Мюзикл о Джоне Ленноне

Lemmon
Canonizing John Lennon on Broadway undermines everything the artist stood for
http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2005-05-04/culture/stage.html

Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Producers pull the plug on John Lennon Musical

The new musical called "Lennon" based on the life of John Lennon has been pulled off tour by its producers. The up-coming show in Boston, Massachusetts, has been scrapped after it opened on April 12 in San Francisco to poor reviews and sales.

Director, Don Scardino said of the show, "We're retooling the first act to make the story more linear. I was surprised to learn that a lot of people aren't familiar with John's story."

Producers will review and make necessary changes before "Lennon" debuts on Broadway in July.
http://www.therockradio.com/2005/05/producers-pull-plug-on-john-lennon.html

Julie Danao defines Yoko
Stephanie Grace Loleng, May 11, 2005

“Imagine all the people, living life in peace….
you may say, I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
I hope some day you’ll join us and the world can live as one.”

JOHN Lennon wrote those words during the Vietnam War. Now, 30 years after the Fall of Saigon, those words still ring true today when we think about the War in Iraq.

In the recent Broadway show, “Lennon,” the Beatle’s life is re-told through an array of Lennon songs, a nine-person multi-ethnic cast, an orchestra and photos of John Lennon, projected on stage.

John Lennon met Yoko Ono at an art exhibit of her works, and he fell in love instantly. Their controversial relationship was on everyone’s gossipy mouths and open for public scrutiny through mainstream media. John Lennon was very much married then, and Yoko was accused of breaking up the Beatles.

But to Filipino American Julie Danao, who plays Yoko Ono in the Broadway-bound musical “Lennon,” Yoko Ono was a pillar of strength and an artist in her own right.

“She was such a very strong woman in the ‘60s…for me to play someone like that was an exhilarating feeling, a challenge of my own strength,” said Danao.
In the play, John Lennon’s character is performed by many actors – young, old, black and white to illustrate the different aspects of his personality. But for Yoko, only Julie Danao portrays her, which provides the audience with something or someone to ground them.

Danao suggests that it also showed how Yoko was a grounding force for John.
To prepare for the part, Danao read articles on Yoko and even met her in person.
“She is very loving, and very beautiful…she was very supportive of all of us,” said Danao.

Written and directed by Don Scardino, a director and book writer, “Lennon” uses a multicultural nine-person cast, who trade off depicting John Lennon.
One scene has African American woman, Marcy Harriell singing “Woman Is the Nigger of the World” in a powerful display on stage, and as she finished the song, nods her head to another African American actor onstage.

Ninety-percent of the dialogue came directly from Lennon’s writings and interviews and Scardino selected 28 songs while using actual archived photos of the rocker and his life with Yoko in the background.

Danao’s Yoko Ono, is very believable from when the couple first meet at Ono’s art installation in New York to the “Bed-In for Peace” protest the couple became controversial for.

Julie Danao grew up in Miami and got involved with theater after the 1992 Hurricane Andrew hit, destroying her house and damaging the university where she was enrolled. Because she couldn’t go to classes, as the college was being rebuilt, she decided to take some time off and go to Los Angeles. She then auditioned for Miss Saigon and after four tries, finally got the part.
“It was fun and was great to be a part of the Asian community,” said Danao.
From that experience she realized that she could in turn make a career out of performing.

She’s played roles in “Rent”, “Aida” and “Saturday Night Fever” but for “Lennon”, Danao is able to originate a role that has never been performed before.

“For now, I’m very secure with the idea of getting this on its feet,” said Danao. “I’m in a boat full of incredible actors and singers…this is my journey, I’m very proud about this piece of work.”

http://www.philippinenews.com/news/view_article.html...id=cfe71e140d000c1a142c370874ea5f02

Lennon Ends Run in San Francisco May 14; Broadway Is Next
By Robert Simonson
14 May 2005

Lennon, the new musical about the legendary Beatle and rock icon, will end its run at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre on May 14.

The stint turned out to be the show's only out-of-town tryout. Lennon was originally scheduled to move on to Boston, but—halfway through the San Francisco run—producers announced they would skip Beantown and head right to New York.

Lennon will land at Broadway's Broadhurst June 28 and open July 28. The scrapped stint at Boston's Colonial Theatre was slated for May 31-June 25.

