Thursday, November 12, 2015
A Visit to the Strange, Secretive World of David Bowie’s ‘Lazarus’
The New York Times: “Lazarus,” which begins performances on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and opens on Dec. 7, is one of the most anticipated works of the fall season and easily the most closely guarded. Few details have emerged, but the involvement of David Bowie, who has composed several original songs, revamped old ones and written the book with the Irish playwright Enda Walsh, guaranteed avid interest.
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6 comments:
This is really exciting. I’m always quick to say that we need more original, new theatre in New York due to the rising number of productions based on existing entertainment ventures, such as television or film. I think this may be a good blend of drawing in audiences based on familiarity to an existing idea (popular musicians), while still creating new work. Just as the article mentioned, this has been done before very successfully, most recently Cyndi Lauper with “Kinky Boots”. These artists have the name recognition necessary to bring in people that would not typically see a theatrical production, but they are not merely watching an adaption of a television show. I have high hopes for “Lazarus” because David Bowie will introduce a new spin to the typical musician writing a musical because of his style and genre as opposed to an artist like Elton John.
I think this sounds like a very intriguing play. The little bits and pieces they’ve le slip to the public create a world that sounds fascinating, and their intense secrecy only makes me more curious about the show. I am curious about the amount of secrecy though. Are they being this closed mouthed to generate interest and publicity? Or is there some other reason they’re playing their cards so close to their chest. If their not just doing this for publicity reasons this seems like a sort of excessive amount of secrecy. Especially since it seems like shows normally want as much information as possible to get out so people will get excited about seeing the show. Either way I’m looking forwards to finding out more about this show.
This sounds like a cool show, I love David Bowie’s style I just hope the show won’t end up like Spider ma with such a talented artist behind it, but with just a weak product. I think it is incredible that this director hand such a personal connection to David Bowie so quickly, I feel like that has the makings for an exciting pair. I love a show or a movie when the music or sound design could really be its own character as it helps the journey of the story so much. This show seems to have this potential; I am looking forward to more information coming out about this production. I also think Michael C Hall is a totally awesome actor, but I suppose that is a separate opinion. I think it will be fun to see an exploration of Newton in such a light played by Hall.
I've always considered myself a bit of a David Bowie fan. Not the sort to make a big deal out of it or publicly profess my love, but enough of a fan to try to keep myself abreast of goings on in his public artistic journeys. That's why I was pleasantly shocked and a bit disappointed in myself upon the discovery of this piece of performance art, featuring the songs of one of the most talented songwriting minds of our time. After reading this article, and the premise of this piece, I find myself attached to a performance that is far away, at this point most likely too expensive, and at this point most likely to break my heart in a thousand other little ways. I could start a rant here about the availability of such high-powered, star-studded commercial theater, and how when shows like this come along, the broke and crunched for time have little opportunity to move around their schedules and finances in a way that makes buying tickets like these a feasible. Case in point, Hamilton, for which I would have the time to see over break, but not the $2500 the tickets would have cost.
More on this subject will surely come later.
A couple of great things discussed in this article. The first is that it is an impressive example of cross-collaboration. While yes, Bowie is an actor, his primary art-form is his song-writing. That talent, combined with his book-writer and the talent of Van Hove make for a stunning example of the collaboration that all students should strive for, as they are making the new wave of musical theatre that will shape Broadway in our life-time. I and three other students are currently working on a project with a computer science major, and not only is project itself incredibly exciting, but every time we sit down to a meeting and realize how differently our minds work, and how collectively dedicated to making something awesome that we are, we get a strong drive and feeling of purpose. Here in this article is the example of famous people doing similar things.
Which brings me to my next point. The attention that this musical is receiving, based on its star power of a creative team, can mean nothing but good things to the state of our theatre in the world today. It also is evidence that Broadway is becoming a more exciting medium for outside artists to collaborate within. I can only hope that this enthusiasm trickles into the not-for-profit theatre world as well.
I've been extremely excited aobut this since it's inception. As a bit of strange youngin' who was hell bent on all things glam rock, even clothes (which was not a good middle school decision), David Bowie was my idol. Here was this guy who felt so much like an alien on planet earth that probably 40% of his melancholy, but still rockin' music reflects that feeling. And that was something I felt akin to. Personally, I think Bowie is perfect for adapting something to Broadway. here is this over the top guy, who genuinely feels stories, and always has a weird and interesting story to tell through music and sometimes film. I think he belongs there, and isn't just trying to revamp his career with a publicity stunt like some other older musicians or actors seem to. This is geuine, in the way that I think Boy George's musical was.
Now, The Man Who Fell to Earth is a strange, STRANGE film. Most of it centers around an alien Bowie borading around his apartment. But, with a modern script, and a better actor than Bowie (sorry man), Michael C. Hall, I cannot wait to see where his vision takes this show.
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