 |
These are the messages that have been posted on inthe00s over the past few years.
Check out the messageboard archive index for a complete list of topic areas.
This archive is periodically refreshed with the latest messages from the current messageboard.
This is a topic from the The 1980's forum on inthe00s.
Check for new replies or respond here...
Subject: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: woops on 01/26/07 at 5:34 pm
Something interesting I found...
Starlight meets -- Deborah Gibson?
Here's a story nobody expected (well, hardly anybody) -- a new musical coming out of the Starlight Theater, and that musical based on the songs of Deborah Gibson.
Electric Youth will open at the Starlight May 5. The writer is Dean Parker, brother to Dori and Drew Parker, the Starlight's owners.
It seems that Gibson has given Dean Parker permission to use her hits from the 1980s. And, Dori Parker says, while Gibson won't be onstage, she's "expressed interest in being a part of our process."
The details I know so far are from the Myspace site of a Los Angeles guy named Jayson Stonne. I'm not sure what his connection is to the project, but here's what he has to say:
In May, 2007, Starlight Theater will be the first in the world to showcase a brand-new musical comedy called Electric Youth. The show is a two-act play highlighted by the 1980s pop chart hits of Debbie Gibson. Much like what the Broadway smash Mamma Mia! has done with ABBA's songs, Electric Youth encompasses the best-known songs of a music icon within the framework of a theme-related comedy script.
The story follows the adventures of a young couple from New York City named Randy and Tasha, who are recently engaged. The duo travel to the rural community of Fern Hill, Minnesota, to announce the news to Randy's parents. Upon their arrival, Randy and Tasha discover that Fern Hill is facing bankruptcy, and that the Wilsons are in danger of losing their farm, thanks to the mean-spirited machinations of wealthy town spinster, Emma Van Horn. Randy and Tasha, because of their experience working in a bank, hatch a plan to restore Fern Hill's economy by creating more places in the sleepy town for its local teens to frequent.
When Emma hears of their plans, she convinces her nephew, Keith, a more underhanded specimen than she is, to find out the specifics, so she can thwart Tasha and Randy's efforts. Keith finds just such an opportunity when he learns that Randy's younger sister, Kris, has been harboring a secret crush on him, and uses this to his full advantage. When Keith meets Tasha, however, he in turn falls madly in love with her, and schemes to drive her and Randy apart.
How Tasha and Randy find their way back to each other, outwit Emma and Keith, and save Fern Hill, is the premise that drives the story of Electric Youth. The musical will feature fourteen of Debbie Gibson's most-loved songs, including "Electric Youth," "Out of the Blue," "Only in My Dreams," and "Lost in Your Eyes."
Debbie Gibson emerged as a music protege at the age of four, becoming the youngest recording artist ever to write, sing, and produce all of her own songs. To date, her albums have sold over 16 million copies in the United States and abroad. Now known world-wide as Deborah Gibson, the former teen recording artist went on to a very successful career on Broadway, starring in such hit musicals as Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, and Cabaret.
On television, she has been seen on Fox's Skating With Celebrities and The Tony Danza Show. Deborah recently wrote the music and lyrics for two other original musicals, Skirts and The Flunky. Both are currently in pre-production and slated to hit Broadway in the coming year.
The book for Electric Youth: the Musical is the brainchild of Los Angeles-based scriptwriter Dean Parker, who sent his script to Gibson last summer. After reading it, Deborah commented that the script was clever, referring to the placement of her songs within the story, and granted Parker permission to use her music in his show.
The world premiere of Electric Youth is slated to run May 5-13, 2007, at the Starlight Theater, 3376 Edgewater Drive, in Orlando, Florida. Tickets will go on sale later next month. Talent auditions for the show are by appointment only, and will be held on February 19th and 20th at the Starlight.
For more information, call (407) 843-6275, or log onto www.starlightorlando.com.
I don't know that I'd called Deborah Gibson a "music icon," but I'm not the age group they're looking at.
This is the first I'd heard that she has two shows opening on Broadway next year. (I'll believe that when I see it.)
And I hope I understand that very complicated story!
Nonetheless, this sounds like a project to watch. I admit -- I wouldn't know Debbie Gibson if I tripped over her. But I'm curious.
Subject: Re: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: whistledog on 01/26/07 at 6:00 pm
It worked for Abba (Mamma Mia: The Musical) and Billy Joel (Big Shot: The Musical), so you never know. This could be a HUGE hit
Subject: Re: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: JamieMcBain on 01/26/07 at 9:32 pm
Sounds intersting.
Subject: Re: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: JamieMcBain on 01/26/07 at 9:44 pm
It worked for Abba (Mamma Mia: The Musical) and Billy Joel (Big Shot: The Musical), so you never know. This could be a HUGE hit
The Billy Joel musical is called Moving Out, and it was a big hit.
The Who had had a hit musical called Tommy.
Queen also have one called We Will Rock You.
So anything is possible.
Subject: Re: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: whistledog on 01/26/07 at 10:11 pm
The Billy Joel musical is called Moving Out, and it was a big hit.
The Who had had a hit musical called Tommy.
Queen also have one called We Will Rock You.
So anything is possible.
Ah yes Moving Out. I got confused. In the promos for it, the cast is singing Big Shot. lol
Subject: Re: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: woops on 01/26/07 at 10:22 pm
So anything is possible.
Ironically "Anything Is Possible" is the title of Deb's third album :) :D
Subject: Re: Electric Youth, new musical based on Deborah Gibson
Written By: JamieMcBain on 01/27/07 at 12:06 pm
I kind of knew that... ;D