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. (Maybe later a Cantata and ultimately a Book Musical).