 |
Why Oregon? |
| I wanted to return to my theatrical roots when we decided to try to push the envelope with “Z, The Masked Musical”. We are continuing to expand the blending of Spanish lyrics and dialogue throughout the show. Like a harmony line that hugs the third above the melody, we want to lace the show with counterpart lines and lyrics. That has never been done in a “Main Stream” theatrical show. We are also trying to blend the humor (and there is a lot of comedy in the show), into the darker sensuality of the Latin style of Flamenco theater. We will keep striving to create a duality of sound in the score using the mariachi style for the farmers and commoner characters, and more classical, symphonic, Spanish music, in the tradition of De Falla, for the noble-born characters. The costumes are going to be very vibrant against the sleek, stylized sets, and a great deal of the look will be controlled through lighting. We want the type of look that Fosse & Bennett pioneered with designers like Robin Wagner and Tony Walton. For an author and composer mounting a new show, it is all about creatively collaborating with your Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, and Set designer, to create the concept you are trying to achieve. Then, you rework dialogue and vocal lines around the talent, and make it touch and move the audience. That takes a great deal of trust on all sides, and the ability to have an easy and often long distance communication with each other. Eugene is home to my psyche and my sense of art and music, and these are the people that helped to mold my tastes and way of thinking. There is no better place in the world for me to shape my new show. | |
