Los Angeles Times: "Following in the recent footsteps of Green Day and Duncan Sheik, singer Regina Spektor is making the transition from rock star to stage artist in the new musical production 'Beauty,' which is expected to open in 2011.
The Russian-born Spektor, whose latest alt-rock album 'Far' was released earlier this year, currently is writing the music for the show, collaborating with playwright Tina Landau, whose one-act play 'Beauty' provides the inspiration for the production."
7 comments:
And the indie musical was born.
Ariel is probably right. However, I have to say Regina Spektor is a very talented artist with a very diverse array writing and songs. If the story can hold up she will bring a very unique twist to the traditional musical theater prototype. I am very excited to hear what she comes up with and how her songs sound when they are sang by a more traditional Broadway voice. This is quite a strange trend of popular stars writing for the theater, but in general I think it is an interesting turn for Broadway to take and it could potentially attract a whole new (younger) audience to theater.
At the heart of Regina Spektor's musical is storytelling which makes her contribution to "Beauty" a no brainer. Molly mentions her anticipation of hearing Spektor like songs being sung in a "more traditional Broadway voice", and what I actually find most exciting is that it appears that we are slowly refining what a Broadway voice is. Musical Theatre is often thought of by the public as having an "Oklahoma!" uppity feel. Perhaps more productions like "Beauty" will expand the definition of what a Broadway voice is, making it more relatable.
I have no particular feelings about Regina Spektor, but I am really pleased (well maybe) that its becoming cool for pop or indie or rock or whatever musicians to cross over into theater. Back when Frank Sinatra was in Vogue it was cool to listen to Show Tunes but since then it seems like music lovers have been divided into factions and I'm glad to see that there will hopefully be more agreement among various music loving communities.
I was prepared to read the article and be disappointed in the fact that an artist like Regina Spector would sink as low as to turning her songs into a musical. However, as I read the article and the little bit of the plot they gave, it started to grow on me. I'm still skeptical, but if they work with it in the right way it could turn out good.
There is nothing I respect more than an artist coming out of her comfort zone, and I think Regina Spektor has taken a huge leap in composing for Beauty. As a fan on her music, I know how wonderfully varied her work can be. Before I read this article, I had no idea that she had classical training, and gives me hope that she will be able to express her huge range of musical knowledge in this piece that she has been unable or unwilling to do in her solo career.
I would love to hear more about the play-it sounds fascinating, and I will do anything to hear more of Regina Spektor's music.
I think a lot of musicals have defied the typical Broadway voice already. The musical 'Brooklyn' has a lot of blues and jazz-like songs, in addition to the status quo belts. I think Regina Spektor will do a beautiful job with this project. Her songs tell more than just stories. Taylor Swift tells stories. Regina Spektor tells stories that portray real emotions. That's the huge difference in my opinion. I'm not sure if someone ever told me, but I guessed she was classically trained just by listening to her compositions. She's an extremely gorgeous artist, and I am so excited for her. I think she deserves to stretch her wings and expand her career in new ways.
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