Savage : The Story

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Savage - the Unconquerable Wanda Savage is a dramatic musical inspired by the life of 1920s Chickasaw sharpshooter and silent film actress, Wanda Savage.  Savage is a powerful story of survival, the universal desire to be accepted and a quest for redemption. Wanda was an independent, widowed, biracial mother trying to raise her child and have a career in a time when women were just starting to have a voice, but Native women were still not heard.  She struggled to fit in in the two very different worlds she was raised in, both on the tribe and outside. In the process of making a name for her self, Wanda faced oppression, racism, sexism, white washing and abuse. While Vaudeville exploited her Native identity, Hollywood tried to erase it. She was a modern woman who encountered issues that many women still deal with today. Wanda refused to embrace the stereotype of Native American women. Her story and struggles are as relevant now as they were when she experienced them 100 years ago, holding up a mirror to our society to see how far we have come…or not. 

Wanda Savage was a tribal member of the Chickasaw Nation, as is her great granddaughter, cowriter, composer, and lyricist, Nicolette Blount. Savage presents a modern view of Native Americans against a historical backdrop and highlights a culture and people who are underrepresented. The writers hope to bring awareness to this language that only has 40 fluent speaking elders left (all over the age of 60) by including elements of their tribe’s beautiful, but endangered language in some of the script and music, while honoring its significance to the Chickasaw people.

The music for Savage is a fresh take on scoring a musical with pop influenced jazz and blues that harkens back to the days of the old standards. Savage marries the old sounds of jazz with new, catchy pop music giving it a contemporary feel with some elements of Native American sounds. 

“I have watched and read more new shows than I can count. Very few have legs, but this is going to be a hit!” Michelle Elkin, choreographer and actress

“A haunting, yet buoyant jazzy score of loss and redemption. Like the trail of tears, it’s truth still echoes today. The smart and savvy lyrics transcends time. Broadway bound!” Jo-Ann Dean, Broadway Producer and owner of Broadway Signs

“Savage brings about a new sound to musical theatre and represents a culture who are not currently represented. Savage could rival any current Broadway production!” - Kevin Lynch, music director, composer, writer

“Wanda Savage fascinates people! A strong willed woman who unapologetically broke the norms of traditional gender stereotypes. There is undeniably mass appeal for this story. This is the time for Wanda’s story to be on stage!” - Rachel Klein, director and choreographer

What musical is Savage similar too? 

As a Broadway Producer recently said, “Savage is nothing like anything I have seen to date. It is uniquely and powerfully it‘s own.” 

Savage - The Unconquerable Wanda Savage

Book: Nicolette Blount and Lindel Hart

Music and lyrics: Nicolette Blount