"After an enthusiastic response from theatregoers in San Francisco, we have learned a lot about our show," producer Allan McKeown said in a released statement. "We made the decision today to forego our Boston engagement and will instead return to the rehearsal room in New York with our cast and creative team to make the changes that will be beneficial to our show. We look forward to arriving on Broadway with a show that we believe will live up to the legend of John Lennon."

The musical features nine actors portraying the late Beatles singer-songwriter John Lennon at various stages in his life, backed by an onstage 10-piece band. 27 songs from the substantial Lennon oeuvre will be featured in the musical, among them "Imagine," "Instant Karma," "Give Peace a Chance," "(Just Like) Starting Over," and "Whatever Gets You Through the Night."

Will Chase (Aida), Chuck Cooper (Caroline, or Change), Julie Danao (Rent, Aida tours), Mandy Gonzalez (Aida, Dance of the Vampires), Marcy Harriell (Lucky Duck, "Ed"), Chad Kimball (Into the Woods), Terrence Mann (Les Misérables), Julia Murney (The Wild Party) and Michael Potts (Twelfth Night) comprise the ensemble cast of the new Broadway musical.

Producers Allan McKeown, Edgar Lansbury, Clear Channel Entertainment and Jeff Sine present Lennon by arrangement with Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. Ono also gave permission for the production to use three unpublished Lennon songs "India, India," "I Don't Want to Lose You" and "Cookin' (In the Kitchen of Love)."

Harold Wheeler provides orchestrations for the musical while Lon Hoyt serves as music supervisor and Joe Malone handles choreography. The design team of Lennon includes John Arnone (scenic/projection), Jane Greenwood (costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Bobby Aitken (sound).

For more information and an exclusive interview with Yoko Ono, visit www.lennonthemusical.com.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92916.html

Photo: Julie Danao and Chad Kimball in Lennon

A scene from Lennon

The Ballad of Billy and John: 700 Sundays Extends; Delays Lennon Broadway Start
By Ernio Hernandez
16 May 2005

Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays has announced it will extend on Broadway through June 12. The theatre's next tenant, Lennon, will bump its start to July 7 and opening to Aug. 4.

Tickets for the final extension will go on sale May 17 at 10 AM.

"Billy's been delighting audiences with 700 Sundays and we congratulate him on his enormous success," producer Allan McKeown said in a release. "We fully understand his desire to extend a few weeks. We look forward to moving into the Broadhurst Theatre with Lennon after he has completed his successful run."

The musical Lennon recently announced that it would skip its scheduled Boston run following its world premiere at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre and head right to New York for previews starting June 28 and the original opening night, July 28.

700 Sundays is billed as two-act play that "deals with [Crystal's] youth, growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, his teenage years, and finally adulthood." The title refers to the number of days Crystal got to spend with his busy-with-jobs father who died when young Billy was only 15.

Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Big River, The Who's Tommy) directs the solo work which began performances Nov. 12, 2004 and opened Dec. 5 at the Broadhurst Theatre for a run originally slated through March 6.

Janice Crystal (the star's wife) and Larry Magid produce the Broadway run of the work which was developed at La Jolla Playhouse, where McAnuff is artistic director.

Written and directed by Don Scardino (A Few Good Men), the new musical Lennon features nine actors portraying the late Beatles singer-songwriter John Lennon at various stages in his life backed by an onstage 10-piece band. 27 songs from the substantial Lennon oeuvre will be featured in the musical, among them "Imagine," "Instant Karma," "Give Peace a Chance," "(Just Like) Starting Over," and "Whatever Gets You Through the Night."

Will Chase (Aida), Chuck Cooper (Caroline, or Change), Julie Danao (Rent, Aida tours), Mandy Gonzalez (Aida, Dance of the Vampires), Marcy Harriell (Lucky Duck, "Ed"), Chad Kimball (Into the Woods), Terrence Mann (Les Misérables), Julia Murney (The Wild Party) and Michael Potts (Twelfth Night) comprise the ensemble cast of the new Broadway musical.

Producers Allan McKeown, Edgar Lansbury, Clear Channel Entertainment and Jeff Sine present Lennon by arrangement with Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. Ono also gave permission for the production to use three unpublished Lennon songs "India, India," "I Don't Want to Lose You" and "Cookin' (In the Kitchen of Love)."

For more information, visit www.lennonthemusical.com.

