Nothing to hit but the heights!

The Origin
A phone call sometime in the Spring of 2007:
JM: Hello.
CB: You know, for a long time, I've been thinking how interesting it would be to create a 'blues opera.' What dya think? Where do you think would you start?
JM: Well, for sure, you'd need a good story. Then, have music written.
CB: Know any good stories?
JM: Funny, it just so happens that–just last night–in a travel book about Italy, I read about an ancient custom involving jars where familiy members would collect their tears. It's a great analogy for 'the blues.'
CB: What would we call it?
JM: Well, that's the name, right there... 'The Tear Jar.'
CB: Perfect. So, now, what?
JM: I guess I could try to write some kind of scenario, then we'd need someone to write the music—just see where it all goes.
CB: I know just the guy for the music.

The Setting
Clarksdale, Mississippi, circa 1975.
A backroad coming into town.
The Blue Rose Nightclub and Hotel:
The stage area of The Blue Rose.
Mason's room at The Blue Rose.
Front façade of The Blue Rose.
Chandra and Stubs' living room.
Preacher's room in The Blue Rose.
Alley behind The Blue Rose.

The Characters
Mason Ball: Male, African-American, 55, strong, stoic.
Savannah: Female, African-American, 45, energetic, self-reliant.
JD Hunter: Male, European-American, 24, cocky, talented.
Preacher: Male, African-American, 62, wise, intuitive.
Stubs Watson: Male, African-American, 38, flashy, life-of-the-party.
Chandra Jones: Female, African-American, 34, effervescent, quirky.
Gabriel: Male, European-American, 41, independent, contemplative.
Mason's Mother: African-American, 72, insightful, spiritual.
Drummer: Male, European-American, 27, rough-edged, pragmatic.
Jacko: Male, African-American, 22, observant, quiet.
Mary: Female, African-American, 18, confused, sweet.
Crippled Woman: African-American, 35, intense, relentless.

The Synopsis
Mason Ball, an aging, itinerant blues singer, returns to a club he's played many times before, but it's been a few years. On the road into town, he comes across Gabriel, a harp player. They exchange pleasantries but Gabriel makes it clear he's committed to leaving town whereas, Mason is looking forward to visiting this old, welcoming stop.

Upon arrival, Mason is greeted by old friends outside The Blue Rose, a past-its-prime night club. Stubs and Chandra are pleased to see him. Stubs and Chandra have been an item for years but never made it official.

Mason enters the club and is quickly discovered by the owner, Savannah. Coyly happy to see him again, she offers him the room in which he usually stays when he plays the club. She playfully insists he 'play for his supper.' In so doing, we discover that, in Mason's absence, an up-and-coming band has been the popular act at The Blue Rose in recent weeks. JD Hunter, 'Drummer,' and Jacko, the bassist, are now considered the house band. JD Hunter's attitude is less than welcoming toward Mason and, indeed, is disrespectful of older musicians. Still, Mason's song is well received by most patrons and even by JD's band mates.

Savannah visits Mason's room later that night to see how he has settled in. Mason detects an uncharacteristic sadness in Savannah's demeanor. With some probing, she discloses that her 2-year old daughter, Anna, has died during Mason's absence. Savannah breaks down. Mason, having held strong, but secret feelings for her, finds her emotional distress too much for him to bear. In his desperation to help, he anoints her –without her knowledge– with the contents of a jar he keeps stashed in his pack. Savannah appears to quickly recover and feels a sudden peace. We, and Mason, suspect that the contents of this jar are responsible.

Next day, while Savannah arranges for Mason's breakfast in the main club room, JD Hunter taunts Mason about his abilities as a musician, and about his age. Apparently, JD feels a certain amount of intimidation by a more experienced musician, although he holds a great opinion about his own abilities. Mason manages to avoid taking the bait until JD strikes a nerve. Essentially, Mason accepts JD's challenge to 'dual on stage,' with their instruments as weapons. At the height of the challenge, they're interrupted by Savannah's frantic announcement –one of the young kitchen helpers, Mary, has cut herself badly. Preacher, the club's general helper, brings Mary into the main room to attend to her hand. No matter what they try, the bleeding doesn't stop. With Savannah's beseeching, Mason reluctantly attempts to help as he, again, covertly dips a finger in the same jar he used for Savannah then, touches Mary while tending to her wound. Only Jacko notices Mason's secret action but, not grasping the implication at the time, says nothing.

