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bestill: the musical

Book by D. Keith Best
Music and Lyrics by D. Keith Best and Brandon Goff
Art Direction by Charles Jeffcoat

bestill: the musical

Chris Pendergrass thinks he’s finally making sense of his world. His wife, Deb, is pregnant with their first child; his mother-in-law, June, seems to be finally accepting of him; a new neighbor, Dave, seems to be a good guy; and he’s found the practice of meditation thanks to the Center of Stillness and its charismatic director, Noble. Then all of a sudden, his world turns upside down.

Deb is having odd spells. June pops in to inform them that Deb’s father is not dead, but has been cryogenically preserved and is ready to be revived. Chris’s friendship with Dave starts to take an unexpected turn. As Chris is faced with one revelation after another, he finds himself facing some difficult choices, all while still trying to quiet the mind–to be still.

Note: bestill – an original musical contains adult situations and language. Not recommended for anyone under the age of 16.

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“The Day My Heart Turned Cold”

This video is from the recording session of “The Day My Heart Turned Cold” from the musical “Bestill” by D.Keith Best and Brandon Goff. Adrienne Woods is on cello, and Caroline Starling (soprano) and Brandon Goff are on piano. The camera work is by Geoffrey Starling and Carlton Wise.

Bestill Opening

The opening song from the musical Bestill by Keith Best and Brandon Goff. Performed by Brandon Goff (piano), Kristen Hardaway (soprano), Blake Graham (tenor), and special guest Adrienne Woods (cello).

“Lines”

The song “Lines” from the musical Bestill by Keith Best and Brandon Goff. Performed by Brandon Goff (piano), Kristen Hardaway (soprano), Blake Graham (tenor), and special guest Adrienne Woods (cello).

FMU profs get busy to create bestill

What's the best way for three fine arts professors to write an original musical centered on a character who’s been cryogenically frozen for 20 years? Starting with a script that's been on ice for a couple of decades itself isn’t a bad start. Read full article.

FMU professor's original musical opens at PAC Black Box Theatre next week

"Bestill" began as a book written by Best. Over the course of many years, it morphed into a musical with lyrics by Best, music by Best and fellow FMU professor Brandon Goff and art direction by FMU professor Charles Jeffcoat. Read full article.

FMU professors write a musical

"The subject matter is not typical, the lyrics aren't typical, most of this is not typical," Goff said. "I had to take familiar idioms and things that are immediately recognizable and what people can connect to and then put it into the context of something that is very, very different in terms of a musical." Read full article.

Interested in Learning More about Bestill?

If you’re interested in reviewing the Bestill script, hearing the music, or producing the musical, please fill out this contact form, and I’ll get in touch.