At a time when the political machines really are taking over, along comes the new future-shock musical, The Freedom Machine, with Story and Book by Larry Carpenter, and Music and Lyrics by Shane Alexander. Act One of The Freedom Machine will have four stage readings in Los Angeles, today, August 9-13.
Set in a dystopian American society 35 years into the future, the rock musical follows the story of "Shane," a radical kid-rocker who was rescued as an orphan by an eccentric computer genius. Together, they live off the grid in a dangerous under-society, collecting other damaged and abandoned children into their family and becoming the rock band The Freedom Machine-a cell of young insurgents whose civil disobedience and rock and roll protest ignite a peoples' revolt- and in the process exposes a corrupt online vote. The band must restore a true democratic process, and ultimately find their way back home.
Writer and Director
Larry Carpenter views The Freedom Machine as an opportunity for theatrical investigation of the rapidly-increasing issues surrounding governmental use of technology.
"The Freedom Machine is a very personal response to how our dysfunctional political system is combining with our increasingly wired society," Carpenter said. "I see a gap between our fantastical obsession with online worlds - and our ignorance of serious government dysfunction in the real world." He went on, "It scares me-so I had to write about it."
Tony-nominated Carpenter (Starmites), who has also won numerous Emmy awards, had been looking for a collaborator to develop this idea. A colleague gave him a collection of indie rocker Shane Alexander's songs and Carpenter knew his story had found its musical voice.
"Shane Alexander is a wonderful singer-songwriter, a poet and an individualist. He is not afraid to dig into serious issues of the heart." Carpenter observed. "Nor is he afraid to look at a damaged society and call is seriously wrong. I'm lucky to have found him."
Alexander's songs range from dark and stirring to subtle and romantic, and are centered around evocative vocals and complex, soulful guitar playing. His smooth vocal style has drawn comparisons to singers Jeff Buckley, Jackson Brown and
Art Garfunkel. Dozens of his songs have appeared on television shows, including The Real World, Laguna Beach, Brothers & Sisters, Bones, Big Shots, White Collar, Criminal Minds, and Wildfire.
Although this is Alexander's first foray into musical theatre, Carpenter sees a future for him: "[Shane] will no doubt be a serious new voice the ever-evolving American musical theatre landscape."
The Freedom Machine cast is led by Matthew Magnusson in the role of "Shane," with Michelle Haro,
Charlie Lubeck,
Micaela Martinez, Travis Leland, and
Zach Villa playing the rest of the underground rock band.
Phillip Brandon,
Nikki Crawford,
Gordon Goodman, Jonathon Grant, John J. Joseph, Larry Poindexter,
Alyssa Simmons, and
Sabrina Sloan round out the cast.
David O is the Music Director for The Freedom Machine, with casting by
Michael Donovan. PixelFLEXis the production sponsor.
All readings of The Freedom Machine are free and will be presented at 730p on August 9, 10, 12 and 13 at NoHoPAC, 11020 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601. To RSVP, email thefreedommachine@gmail.com, and check out The Freedom Machine on Facebook.
