The beginning of a project ultimately to be a Book musical, but for now a group of songs telling the magnificent story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge – an icon of American architecture.
At its heart, it's a story about a family. First, a father - John Roebling, a genius German engineer who emigrates to America. Second, his son Washington Roebling (named patriotically after the President) who graduates from West Point but soon abandons whatever dreams he has had, in order to complete the construction of the bridge after John tragically dies. And most movingly, Washington's wife Emily Roebling who learns engineering and tirelessly shuttles back and forth for years carrying instructions from her husband to the Chief Engineer after a devastating accident has confined Washington permanently to a wheelchair.
Listen below to the moment when young Washington makes the wrenching life decision to abandon his plans for a military career in order to complete instead his father's legacy and dream of building the Bridge to completion (For My Father). Fittingly, the plaque on the Bridge today bears the names of all three Roeblings.