700 Sundays performs at the Broadhurst Theatre, located at 235 West 44 Street.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92980.html

"Премьера" в Бостоне. (Photo - Alexey Zakharov)

Broadway-Bound Lennon Cast Set to Start Rehearsals in New York Next Week
01 Jun 2005

The cast for the upcoming Lennon are back in New York and will begin rehearsals next week for the show's Broadway debut, according to production spokespersons.

The new musical Lennon recently announced that it would skip its scheduled Boston run following its world premiere at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre and head right to New York for previews starting June 28 and the original opening night, July 28. Then rescheduled the start to July 7 and opening to Aug. 4 when Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays announced it would extend at the Broadhurst Theatre through June 12.

Billed as "A musical biography, a concert, and a celebration all in one," Lennon will take audiences "on a magical, mythical journey behind the greatest rock legacy and the boldest love story of our time — with words, images and some of the best pop songs ever written." according to show materials. "From the Beatles to the Bed-Ins, from his musical partnership with Paul to his life partnership with Yoko, Lennon will bring you back to a time when music could change your soul... and one musician could change the world."

Written and directed by Don Scardino (A Few Good Men), the new musical Lennon features nine actors portraying the late Beatles singer-songwriter John Lennon at various stages in his life backed by an onstage 10-piece band. 27 songs from the substantial Lennon oeuvre will be featured in the musical, among them "Imagine," "Instant Karma," "Give Peace a Chance," "(Just Like) Starting Over," and "Whatever Gets You Through the Night."

Will Chase (Aida), Chuck Cooper (Caroline, or Change), Julie Danao (Rent, Aida tours), Mandy Gonzalez (Aida, Dance of the Vampires), Marcy Harriell (Lucky Duck, "Ed"), Chad Kimball (Into the Woods), Terrence Mann (Les Misérables), Julia Murney (The Wild Party) and Michael Potts (Twelfth Night) comprise the ensemble cast of the new Broadway musical.

Producers Allan McKeown, Edgar Lansbury, Clear Channel Entertainment and Jeff Sine present Lennon by arrangement with Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. Ono also gave permission for the production to use two unpublished Lennon songs "India, India" and "I Don't Want to Lose You."

For more information, visit www.lennonthemusical.com.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/93273.html

'Lennon' plots tune-up
Musical took its knocks but may come back singing

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117924656?categoryid=15&cs=1&s=h&p=0

YOKO'S BAD 'TRIP'
June 29, 2005 -- Broadway Matinee

NOW that we've sunk "The Mambo Kings," let's make a run at another winner, "Lennon."

This jukebox musical, which mines the John Lennon catalogue, opened to poor reviews in San Francisco in May. One critic said: "Imagine something awful."

The producers canceled a Boston engagement so they could do some more work on the show before its New York premiere.

But rather than bring in an experienced Broadway show doctor, they hired one Bob Eaton, a close friend of Yoko Ono's from Liverpool who once wrote a documentary-style musical about Lennon that ran in the West End 20 years ago.

Although the producers have gone on record saying the show is 40 percent new, cast members grumble that Eaton's revisions are cosmetic. He's clarified a plot that was almost impossible to follow in San Francisco, but "Lennon," the cast members say, is still saddled with a wacky concept — nine actors playing different facets of Lennon's personality.

Ono thinks the show's in good shape, and since she's calling the shots, "Lennon" probably won't undergo much more revision.

Indeed, Eaton's already back in England and isn't planning to return to New York until the first preview on July 7 (the show opens at the Broadhurst Aug. 4).

Ono, sources say, has always focused on the music, often at the expense of storytelling.

She is said to be thrilled with the use of a video at the end of the show in which Lennon sits with her at the piano and performs "Imagine" and then kisses her.

A production source says all of "Lennon" seems to be a "nostalgia trip" for Yoko.

Well, it certainly isn't a trip to the bank at this point. Ticket sales are weak. The advance is about $1 million and change — not very impressive for a musical about one of the most famous songwriters of all time.

http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/49244.htm

All We Are Saying...: New Bio-Musical Lennon Starts on Broadway July 7
By Ernio Hernandez
07 Jul 2005

Lennon arrives at the Broadhurst Theatre July 7 for the new bio-musical's Broadway debut starring nine actors who play the legendary singer-songwriter and one-time Beatle.

The new musical made its world premiere at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre and skipped its planned Boston run to head right to New York for previews, but rescheduled its start and opening when Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays extended at the Broadhurst through June 12. Lennon will open officially Aug. 4.

