The Canadian Premiere of Adam Guettel's Myths and Hymns will replace the previously announced Rob Roy (In Concert) in Talk Is Free Theatre's (TIFT) current season. There will be a limited three- performance run at Gryphon Theatre in Barrie on March 25 and 26, 2009.
Originally produced in the U.S. by the Public Theater in 1998, Myths and Hymns interweaves stories from Greek mythology with lyrics from a 1886 Presbyterian hymnal. The resulting modern-day song cycle journeys from the spare classicism of 19th century New England Puritanism through romantic art song to Latin, gospel and R&B. The songs explore personal yet universal preoccupations: ambition, death, the breakdown of relationships and notions of heaven and hell. The songs range from electronic jazz and piano ballads to musical theatre.Along with Myths and Hymns Adam Guettel's earlier works include Floyd Collins and Love's Fire, but he is best known for The Light in the Piazza, for which he won a Tony Award. Mr. Guettel's music was almost immediately characterized by its complexity and use of various strings.Mr. Guettel is the son of Mary Rodgers and grandson of Pulitzer Prize winning musical theatre composer Richard Rodgers.Photo: Adam Guettel by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
Videos