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| Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 07:34 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical! The untold true story behind George Gershwin's most famous concert work sets sights on Broadway. A new musical about American composer and pianist George Gershwin and his 1924 masterpiece Rhapsody in Blue has its sights set on New York's Broadway. Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical is an original stage musical that is written and will be produced by Karen Anne Court, who will start developing the production in New York later this year. Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical showcases Gershwin's genius in redefining American music and creating a new genre by fusing classical and jazz at the age of 25. This musical focuses on the five and a half weeks leading up to Gershwin performing the anthem of New York's golden age for the first time at Aeolian Hall, Manhattan. Inspired by the city he grew up in and loved so much, Gershwin once described his Rhapsody in Blue as a "musical kaleidoscope of America, of our vast melting pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our blues, our metropolitan madness." Set in the 1920s, the musical explores issues of racism and anti-Semitism, its effect on Gershwin as a man and composer, and the unexpected rise of a young songwriter who began his career in New York's Tin Pan Alley before redefining American music. This musical also honors Gershwin's brother, Ira, and the monumental role he played in George's life, their achievements together, and the legacy they left the world as song writing partners. Speaking about her musical on the 96th anniversary of the world premiere of Rhapsody in Blue, Karen says: "Rhapsody in Blue is a musical work of enormous cultural and historical significance. It's time to pay homage to the man and his music, which we couldn't even begin to imagine life without. Developing the production is the next step in what has been a fascinating eight-year journey through discovering and writing about George Gershwin's most well-loved and controversial score." More details will be announced in the coming months. |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 10:46 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - Official_Press_Release 07:34 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| The fact that this press release says this show "has its sights set on New York's Broadway" alone makes me think it will never get anywhere near "New York's Broadway." (I'm not sure I've ever heard or read that phrase before!) Also, since the show is billed as a musical, the release might have given some sort of clearer indication of what the musical component will be. Will there be Gershwin songs in it? Presumably, there will be excerpts from RHAPSODY IN BLUE and perhaps a full performance of the piece at the end of the show, but if so, how will be performed? By a full orchestra? I tend to doubt that. So many questions. Will be interesting to find out the answers -- again, assuming the production actually happens. P.S. I briefly worked in the building that used to house Aeolian Hall, where the Rhapsody premiered. |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: Sam890 03:44 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - Michael_Portantiere 10:46 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Agreed, it seems an extremely premature press release. Although the clarification of New York's Broadway might be for the Presidents benefit, whose demonstrated grasp of geography is shaky at best ;) |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: dbdbdb 10:52 am EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - Michael_Portantiere 10:46 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Well, we had a Broadway in Lorain, Ohio. You don't people getting all confused.... | |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Last Edit: Chromolume 11:00 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 10:53 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - Michael_Portantiere 10:46 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| I'm glad you took the plunge first, Michael. ;-) This may be a very well-meaning project, but from the very very little I can find on it online (already a bad sign), this sounds like one sole person's dream of getting to write (and produce) their own "NYC's Broadway" musical, and I'd be surprised indeed if it actually happens. I even found a kickstarter page for the show, from last June, where she was only able to raise $649 on a goal of around $19,500. She's a UK pianist/piano teacher who is producing, promoting, and writing this Broadway-sized dream, seemingly all on her own. On the kickstarter page, she's even hawking supposed show t-shirts and yes, "soundtracks." I'm sure she's a wonderful lady. But she's going to need a lot more backing in all ways if she even wants to get a simple reading done. I tend to think she really doesn't know how to do this. But it's great to have a dream, and if the show does develop, I hope it brings her joy. Though I do have to say, this quote from the press release - "It's time to pay homage to the man and his music" - really gets me. Does she really think Gershwin and his music haven't been paid homage many times over? On Broadway yet - even NYC's Broadway lol? - Not to say more homage isn't great - but - "it's time"??? ;-) |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: icecadet 01:06 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - Chromolume 10:53 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| "...a kickstarter page for the show...where she was only able to raise $649 of around $19,500." Hope the cost of the "official press release" didn't claim a chunk of that." |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: dlevy 11:20 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - Chromolume 10:53 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Didn't Rhapsody in Blue enter the public domain this year? That may be why "it's time." | |
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| Yes, "Rhapsody in Blue" is now public domain as of 2020 | |
| Posted by: GrumpyMorningBoy 08:37 am EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - dlevy 11:20 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Link below. This isn't a bad idea for a musical, but this is the sort of thing that Tom Stoppard should be writing, and obviously, Michael Feinstein should be involved. - GMB |
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| Link | NPR: 1924 Copyrighted Works To Become Part Of The Public Domain |
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| re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 11:35 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Rhapsody in Blue the Stage Musical sets sights on NYC's Broadway - dlevy 11:20 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| That could be. But her statement seems much broader than that. | |
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