Horizons of Gold was first produced in March 2013 at Mars Hill Academy in Mason, Ohio. After several months of rewrites, the show premiered in Cincinnati with a semi-professional regional cast in September of the same year. Final edits were made for Cincinnati's 2016 production. Since then, community theater audiences have enjoyed Horizons of Gold in Chicago, Indianapolis, Michigan, and Kentucky. Directors, cast members, theater critics, and audiences have showered this heartwarming, crowd-pleasing show with enthusiastic praise!
Show Specs
RUN TIME
Full version is 135 minutes
90-minute version also available

RATING
PG
Language and presentation appropriate for all ages; some intense subject matter.
RENTAL MATERIALS
25 Librettos
2 Director Scripts
​2 Piano/Conductor Scores
1 Set of Orchestral Scores
   OR Accompaniment Tracks

Materials may be rented as electronic downloads or hard copies.
CAST
A MEDIUM-SIZED cast that is flexible with doubling.

​Lead Roles: 
     2 females & 1 male
Supporting Roles: 
     4 female & 4-7 males

​An active singing/ dancing ENSEMBLE with many cameos and featured solos
MUSICAL SPECS
Singing:
MODERATE vocal lines
MODERATE to ADVANCED choral singing

​Dancing:
EASY to MODERATE, but may employ advanced swing dancing
ORCHESTRATIONS​
Scored for 16-piece orchestra
Fully orchestrated tracks also available

Flute, Clarinet, Oboe,
3 Violins, 2 Cellos, Bass,
2 Trumpets, Trombone, Tuba, 
2 French Horns, Percussion,
Timpani, Synthesizer, Piano
SET DESIGN
The first four scenes span 1932-1940 in the Dust Bowl of Kansas and racially tense Modesto, California. The remainder is set in the summer of 1940 on the wheat farms of Goodland, Kansas, now recovering from the Depression and Dust Bowl. The flexible set can designed as intricately or simply as desired.

Scene Settings:
Barren Wheat Fields of Kansas
The Thomas Kitchen
The Thomas House Exterior
Outside a Shanty in Modesto
The General Store in Modesto
The Bollen Barn
John Bollen’s Parlor
The Bollen Farm/Wheat Fields
The Creative Team
From Left to Right: Jeff Smith (Music), Dave Thompson (Lyrics), James Kenniv (Music), and Elizabeth Kenniv (Concept, Book, & Lyrics)
ELIZABETH KENNIV (Playwright, Lyricist) is the founder of Inspiring Arts Productions, a non-profit community theater organization committed to training youth and adults in theater as well as mentoring them as writers of new works. With 25 years of experience as a music teacher, choral director, and theater director, Beth has trained and inspired students of all ages in the classroom, concert stage, and theater.

JAMES KENNIV (Composer) is the owner of Kenniv Music Studios. As a skilled piano and percussion teacher, James has written a piano curriculum full of his original piano compositions. With a degree in Music Composition and over 25 years of experience in the field, James has composed for choirs and orchestras around the Midwest. 

JEFF SMITH (Composer, Orchestrator) is prolific composer, arranger, and producer/owner of Whirlwind Production, Inc. Jeff produces all the musical entertainment at Kings Island Theme Park in Cincinnati. He has written for corporate events and creates musical scoring for films, theater, and custom events. Jeff's music can be heard at the Rose Bowl, Sea World, Disney World, and Tokyo Disney.

DAVE THOMPSON (Lyricist) is a singer/songwriter who holds a Masters of Music and writes and records in his free time. Featured in his quartet The Thompsons, Dave has performed and entertained crowds throughout the Midwest for decades.