Almost Famous (musical)

Last updated
Almost Famous
The Musical
Almost Famous broadway.jpg
Broadway promotional poster
Music Tom Kitt
Lyrics
Book Cameron Crowe
Basis Almost Famous
by Cameron Crowe
PremiereSeptember 27, 2019: The Old Globe, San Diego
Productions

Almost Famous is a 2019 stage musical with music by Tom Kitt, lyrics by Cameron Crowe and Kitt, and a book by Crowe. It is based on the 2000 film of the same name written and directed by Crowe.

Contents

The musical is about a teenager who becomes a journalist for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970s, based loosely on Crowe's life. The show debuted in San Diego at The Old Globe in 2019, with previews beginning on September 13 and a premiere on September 27. It ran through October 27. [1] Creative work continued during the COVID-19 shutdown. [2] [3] Like the film, the musical begins in the San Diego, California home of the Miller family, progresses to the San Francisco offices of Rolling Stone magazine, and then travels through the United States on tour with the band Stillwater. [4]

The Broadway production began previews on October 3, 2022, and opened November 3, 2022 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre to mainly negative reviews. [5] [6] On December 19, it was announced that the show would close on January 8, 2023, after 30 previews and 77 performances. [7] Despite the poor reception, it received a nomination for Best Original Score at the 76th Tony Awards. [8]

In November 2023, Tom Kitt and Cameron Crowe reentered the development stage of their musical adaptation of Almost Famous with a residency at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Public readings of the workshop were given on November 11, 15, and 18 at 7 PM at the Waterford, Connecticut, venue. [9]

Cast and characters

CharacterSan Diego [10] Broadway [11]
20192022
William Miller Casey Likes
Penny Lane Solea Pfeiffer
Russell Hammond Colin Donnell Chris Wood
Elaine Miller Anika Larsen
Jeff Bebe Drew Gehling
Lester Bangs Rob Colletti
Anita MillerEmily Schultheis
DarrylDaniel Sovich
David FeltonVan Hughes
EstrellaJulia Cassandra
SapphireKatie Ladner
PolexiaStorm LeverJana Djenne Jackson
Larry FellowsMatt Bittner
Silent EdBrandon Contreras
Dick Roswell Gerard Canonico
Ben Fong-Torres Matthew C. Yee
Vic NettlesChad Burris
Dennis HopeSam GravitteJakeim Hart
LeslieLibby Winters

Musical numbers

Source: Playbill [12]


†Not on Original Broadway Cast Recording
‡Written for the film by Nancy Wilson
+Included as bonus track on cast album, along with "Anything's Possible" sung by Solea Pfeiffer

Awards and nominations

2022 Broadway production

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2023 Tony Awards Best Original Score Tom Kitt and Cameron Crowe Nominated
Drama Desk Awards [13] Outstanding Music Tom Kitt, AnnMarie Milazzo (vocal designer)Nominated
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical Peter Hylenski Nominated
Outstanding Wig and HairCampbell Young AssociatesNominated
Theatre World Award [14] Casey Likes Honoree

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References

  1. ↑ Hetrick, Adam (2019-09-27). "World Premiere Musical Adaptation of Almost Famous Opens at the Old Globe September 27". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  2. ↑ Paulson, Michael (2022-06-02). "'Almost Famous,' Now a Musical, Will Open on Broadway This Fall". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  3. ↑ Messman, Lauren (2019-04-26). "'Almost Famous' Musical to Open in San Diego". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  4. ↑ Charles McNulty (September 29, 2019). "Review: In the 'Almost Famous' musical, Cameron Crowe's coming-of-age rock tale burns bright".
  5. ↑ "DidTheyLikeIt - Almost Famous". DidTheyLikeIt. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ Evans, Greg (2022-07-07). "'Almost Famous' Musical Sets New Broadway Opening Date, Lands Venue".
  7. ↑ Huston, Caitlin (December 19, 2022). "'Almost Famous' to Close on Broadway in January". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  8. ↑ Sherman, Rachel (May 2, 2023). "Tony Awards Nominations 2023: The Complete List". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ Dorsey, Kristina. "A new 'Almost Famous': Cameron Crowe and Tom Kitt bring musical to O'Neill in Waterford". www.theday.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  10. ↑ "Almost Famous Cast in San Diego" (PDF). theoldglobe.org. The Old Globe. September 13, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Almost Famous Cast on Broadway". playbill.com. Playbill Vault. November 3, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Almost Famous (Broadway, Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 2021)". Playbill. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Shucked, Some Like It Hot Lead 2023 Drama Desk Award Nominations". 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  14. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Julie Benko, Jodie Comer & More Will Receive 2023 Theatre World Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
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