Everyone is amazed by Mason's 'healing act'... some more than others. JD is suspicious, but tentative about responding. The others seem genuinely moved by his paranormal abilities.

Preacher is touched by the event and sings about what he's seen and how he feels about it. Perhaps the incident has reinstated his religious beliefs? Concurrently, Mason has returned to his room where, for the first time, begins to consider the powers of the jar's contents. This questioning moment generates the memory of his dying mother as she presented him with the jar some years before. In a dreamy memory, Momma explains that the jar contains the tears of past family members and that Mason should carry it with him always as a symbol of love and a reminder as to how he should live his life. Until now, Mason never seriously considered the power of the jar.

Days later, while working on her finances, Savannah realizes that Mason's reputation is attracting customers. She informs JD that he will take over the Friday night performance slot only and she will award Mason the more prestigious Saturday night slot. JD finds this decision unwarranted and unjust. Preacher, having overheard the exchange, warns Savannah to be wary of JD's potential actions. Savannah feels Preacher's concerns are overblown.

During a private moment, JD sings of his self-doubts and how he's come to be the way he is. We get another view of the otherwise cocky, self-assured musician.

Next day, Stubs hands out announcements in front of the club promoting Mason's appearances. Some members of the street crowd suggest that his popularity is based on rumors of his healing powers. Stubs discounts this. Members of the crowd scoff at Stubs' naivé reaction. After the crowd disperses, Chandra arrives finding Stubs explaining his concerns to Savannah about the rumors. Again, Savannah discounts them but considered his argument.

Taking advantage of the presence of the three of them, Chandra and Stubs ask Savannah if she would permit them to be married in The Blue Rose. Savannah heartily agrees.

During a rehearsal, Drummer questions JD and Jacko on the rumors surrounding Mason. JD has his doubts. Drummer thinks the rumors silly. But, Jacko suggests he knows what's behind the rumors. This discussion is interrupted by a sudden return visit by Gabriel. He has returned with the excuse of looking for a playing gig. Savannah walks in on the discussion, discovering his presence, and demands he leave and never return –that anything that has ever happened between them is over and behind them. Reluctantly, Gabriel succumbs to her wishes, and leaves. We're left with the impression that Anna was the product of a short relationship between the two of them.

Upon Gabriel's exit, Jacko completes his theory of the rumors by informing Drummer and JD what he had seen Mason doing before Mary's miraculous recovery. Still, Drummer discounts it as folkloric mumbo-jumbo. JD begins to wonder– whether he believes the rumors or not, his ego can't allow Mason such control.

With everyone temporarily out of the club, JD decides to steal the jar from Mason's room. Preacher almost catches him in the act, but only a short discussion incurs with Preacher urging JD to simply trust Savannah's business decisions. JD finds it easier to agree than to lengthen the conversation.

On the following Saturday night, the club is packed. All of the characters are present. Mason's first song is interrupted by a woman in the audience. She is on crutches and insists that Mason heal her on the spot. Mason doesn't know how to respond. Suddenly, JD Hunter enters the club and confronts Mason on stage, offering the crowd the explanation that the jar –which he holds up for the audience to see– has the power of healing and not Mason. The observers' reactions are mixed – some with disbelief, some bemused, others appalled by the obvious jealousy. In an act of frustration, JD empties the few drops left in the jar onto the floor and throws the empty bottle into the crowd—as some members of the audience clamour after it—JD leaves the room in defeated resolution.

Later that night, JD has made his way to the rooftop of the club. He sings about where he finds his life –which he construes as being questionable... possibly a dead end. We leave him as he steps on the edge of the roof, looking away from us in silhouette.

Next day, the club is abuzz with wedding preparations. By and by, Stubs and Chandra exchange vows, theatrically administered by Preacher. Mason, Drummer and Jacko play a song of celebration. Suddenly, JD enters, looking somewhat more at peace. To the surprise of everyone in attendance, JD joins the other musicians. The aura of jealousy and discontent now evidently evaporated. The entire cast join in to a wall of music and energy.

During a lull in the festivities, Mason leaves the club, prepared to continue his trip elsewhere. Mason appears contented and resolute. During a short vignette to the side, even Savannah appears more at peace and even hints at feelings for Mason as she places a single rose in the jar Mason left behind.

On the road back out of town, Mason discovers Gabriel again where he met him at the start – our setting reaching full circle. As Gabriel accompanies Mason's song, Mason continues down the road and out of town. The tone suggests hopeful inevitability.