A musical about creation of first interactive PC at Xerox PARC.
Music & Lyrics by Terry Crystal*
Book by Terry Crystal & Don DiVecchio
special thanks to Chris Jeffers for use of ‘Happy Hacker’, an early tune written for PC.

Alto computer created at Xerox PARC, 1972

For draft scene outline, click – XP SCENE OUTLINE ACT I

Songs (act I):
Note: The following includes context & a few rough demos (some rougher than others).

1. (scene 1a) Architecture of Information (duet):
CEO of Xerox corp, Peter, and VP of Research, Jack, talk about new research lab.

2. (Scene 1b) Creating the Space (duet with ensemble):
Jack recruits George to run new lab (Xerox PARC), and they discuss what it will look like. When curtain rises, their duet segues into production number with ensemble singing backup at PARC.

3. (Scene 2) Intergalactic Computer Network (solo with backup):
Cowboy song in the style of Hank Williams. Bob Taylor tells secretaries about personal computer they are creating at PARC that will someday replace typewriters. Note: Please refer to new charts, written in higher key (in contrast to older demo).

4. (scene 3a) Happy Hacker (with permission of Chris Jeffers):
An early tune for ALTO computer composed by Chris Jeffers, member of PARC Learning Research Group. Play musical Interlude in beginning of scene while scientists bring in bean bag chairs. 
soundcloud.com/audimprove/happy-hacker

5. (Scene 3a) Shape of Learning (solo with group):
Alan and other scientists of Learning Research Group regale Adele with song about Dynabook and LRG work culture.

6. (scene 3b) Mothers of Invention (duet):
Adele & Diane talk about ‘the women who came before’.

7. (scene 4) Engelbart (duet):
Butler and Chuck agree to create “Interim Dynabook” (the ALTO), and sing about Douglas Engelbart who’s “Mother of all Demos” was a major inspiration.

8. (scene 5) It’s Gonna Happen (solo, duet, ensemble):
Alan & members of LRG (Learning Research Group) react with joy when they hear that their project might get built. Note: Demo is song fragment which does not include ensemble, but same melody.

Songs (act II):

9. (Scene 7) Moore’s Law (stay tuned) – Bob, Butler, and Chuck talk about the company’s unwillingness to make significant investment in the Alto because of the high cost. They look forward to the day when, according to ‘Moore’s Law’, the price of computers will come down exponentially along with semiconductors.

10. (Scene 8): Unbelievable – Adele can’t believe Xerox is giving Steve Jobs a demo of the Alto. Steve is thrilled by what he sees, especially the Graphical User Interface and mouse.

11. (Scene 9) Moving On – At Larry’s going away party, Bob, Alan, and ensemble sing final song of appreciation – of each other and the scientists who came before.

*Xerox PARC is the third musical by Terry Crystal and Don DiVecchio (Caitlin County and The Side Effect Pill).
For books that proved inspirational to this project, see Resources.