When I heard about the origins of Sir Kenneth Hawkins' new Broadway-bound musical, Picasso in Paris, I was very intrigued by the story.

Picasso in Paris explores the untold story of Pablo Picasso’s struggle for artistic and personal survival in Nazi-occupied Paris, using his recently discovered masterpiece, The Lost Dove, as its catalyst.

Picasso in Paris recently performed a concert version of the show at NYC's 54 Below, and will now continue its development to Broadway. 

In this interview, Sir Kenneth answered my call to share:

• Why he wanted to create a musical around Picasso's The Lost Dove
• How the 54 Below concert will help shape the future of Picasso in Paris
• How writing Picasso in Paris has given Sir Kenneth courage
• Why Picasso in Paris relates to the current times we are living in
• So much more

1. On Monday, April 14 you presented the debut concert of your Broadway-bound musical, Picasso in Paris. Why did you want to present this show as a concert first, over a more theatrical presentation? The most accurate answer is ‘funding,’ which many in your audience will understand. As for this particular concert, we were thrilled to be able to present at 54 Below because of its history, and the charm of the venue.

This presentation was actually the third event we have had in NYC, this following two Table-Reads to hone the storyline of our Book. Those other events were not publicized because I have been very guarded about revealing the story of this artwork to the world Press. In fact, I have kept it hidden for the 14 years. It was only this very week, and for this event, I have begun to share this amazing story with the art world.

As for those first two readings, we were blessed to begin with a very talented Director, Christa Scott Reed, who grasps so many of the nuances of our story.  And we have been doubly blessed to work with some fantastic talent along the way which has brought the story to life.

2. What did you learn from Monday's performance that will now inform the way the show takes shape moving forward? Because these shows go through development stages, we encourage input from the actors themselves, and even the musical ensemble. In our case, we have purposely fostered a collaborative spirit at every stage. Sometimes, even a young talented musician, with little experience, will see or feel a concept that fits ideally into what we are trying to accomplish. One never knows from whence genius will arise.

I think the easiest ‘lesson’ we learned is to optimize our relationship with Katerina McCrimmon, and not just because of her talent and voice. In fact, my favorite part of our association with her has been her wit and humor. I described her to my friends this way: It is like watching the three stooges, but in the person of a young Barbra Streisand. That girl is funny!

There were several other actors that fit our projected roles, and so we intend to keep our eyes on their careers as well.

On a more serious note, I was also impressed with the incredible talent of our musicians, many of whom I would love to see again should we be so fortunate as to get this story to Stage.

3. How did the audience's reaction to certain songs affect their life in the show? Many in the audience described their reactions as ‘blown away,’ or ‘overwhelmed.’ Most did not realize the story of Picasso’s courage and defiance against the forces of tyranny. And, of course, the music moved them along that story arc.

Our mission is to promote a story, in this case a true story, about the courage our three main characters exhibited during the middle of the Occupation of Paris, and to use that story to promote the idea of having ‘Courage for Peace.’

I often ask folks what they would do if they were transported back in time to 1935. Realizing a World War was on the horizon, what could they do to try to forestall that outcome?

Well, we face the same dilemma today in a world choked by fear and division. And now, with the rise of antisemitism, we are edging towards – repeating history. Are we simply going to let that outcome overwhelm us, or are we going to engage and promote Peace? That may be the question of our time – and it is what makes this story relevant today.

The Lost Dove on the front of Vichy French banknote
Photo Courtesy of Sir Kenneth Hawkins

4. Let's go back to the beginning for a moment. Picasso in Paris is inspired by the resurfacing of a lost Picasso masterpiece, The Lost Dove, a fragile yet powerful piece created in 1942 on the back of a Vichy French banknote as both a protest against fascism and a beacon of hope. What was the moment that made you say, "I need to create a Broadway musical based upon this work of art?" I have been on this journey for 14 years, the first six of those in pure research around the world to try to uncover the history of the creation and the history of its travels since it left Picasso’s studio.

The elements of that discovery became fascinating, and that story brought me to the attention of Ron Logan, a former executive at Disney. Ron invited me to Orlando to meet with two creatives, both Directors on the Disney properties of Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King.

I wish I had more time to tell the whole story, but the short version is that they recognized the world-wide appeal of a story about Picasso in Paris. They foresaw the commercial value in Europe, in Russia, in South America, and in every Spanish speaking country in the world. They wanted to buy my story, even the art, and open a show in Buenos Aires.

Those conversations inspired me to realize the value and importance of telling this story on stage, but I wasn’t sure that the story highlighting Courage for Peace would survive the creative re-writes by Disney.  And because that story was important to Picasso as he created this Peace Dove, it therefore remains important to me. Part of my duty is to honor the history and courage of the man.

5. From there, what part of the book just flowed out of you? The story that pierced my own soul came from the decisions Picasso made during the war.

I am a typical human. I tend to think too highly of myself. I am subject to ego. I like to interpret my own actions as noble whenever possible. But the question I faced was this: How would have I reacted in Occupied Paris in WWII?

Using that idea as a baseline, imagine you and I were rich and famous, and we were invited to leave Paris for Mexico, Brazil, or the United States. Imagine if you were guaranteed safe passage out of the horrors and deprivation of War and promised safety and fame in the New World.

