American Gothic
David Ackles

3.6 - Neil Diamond sings in a one-man musical about an American tramp finding his way in modern America. Our protagonist often daydreams about a life in olden times, and there are scenes of him working as a deckhand on a ship ("Ballad of the Ship of State"), and living as a pioneer in the untamed West ("Montana Song"). In his searching, he falls in love with a promiscuous girl ("Love's Enough", "One Night Stand") who ultimately leaves him one fateful night for a carnie at an amusement park ("Midnight Carousel"). In a fog, he stumbles through the park grounds but hears a choir singing a spiritual and is drawn to the glorious sound ("Family Band"). He's saved by the power of Jesus Christ, and gets the strength to continue on his bittersweet journey ("Moving Van"). Ultimately, he ends up in California ("Oh, California") and reunites with the unfaithful woman. They get married and it's miserable for both of them ("American Gothic"). We hear "Blues for Billy Whitecloud" as the credits roll.

3