The Alchemy Theatre, who specialize in staging worthy-but-forgotten musicals, produces a new version of the 1978 anti-war musical 'King of Hearts.'
Arts Eclectic turns the spotlight on happenings in the arts and culture scene in and around the Austin area. Through interviews with local musicians, dancers, singers, and artists, Arts Eclectic aims to bring locals to the forefront and highlight community cultural events.Support for Arts Eclectic comes from Broadway Bank., a 1978 musical by Joseph Stein, Jacob Brackman, and Peter Link, based on a 1966 French film of the same name.
“It's not that we aim to do that,” says Alchemy artistic director Michael Cooper. “It's just that the Alchemy has a curiosity about musicals that suddenly get lost along the way or don't make it for some reason, but still have great redeeming qualities to them. And basically, the score is gorgeous. It's a beautiful score and it has very powerful themes within the storyline and that fits within the Alchemy goals and vision.”,” says producer Marnie Near.
“I just rewatched in advance of talking about it because I hadn't seen it in probably a couple of decades,” says film historian Lars Nilsen. “ was a young filmmaker at the time, Philippe de Broca, one of those French filmmakers who was very prolific, made a lot of high-quality work but wasn't necessarily all that well known – still not all that well known, in keeping with the nature of what Alchemy Theatre does with their rehab projects for musicals.
The movie, Nilsen says, wasn’t much of a hit in Europe but somewhat surprisingly became something of a cult hit in the US a few years after its initial release. “It was a really giant cult arthouse hit that ran for – in one theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts – ran for four years. But it really struck a nerve because it has an anti-war theme, particularly an Anti-Vietnam War theme, even though it's a movie that's set in the waning days of World War One. And audiences really got it.
“I'm hoping that audiences take away the themes that are presented in this and also have a great time. It's exciting theatrically because we get to play – me as a director, actors who are acting and singing this – we get to play with reality versus non reality, insanity versus sanity, you know, who's insane and who's not insane. And there is a lot of humor inherent in that and it does come out.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Austin's Alchemy Theatre sprinkles magical love in 'King of Hearts' productionAustin's theatre scene is set to be enchanted by the whimsical love story of 'King of Hearts,' presented by The Alchemy Theatre Company.
Read more »
King Kong's Iconic Empire State Building Scene In Peter Jackson's Movie Gets Low Accuracy Score From Primate ExpertKing Kong looking stoic next to King Kong roaring in King Kong 2005
Read more »
Theatre Review: Bottle Alley Theatre Company’s AuroraThis alien exploration works as a play and an encapsulation of what makes Austin special
Read more »
State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine to perform Swan Lake at Mobile Saenger TheatreThe State Ballet Theatre Of Ukraine to perform “Swan Lake” at the Mobile Saenger Theatre on Tuesday, January 7 at 7:30pmTickets go on sale Friday May 3 at 10 a.
Read more »
Puerto Rican nationalist's story to be retold with a drag twist in Moxie's 'Notes'The play is being produced by Moxie Theatre, in association with Diversionary Theatre
Read more »
Gunther Crowned King at WWE King and Queen of the RingGunther defeated Randy Orton to become the 2024 King of the Ring.
Read more »