I don’t know about you, but I would take the first flight out of the War, go live on a resort beach as a famous painter and create art to my heart’s content. That would be me.

But that wasn’t Picasso. And his choice to stay, to endure, to help and work for Peace humbled me. He was, quite simply, a braver man than me.

And that self-realization of my own selfish tendencies – marks me as ‘typical’, indeed ‘unremarkable’ when compared to Picasso.

That is the cold hard reality of comparing oneself to a real hero, which is exactly what Picasso was.

The Lost Dove on the back of Vichy French banknote
Photo Courtesy of Sir Kenneth Hawkins

6. What parts have you been struggling to write, and why do you think they have been so difficult? In this case, the story has been easy to write. There is so much material, so many fascinating events from the man in that time period. We are building a catalog of storylines from our work, realizing we cannot tell it all in a stage production. Those other storylines we hope to bring to life in a Netflix type series. We believe we have dozens of stories worthy to be told, forgotten stories of other heroes from that period.

7. Press notes state that Picasso in Paris tells the story of Picasso’s courage. How has writing this show given you courage? Realizing the implications of how Picasso reacted has definitely inspired me to engage more and to do so with a different mindset. And this is important.

Our story doesn’t promote the all too often contemporary idea of protesting this or that with signs and marches. Protesting and sloganeering is not an instrument that will foster Peace. Argument, shouting, and bemoaning imperfection is ultimately pointless. Peace is something that is developed between people. It is framed with kindness, mutual respect, engagement, and genuine help.

If we want to make a difference in the world on a grand scale, we need to begin to interact personally with strangers and friends around us. We need to turn away from the divisions and turn on the light of Peace in our daily lives. I suppose it’s the old lessons that endure, Aesop’s fables, Greek tragedies, and familiar phrases like treating others with kindness.

8. Additionally, the show talks about the impact art has during times of war. Given the times we are living in, how do you feel Picasso in Paris relates to today's world? There is no question that Art impacts culture. Music can impact culture, as do stories, and shared experiences.

One of my favorite philosophers of the 20^th century was a Swiss fellow named Francis Schaeffer. He postulated that Art is a unique gift of God, a type of subliminal communication medium, where people are moved from the impressions resonating within them when they see great art. Something happens below the surface, and often cannot be articulated, but nevertheless, art impacts the human condition.

In the exact same way, artists throughout the ages have responded to injustice and tragedy by creating works of beauty that tend to both speak against that tragedy, but also inspires change by highlighting nobility or hope. This Peace Dove by Picasso can continue to impact our world for Peace, as can many other artists who create today. I know you have heard countless stories about artists who became famous after their death. The trick for us is to recognize their greatness and embrace their art before they pass.

9. Playing off of the title of Picasso's art, The Lost Dove, when has there been a time in your life when you felt lost? In each of our lives, tragedy will appear, no matter how we may wish it away. I have been fortunate to not have lost lives, which is, of course, the greatest tragedy of them all.

I have lost relationships. I have lost friends. I have endured the common slings and arrows that Shakespeare spoke of. These are the common conditions of our lives.

But I have also been buoyed in those times by other dear friends, and dare I say, by God Himself, who is the bulwark of our souls. He is the faithful friend, the sojourner of life that guides and tempers us along life’s way.

10. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I am a complex being, as most of us are. I exist on many levels all the time. As an example, I am mostly an incredibly common. That part of me includes boring elements and common humdrums.

At the same time, I get to work around incredibly talented people, and this journey has taken me all the way up to the highest levels of royalty in Europe. Yet I remain that incredibly common person. That realization has kept me grounded, and very, very appreciative for all the people helping me to bring this project to life.

Among the many, I have been very honored to work with one of the great Picasso experts in the world, Robert Parker, and an incredible DNA expert, Rhonda Roby, both who traveled to share this NY concert debut with me.

I am so very grateful to have such fascinating friends on this journey.

For your readers, “Come join our journey, and help us bring this message of Peace to the world.”

Sir Kenneth Hawkins
Photo Courtesy of Sir Kenneth Hawkins

More on Sir Kenneth Hawkins:

Kenneth Hawkins began his career in the development of computer programming, followed by a ten year career as an Investment Advisor. For the last 33 years Ken has applied his creativity to the design of Custom Homes.

In 2010, during his time in public service as Mayor of his hometown, Ken discovered two rare masterpieces, one by Paul Klee, and a second work by Pablo Picasso that led him into the field of Art History Research. During the years that followed, Ken has interacted with some of the world’s most interesting luminaries, including members of Royalty, Nobel laureates, and the Chief of Staff to Pope Francis.

Those encounters have resulted in a Knighthood being bestowed on Sir Kenneth Hawkins into a Catholic Order of Saint Martin of Tours. Their mission is the promotion of Peace across cultures through the Gospel Beatitudes.

Sir Kenneth is currently the author of three books, two about Art History related to these great works, and another on the subject of Heaven titled, Caught Up in the Heavenlies.

And, of course, Ken is the co-writer for the Book of the pending musical production Picasso in Paris.