Floyd Collins Lyrics – All Songs from the Musical

The premiere was in 1994 in Philadelphia, in early 1996. The off-Broadway productions were in New York City. It was closed after just 25 hits. Actors were: M. Mulheren, C. Innvar, M. Bennett, M. Moran, B. d'Arcy James, J. Danieley, C. Morgan & T. McCarthy. Lucille Lortel Award and the Obie Award – that's all that was given to this histrionics in 1996. In 2003, it was its resurrection within Playwrights Horizons, which had almost the same composition of actors. In 1999, a mini-tour was done on the United States, consisting of only three cities, San Diego, Chicago, and Philadelphia (in the same theater, where it had its premiere). Then there was another presentation in St. Louis in 1999. In spite of the extremely small number of plays in the US, the show came to London in 1999, and there, such actors played: N. Richards, A. Francolini, C. Parnell. Clive Paget directed. In the same city, 13 years later, the show was renewed, with a set of actors: R. North, R. Sampson, D. Bond, G. Chart, G. Carter. It was nominated for the infamous Ned Sherrin Award, but did not receive it. In 2012, it was renewed in Chicago BoHo Theatre, where it was hosted for two months, with such actors: S. Bockel, J. DeSelm & J. Harrison. In the state of North Carolina, the show was in 2011, and in 2015, it was opened in Astoria, NY. Recordings of some of the songs were included in the collections of the singers named Audra McDonald & Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Production history and synopsis.

Floyd Collins blends American myth with bluegrass ache. It hits the ribs. The story is true, and it hurts. Book by Tina Landau. Music and lyrics by Adam Guettel. Additional lyrics by Landau. The piece studies ambition, faith, and fame’s cold hands. Concord licenses list 2 women, 11 men. That leanness shapes the sound.

Context that sharpens your text.

The 1925 cave disaster birthed a media circus. Reporters swarmed Kentucky farmland. Radio magnified the frenzy. The show turns that noise into a chorus. Its score braids folk, hymn, and keening art song. Orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin build a cavern of overtones.

Synopsis highlights.

Floyd hunts a cave that could change his life. A rock pins him. Family rallies, then frays. A young reporter listens, then spins. Townsfolk arrive with popcorn and prayers. Hope rises, collapses, rises again. The ending is quiet, devastating.

Musical signatures and key numbers.

Standouts define the show’s pulse. “The Call” cracks open wonder. “Daybreak” glows with brotherly grit. “Lucky” waltzes grief beside hope. “Is That Remarkable?” skewers sensational headlines. “The Riddle Song” hums like memory’s lantern. “Through the Mountain” gives Nellie iron and light. “How Glory Goes” closes with hushed awe. The 2025 revival tweaked song order. It combined and moved several cues.

Notable recordings.

The original cast album arrived in 1997 on Nonesuch. Its finale, “How Glory Goes,” traveled far. Audra McDonald recorded it, carving a modern standard. Brian Stokes Mitchell recorded it in 2006, burnished and warm.

Production timeline, expanded.

You note the 1994 Philadelphia premiere and 1996 run. Adding texture matters. The Off-Broadway engagement played 25 performances, Feb 9 to Mar 24, 1996.

Year.	City.	Venue.	Notes.	Cast highlights.
1994.	Philadelphia.	American Music Theater Festival.	World premiere.	Early version, retitled from “Deathwatch Carnival.”
1996.	New York City.	Playwrights Horizons.	25 performances, landmark score.	Christopher Innvar, Jason Danieley, Theresa McCarthy.
1999.	San Diego, Philadelphia, Chicago.	Old Globe, AMTF, Goodman.	Three-city mini-tour.	Original team, Landau directing.
1999.	London.	Bridewell Theatre.	UK premiere.	Nigel Richards, Anna Francolini, Craig Parnell.
2003.	New York City.	Playwrights Horizons.	Reunion concert, four performances.	Romain Frugé, Terrence Mann, many originals.
2012.	London.	Southwark Playhouse.	Critically acclaimed revival.	Glenn Carter, Robyn North, Ryan Sampson.
2012.	Chicago.	BoHo Theatre.	Two-month run.	Jim DeSelm, Sarah Bockel, Jon Harrison.
2015.	Astoria, NY.	Ophelia Theatre Group.	Intimate staging.	Off-Off Broadway engagement.
2016.	London.	Wilton’s Music Hall.	Five-star reviews.	Ashley Robinson, Rebecca Trehearn.
2025.	Broadway.	Vivian Beaumont Theater.	72 performances, limited run.	Jeremy Jordan, Lizzy McAlpine, Jason Gotay.

Awards and nominations, clarified.

1996 brought Lucille Lortel Outstanding Musical. It also brought an Obie for Music. Drama Desk noticed the craft, multiple nominations followed. Outer Critics Circle nominated the show Off-Broadway.

In 2012 London, it was long-listed for the Ned Sherrin Award. It later won an Offies honor for Best Musical Production.

Broadway in 2025 drew six Tony nominations. Categories included Revival and Actor for Jeremy Jordan. Taylor Trensch earned Featured Actor. The show did not win. Sunset Blvd. took Revival.

The 2025 Broadway chapter.

Lincoln Center Theater finally brought it uptown. Previews began March 28, 2025. Opening landed April 21. The run closed June 22 as planned. The cast album followed.

The company sang with mountain clarity. Jeremy Jordan led with fearless attack. Lizzy McAlpine floated “Through the Mountain.” Jason Gotay gave Homer bruised tenderness. The two-and-a-half-hour sweep felt intimate, even in Beaumont’s sprawl.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording shifted dates. Digital release landed August 8, 2025. The CD arrived September 5. Produced by Guettel and Ted Sperling.

Casting specs and licensing notes.

Standard licensed breakdown lists 2 women, 11 men. Or expand with ensemble doubles as needed. Running time recent listings note 2 hours 35 minutes with intermission.

Themes that still sting.

The show interrogates spectacle. It asks what a headline costs. It studies family loyalty under floodlights. Guettel’s harmonies ache like old hymns. Then the silence hits harder.

Notable songs for search visibility.

• The Call.
• Daybreak.
• Lucky.
• Is That Remarkable?
• The Riddle Song.
• Through the Mountain.
• How Glory Goes.

These anchor SEO for the musical. They also guide listeners into the score.

Why it endures.

Because the music never blinks. Because ambition and faith collide. Because the crowd’s buzz feels chillingly familiar today.

Questions and Answers.

Who created Floyd Collins?

Tina Landau wrote the book. Adam Guettel wrote music and lyrics.

What defines its musical style?

Folk roots, bluegrass colors, and art-song craft. Orchestrations expand the intimacy.

Did the 1996 run win awards?

Yes. Lortel Outstanding Musical and an Obie for Music. Drama Desk nominations too.

Was there a Broadway production?

Yes. Spring 2025 at the Vivian Beaumont. It earned six Tony nominations.

Is there a new cast recording?

Yes. Digital on August 8, 2025. CD on September 5, 2025.