story of Nevaeh, a free-spirited, idealistic, young woman on a journey of self discovery. When her perfect life in her Iowa tree house is interrupted, she travels to the streets of New Orleans looking to start over. There, she is thrown into a world of unfamiliar fantasy, colorful characters, and the enchantment of the glass harmonica. Disillusioned with her life, she seeks out her cousin Dawn in Chicago, where even greater danger from more familiar faces awaits. Ultimately, Nevaeh finds where, and with whom, she belongs. In the end, both women learn that you can’t start over, but you can start again. With fresh and contemporary music, Saluting the Sun reminds us that

“Each day is a treasure,

A piece of the whole,

Of your life, of your heart,

Of your soul.”

ACT ONE

As the lights go up, we see the silhouette of Philippe the Phabulous playing the glass harmonica. The (OPENING/SUN REFRAIN) melody floats on the air and after a bit segues into (ANOTHER DAY), sung by 2 couples, Nevaeh and Tray, and Dawn and Derek. The lights cross fade to Nevaeh, a free-spirited young writer, doing her morning yoga in a treehouse in Iowa where she lives with her boyfriend Tray (HOME). After Tray receives his acceptance into Northwestern Law School, he tries unsuccessfully to persuade Nevaeh to join him in Chicago (MOMENT), but when he leaves, Nevaeh follows her heart to New Orleans. (THE NOISE). Once there she befriends Philippe, the glass harmonica player, (GLASS HARMONICA DEMO) and he convinces her to move into his group home for musicians (SAVED). It is Thanksgiving (THE FEAST). Tray returns to the treehouse at Thanksgiving, only to find that Nevaeh is no longer there (MOMENT REPRISE).

Meanwhile, we have been cutting back and forth to Dawn, Nevaeh’s cousin, a successful meteorologist, and her husband Derek, an aspiring photographer who live in a condo in Chicago. We get glimpses into their marriage, her insecurities and his anxieties (I’M ONLY ME).

When things turn sour for Nevaeh in New Orleans, she phones her only relative, Dawn, and asks for help (STARTING AGAIN).

ACT TWO

The action shifts to Chicago. (ANOTHER DAY IN THE CITY/NOTICE THE BEAUTY). Nevaeh moves into Dawn and Derek’s, sleeping on the couch, because the guest room has been converted to a studio for Derek’s photography. Although charming, Derek has a darker side. Unhappy with his lack of success in contrast to his wife’s blossoming career, he turns to alcohol, and we learn of the difficulties in their marriage. After an awards ceremony honoring his wife, and she’s gone to bed, Derek suggests Nevaeh should be a model (NOTICE THE BEAUTY REPRISE). His inappropriate advances awaken his wife. He storms out. Dawn blames Nevaeh (WHO IS THIS MAN?). The following morning as Nevaeh is moving out Derek returns, taunts Nevaeh and he gets physical before Nevaeh manages to escape.

Dawn is in denial of her husband’s problems but her best friend Linda is fully aware and begs her to report her husband. Dawn rejects the idea, saying she can handle her own husband. Linda counsels Nevaeh to report Derek for Dawn’s sake as well as her own, and accompanies her to Woman’s Legal Aid, where Tray is serving a summer internship (HELLO). The chance reunion with Tray coupled with the upsetting experience with Derek forces Nevaeh to return to the treehouse “where she can think.” (SALUTING THE SUN).

Meanwhile, Dawn comes home from work to find Derek, drunk and wanting attention. He forcibly tries to make advances and she rebuffs him. In his anger he slaps her. He stumbles off to bed, as Dawn realizes the truth and escapes to Linda’s.

Tray is still in love with Nevaeh and drives to Iowa hoping she’s returned there. Nevaeh has decided to report Derek, and Tray drives them back to Chicago.

In the final scene, Tray is helping Nevaeh move into his apartment, (HOME REPRISE) when Dawn arrives looking for Nevaeh. Dawn apologizes for doubting Nevaeh, and tells her she has reported Derek. “I love my husband, but he needs help.” Nevaeh and Dawn sing (STARTING AGAIN REPRISE.)