Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a jukebox bio-musical that attempts to capture the star power of Elvis Presley. The show features impressive performances by Rob Mallett as Presley, with his moves and vocal range on point. The music is excellent, backed by a tight band. The set design by Dan Potra is visually spectacular, reminiscent of a television set or music video. The costumes by Isaac Lummis recreate Presley's iconic looks. However, the book by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti is uninspired and messy, with a toothless narrative that jumps back and forth in time. The show touches on Presley's troubled psyche and his abusive treatment of romantic partners and colleagues, but skirts past uncomfortable truths such as his cultural appropriation and the age gap between him and his wife Priscilla. Overall, Elvis: A Musical Revolution is a joyful and fun celebration of Presley's music, but falls short of offering a deeper portrayal of his life.
On the other hand, Sofia Coppola's biopic of Priscilla Presley, titled 'Priscilla', has received underwhelming reviews. The film is described as a disjointed compilation of a toxic marriage, lacking nuance and failing to delve into the depths of Priscilla's experience. Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi deliver brilliant performances as Priscilla and Elvis, but their talents alone can't save the film from its underwhelming execution and muted aesthetic. The script is criticized for its lack of depth and the film's overall execution falls short of expectations. While 'Elvis: A Musical Revolution' celebrates Presley's music, 'Priscilla' fails to offer a compelling portrayal of Priscilla Presley's life and experiences.
In an interview with TheWrap, Cailee Spaeny, who portrays Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola's film 'Priscilla', revealed that she intentionally ignored other interpretations of Priscilla Presley in order to bring her own perspective to the role. Spaeny wanted to find the humanity behind Priscilla, who is often overshadowed by her famous husband, Elvis Presley. She had the opportunity to speak with the real Priscilla Presley and gain insights into her experiences. The film takes an impressionistic approach, focusing on emotions rather than events. Spaeny also discussed the challenges of filming out of order and portraying Priscilla's emotional arc. She shared anecdotes from the set, including a scene where her co-star, Jacob Elordi, insisted on throwing a chair himself to maintain the scene's momentum. The article also mentions the significance of the final scene, where Priscilla drives away from Graceland, and the use of Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' in the film. Spaeny reflected on the emotional experience of wrapping up the film and working with Sofia Coppola.
Overall, 'Elvis: A Musical Revolution' and 'Priscilla' offer contrasting portrayals of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. While the musical celebrates Elvis's music, it falls short in providing a deeper exploration of his life. On the other hand, Sofia Coppola's biopic of Priscilla Presley fails to offer a compelling portrayal of her life and experiences, lacking nuance and depth. Cailee Spaeny's portrayal of Priscilla in 'Priscilla' aimed to bring a fresh perspective to the role, focusing on the humanity behind the iconic figure. However, the film's execution and script have been criticized for their lack of depth and disjointed nature.
According to a report by Rolling Stone, Ryan Coogler, director of 'Black Panther,' is set to produce a jukebox movie musical based on the music of Prince. The project, which was initially announced in 2018, has taken a step forward with Coogler on board, partnering with his Proximity Media and Universal Pictures. Bryan Edward Hill has already written a draft of the script. No other details, such as the title, director, or actors, have been revealed. Work on the Prince project will begin after Coogler finishes production on his next film, which is set to be released in March 2025. Earlier this year, it was announced that Prince's music would also be adapted into a stage musical.
The new romantic comedy 'Musica' tells the story of a young man who lives with synesthesia, a condition where he has heightened senses and feels music in everything around him. The film is a very personal project for the director, co-writer, composer, and star, Rudy Mancuso. The movie is semi-autobiographical and based on Mancuso's own experiences and perspective. It took a decade of conceptualizing and years of development to bring the story to the screen. The film also stars Camila Mendes and features Rudy's real-life mom, Maria. 'Musica' will begin streaming globally on Prime starting Thursday.
In a video from The New York Times, director and composer Rudy Mancuso narrates a one-shot sequence from his film 'Música'. The sequence is a five-minute oner shot in one take and features a theatrical montage. The scene starts in Rudy's bedroom and reveals that they are on a stage. The scene reflects the chaos in the character's life as he juggles relationships with three people he cares about. The lighting cues in the scene are syncopated to the rhythm of the music. The scene ends where it began, in Rudy's bedroom. The sequence was well-prepared and required clever schematics and coordination with the production designer and director of photography to pull off.
The stage production 'Super Freak: The Rick James Story' opens on June 6, 2024, at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The musical tells the story of Rick James, the King of Punk Funk, and explores his turbulent life, flamboyant stage persona, and popular hits such as 'Give It to Me Baby,' 'Mary Jane,' and 'Super Freak.' The production delves into Rick's internal struggles and wild lifestyle filled with sex, drugs, and music. The show aims to capture the essence of this musical icon and provide audiences with an unforgettable experience.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater has also announced the cast and creative team for the World Premiere of Prelude to a Kiss: A Musical. The musical features a book by Craig Lucas, music by Daniel Messé, and lyrics by Sean Hartley and Daniel Messé. Performances will begin on September 10, 2024, at the Harris Theater at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The cast includes Andrew Montgomery Coleman, Jonathan Gillard Daly, Julie Garnyé, Bella Hicks, Caitlin Houlahan, Chris McCarrell, James Moye, Caroline Pernick, Robert Zelaya, and Karen Ziemba. The creative team includes director Kenneth Ferrone, music director Wiley DeWeese, choreographer Julia Rhoads, set designer Scott Davis, costume designers Linda Cho and Herin Kaputkin, lighting designer Marcus Doshi, sound designer Andrea Allmond, projection designer Yee Eun Nam, orchestrator Greg Pliska, and dramaturg Andy Knight. The production is presented by David Kundert with corporate sponsor BMO Harris and is a co-production with South Coast Repertory.