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'Messiah' travels to the US
18/07/2008 07:47 - (SA)
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| Comedy legend Eric Idle will bring his new production to the US. (AP) |
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Los Angeles - In Eric Idle's world, a leaf blower is part of the orchestra.
The Monty Python star and Spamalot writer is bringing his silliness back to the stage with Not the Messiah, a musical comedy hodgepodge that features a full orchestra and the occasional leaf blower.
"Musically we've put it in," Idle said.
After putting on the production in Toronto and Sydney, Australia, (and a one-off performance in upstate New York), Idle and composer-conductor John Du Prez are bringing the show to the US for a limited run.
Not the Messiah gives a musical stage treatment to Life of Brian the way Spamalot did for Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
"In many ways, Spamalot made it possible for us to do this sort of thing," Idle said. "People take us seriously that we'll put it on, but also it means that we're not so obsessed, we don't have to make a fortune out of it, we can just make it work for its own cost."
Bagpipe band, miners' helmets and 'doo-wop'
Backed by a 104-piece orchestra, Idle and his comedic crew will perform Not the Messiah at Wolf Trap National Park in Vienna, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; and the Mann Centre for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
The Los Angeles show will also feature fireworks and a 32-member bagpipe band, Idle said.
The 65-year-old actor, writer and composer, who has crafted more than 300 comedic songs over the past 30 years, said he's always been moved to set his comedy to music.
"Orchestras and choirs - love it," he added. "They don't often get to wear miners' helmets and do doo-wop." - Bang Showbiz.com
- AP
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