Misplaced Pages

The Fortress of Solitude (musical)

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Musical by Michael Friedman
The Fortress of Solitude
Off-Broadway promotional art
MusicMichael Friedman
LyricsMichael Friedman
BookItamar Moses
BasisThe Fortress of Solitude
by Jonathan Lethem
Productions2012 Poughkeepsie
2014 Dallas
2014 Off-Broadway

The Fortress of Solitude is a musical with music and lyrics written by Michael Friedman, and a book by Itamar Moses adapted from The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem.

Synopsis

According to The Public Theater's website, "The Fortress of Solitude is the extraordinary coming-of-age story about 1970s Brooklyn and beyond — of black and white, soul and rap, block parties and blackouts, friendship and betrayal, comic books and 45s. And the story of what would happen if two teenagers obsessed with superheroes believed that maybe, just maybe, they could fly".

Productions

The musical premiered at Vassar College and New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theatre, as a part of the Martel Musical Workshops (concert readings of works-in-progress), opening on June 29, 2012 and closing July 1. The show was directed (and originally conceived) by Daniel Aukin, with Kyle Beltran, Alex Brightman, John Ellison Conlee, André De Shields, Carla Duren, Santino Fontana, Brandon Gill, Conlin Hanlon, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Jahi Kearse, Meghan McGeary, Lauren Molina, and David St. Louis.

The Dallas production at Dallas Theater Center opened on March 7, 2014 and closed on April 6. The show was directed by Daniel Aukin, set design Eugene Lee, lighting design Tyler Micoleau, costume design Jessica Pabst, sound design Robert Kaplowitz, projection design Jeff Sugg, wig design Leah J. Loukas, choreography Camille A. Brown, musical director Kimberly Grigsby, orchestrations John Clancy & Matt Beck. The band was composed of Grigsby (conductor, keyboard 2), Alex Vorse (associate music director, keyboard 1, keyboard programmer), Joe Lee (guitar), Peggy Honea (bass), Mike Drake (drums), Jorge Ginorio (Latin percussion), Pete Brewer (reeds), Cathy Richardson (viola/violin), and Larry Spencer (trumpet/Fleugelhorn/piccolo trumpet).

The Off-Broadway production opened on September 30, 2014 (previews), officially on October 22 at The Public Theater, a co-production with the Dallas Theater Center. The show was directed by Daniel Aukin with choreography by Camille A. Brown. The show closed on November 16.

Cast

Character Vassar College (2012) Dallas (2014) Public Theatre (2014)
Abraham Ebdus John Ellison Conlee Alex Organ Ken Barnett
Mingus Rude Kyle Beltran
Dylan Ebdus Santino Fontana Adam Chanler-Berat
Barrett Rude Senior Andre De Shields
Barrett Rude Junior David St. Louis Kevin Mambo
Marilla Carla Duren Traci Lee Carla Duren
Robert Woolfolk Brandon Gill Nicholas Christopher Brian Tyree Henry
Arthur Lomb Alex Brightman Etai Benshlomo David Rossmer
Lala / Abby Rebecca Naomi Jones Carla Duren Rebecca Naomi Jones
Raf / Henry / Desmond / Jared/ Timothy Jahi Kearse
Radio Guy / Mike / Gabe Conlin Hanlon Jeremy Allen Dumont Conor Ryan
Rachel Ebdus/ Mrs. Lomb Meghan McGeary Patty Breckenridge Kristen Sieh
Skater Girl / Liza Lauren Molina Alison Hodgson Alison Whitehurst
Subtle Distinction Britton Smith, Akron Watson, Juson Williams
Swing Stephanie Duret, Malaiyka Reid, Noah Ricketts

Musical numbers

Source: CurtainUp

Act 1
  • Prelude — Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction, Dylan, Rachel
  • The One I Remember — Full Company
  • The Time Keeps Changing — Dylan, Barrett Rude Junior, Rachel
  • (You Gotta) Grab Something — Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction
  • Superman/Sidekick — Mingus, Dylan, Barret Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction
  • White Boy — Arthur, Abby, Marilla, Dylan
  • The Ballad of Barrett Rude, Sr. — Barrett Rude Senior, Abby, Marilla, Liza
  • Painting — Abraham, Mingus
  • This Little World — Mingus, Rachel, Abraham, Dylan, Barrett Rude Junior
  • Take Me to the Bridge — Barrett Rude Senior, Mingus, Dylan, Ensemble
  • High High High School/Fuck You Up — Mike, Skate Girl, Dylan, Robert, Arthur
  • I'm Busy Now (So Don't Bother Me) — Marilla, Lala, Subtle Distinction, Ensemble
Act 2
  • Act Two Prelude — Rachel
  • If I Had Known Then (What I Know Now) — Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction
  • Bothered Blue — Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction, Dylan, Rachel
  • Take It Baby — Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction, Dylan, Rachel
  • Who's Calling Me — Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction, Dylan, Rachel
  • Something — Abby, Rachel, Abraham
  • This Little World (Reprise) — Dylan, Abby, Rachel, Barrett Rude Junior, Subtle Distinction
  • The Ballad of Mingus Rude — Mingus, Robert, Ensemble
  • Superman/Superman (Reprise) — Mingus, Ensemble
  • The Gift — Rachel, Ensemble
  • Middle Space — Dylan, Mingus, Ensemble

Awards and nominations

Original Off-Broadway production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2015 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music Michael Friedman Nominated
Outstanding Lyrics Nominated
Outer Critic's Circle Awards Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Public Theater 2014-2015 Season - Public Theater". www.publictheater.org. Archived from the original on 2014-04-28.
  2. Staff. "The Verdict: Critics Review the New Musical 'The Fortress of Solitude' at The Public" playbill.com, October 23, 2014
  3. "Powerhouse Schedule" vassar.edu
  4. ^ The Fortress of Solitude dallastheatercenter.org
  5. ^ The Fortress of Solitude publictheater.org
  6. Sommer, Elyse. "Review. The Fortress of Solitude" curtainup.com, October 17, 2014
  7. Cox, Gordon (May 31, 2015). "'Hamilton', 'Curious Incident' Top the 2015 Drama Desk Awards (FULL LIST)". Variety. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  8. Cox, Gordon (May 11, 2015). "Incident' Wins Big". Variety. Retrieved August 29, 2019.

External links

Categories: