McPherson didn't originate the project. They asked, he said yes, Dylan read an outline and approved what he was doing. See the link below.
Whether it's a musical or a play with songs is open to question. It was billed as a musical in the West End but not at the Old Vic; having seen it (at the Old Vic, before it transferred), I think the word 'musical' sets up expectations that the production doesn't deliver. I loved it, and I thought it was an achingly beautiful piece of theatre, but for a lot of the show the songs and the play exist on separate planes. The musical arrangements (by Simon Hale) are stunning, and so is the London cast recording. |
