Never before performed in Birmingham, the brilliant and highly unusual, Tony Award nominated Broadway hit musical [title of show] opens at The Crescent Theatre on Saturday 10th May and runs until the 17th. It’s a treat for any theatre goer, not just for people into musical theatre. With an inventive and refreshingly original concept, this fast, high-energy, short and very funny 5-performer show stands out from the crowd, not least with stunning (and stunningly difficult!) music that ‘out sondheims’ Sondheim, a littering of theatre references (can you spot them all?) and a witty script that’s not afraid to tout some of the worst puns on record.
Meta to the core, [title of show] tells the true story of Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell, two New York writers, who spotted the chance of fame through a musical theatre festival competition which was inviting new ideas, complete with book and music – but with a deadline only three weeks away! Recruiting a couple of actor friends and a pianist pal, they embarked on the challenge … and succeeded.
Bowen and Bell, who didn’t want to adapt an existing play or movie, realised that their conversations about what to write were more interesting than what they were actually writing. So they set off to write “a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical”, and the show was born. And it’s here now.
Amongst the many challenges for Bowen and Bell was coming up, in time, with a title. They gave up on that. So they simply put what was on the application form, i.e. [title of show] … where it asked for [title of show]! This has intrigued audiences from the day that the show first launched in 2006. It started on Off-Broadway, making its way quickly to Broadway, then to around the world and now to Birmingham, thanks to the Crescent.
Director Karen Leadbetter explains: “ [title of show] is just CRAZY! It’s a musical, yes, but there are so many layers to it that it just doesn’t work like a normal musical. For example, characters play a blank piece of paper at one point, there are montage sequences, even a dream sequence and so many other moments that take you by surprise. So, yes it’s crazy …. but it’s also got a real heart to the story as well.”
“[title of show] is not just about writing a musical, it’s about friendship – five friends and their dreams. It’s an emotional journey that’s rooted in hope and determination but has disappointments and disagreements along the way. But, above all, it’s just such great fun; and it’s so funny!”
“The music is fantastic. Our Musical Director Gary Spruce believes that some of it is even more complex and challenging for the actors than some Sondheim, but they’re making a great job of it and it’s a real pleasure to listen to.”
This is simply a fun, funny, heart-warming (and sometimes a little bit heart-breaking) and highly unusual piece of theatre – a must for any theatre goer.
The show runs until Saturday 17th May. Some tickets are still available. To book just visit www.crescent-theatre.co.uk or call 0121 643 5858.