Billed as "A musical biography, a concert, and a celebration all in one," Lennon will take audiences "on a magical, mythical journey behind the greatest rock legacy and the boldest love story of our time — with words, images and some of the best pop songs ever written," according to show materials. "From the Beatles to the Bed-Ins, from his musical partnership with Paul to his life partnership with Yoko, Lennon will bring you back to a time when music could change your soul... and one musician could change the world."

Written and directed by Don Scardino (A Few Good Men) from Lennon's own words in interviews, songs and otherwise, Lennon features a diverse ensemble of nine actors portraying the late Beatles singer-songwriter John Lennon at various stages in his life backed by an onstage 10-piece band.

Will Chase (Aida), Chuck Cooper (Caroline, or Change), Julie Danao-Salkin (Saturday Night Fever), Mandy Gonzalez (Aida, Dance of the Vampires), Marcy Harriell (Lucky Duck, "Ed"), Chad Kimball (Into the Woods), Terrence Mann (Les Misérables), Julia Murney (The Wild Party) and Michael Potts (Twelfth Night) comprise the ensemble cast of the new Broadway musical.

The design team for Lennon features John Arnone (scenic/ projection), Jane Greenwood (costume), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Bobby Aitken (sound). Harold Wheeler provides orchestrations and Lon Hoyt is music supervisor/arranger. Choreography is by Joseph Malone. John Miller serves as music coordinator and Jeffrey Klitz is music director. Bob Eaton is credited as creative consultant.

Producers Allan McKeown, Edgar Lansbury, Clear Channel Entertainment and Jeff Sine present Lennon by arrangement with Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. Ono also gave permission for the production to use two unpublished Lennon songs "India, India" and "I Don't Want to Lose You."

The songlist includes "Mother," "Look At Me," "Money," "Twist and Shout," "Instant Karma," "India, India," " Real Love (Boys and Girls)," "Oh My Love," "Mind Games," "The Ballad of John and Yoko," "How Do You Sleep?," "God," "Give Peace a Chance," "New York City," "Power to the People," "Woman Is the Nigger of the World," "Attica State," "Gimme Some Truth," "I'm Losing You/I'm Moving On," "I'm Stepping Out," "I Don't Want to Lose You," "Whatever Gets You Through the Night," "Woman," "Beautiful Boy," "Watching the Wheels," "(Just Like) Starting Over," "Grow Old with Me" and "Imagine."

For more information, visit www.lennonthemusical.com.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/93889.html

Will Chase in the the San Francisco try-out of Lennon

А как поклонники Джона относятся к такому явлению, как "мюзикл про Леннона"? Кажется, битл не очень жаловал этот "низкий балаганный жанр"( хотя, поп-музыка тоже где-то рядом...)
Хотелось бы выслушать разл. мнения и т.з. Понятно, что слышавших сие творение среди форумчан единицы...Тем не менее, очень интересно выслушать , т.с., личностые отношения (имхо) к жанру "мюзикл" и в частности к САБЖУ.
Моя имха - отрицательная...Убогая ментальность не вскормленная Бродвейем...
Вспомнился Мел Брукс с "супер-проектом" "Гитлер на льду"...Ну и целый ряд его гэгов по поводу музы-кала и тэ пэ...

'Lennon,' the Yoko Musical, Needs 'Help!'
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C163171%2C00.html

Yoko’s Lennon musical stirs a mistress attack
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1706485,00.html

Video Link: Broadway World: View LENNON Today Show Performance on MSNBC.com
http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=4072

http://video.msn.com/video/p.htm...d-2e6c-4bfb-ae89-78c409abe0fe,b088c7bd-fe44-4c61-94d%20

очередная попытка сделать бабки на чужой славе.
с исскуством здесь ничего общего - это конвейер, который рассчитан на работу в течении 5-8 лет и на туристов.
и конечно, никто не повесит их знаменитый лозунг на фронтоне театра \см. ниже\!
Да и сейчас уже другие времена и гером и песни..

more

Director, Don Scardino said of the show, "We're retooling the first act to make the story more linear. I was surprised to learn that a lot of people aren't familiar with John's story." -Режиссер Дон Скардино сказал о шоу: мы переделываем 1-й акт, чтобы сделать эту историю более познавательной. Я был удивлён узнав, что много людей абсолютно не знают историю Джона.


подтверждение моего тезиса : иные времена - иные герои..