Taz, The Shaggs has an original score (by Joy Gregory and Gunnar Madsen) as well as some songs from their lone LP, Philosophy of the World.
The songs from Philosophy of the World were staged in an interesting way: throughout the songs we would sometimes hear the way they really sounded (wretchedly played and sung horribly out of key) and then the song would suddenly shift to how the girls were hearing it (or how Peter Friedman as their father- wonderful performance- was hearing it) and the song would be performed perfectly. It was a cool effect.
Friedman had the best of the original songs, although Annie Golden had a nice song too.
It was more of a struggle to musicalize the sisters- I mean how do you have them express themselves in song when the whole point is that they are tone deaf musicians?
I don't think the musical was completely successful, but it's certainly an interesting story, and Friedman had this fantastic angry mental breakdown 11 O'clock number that I think is worth listening to.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
For those who were asking a while back: I was at closing last night, and the house manager and actors were telling people after the show that a cast album will be recorded next week and released in early November.
Haven't heard much, hope it's out soon. PH is really unpredictable about cast recording releases. Far From Heaven came out fast and The Shagg's took about 2 years.
Asked Playwrights on Twitter and they said “Hopefully before the winter holidays!” So, they must be close to finishing production on it if they are still hoping for some time in the next month or so.
It's unusual for a cast recording to take as long to materialize as THE SHAGGS did. FBN is still very much on track to be released within the next month and a half.
I just received an e-mail saying that they are $5,000 away from their goal – they said they are hoping to raise it within the next month with a January release date. You can donate here: