AMERICAN DUET

[mleshawn]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 1:54pm

Anyone have anymore details on the following?

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=513001

Here's the snippet from the top link.....

—Still looking for a theater is American Duet, to be headlined by Darius Rucker of the chart-topping rock band Hootie and the Blowfish. American Duet, which is also expected to feature Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent), was co-written by Marcus Hummon and Bill Feehely (who will also helm the production) and has been kicking around since 1998 when it premiered at Nashville's Actors Bridge Ensemble. The show contrasts the story of two musicians: a black artist who breaks down racial barriers at The Grand Ole Opry and a white singer with African roots.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 2:16pm

Grand Ole Opry for Hootie? Good, he can get some more use out of that ridiculous outfit from the Burger King commercial.

[mleshawn]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 2:38pm

What a lovely response
Updated On: 6/4/05 at 02:38 PM

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 3:09pm

The music is SPEC-TAC-U-LAR! However, the script is absolute sh*t.
And that's an incredible shame because the premise is very intriguing.

Updated On: 6/4/05 at 03:09 PM

[mleshawn]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 3:39pm

B.B. - Based on everything you know do you think its fixable?. Take the foundation and build from that.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 6/4/05 at 11:29pm

Absolutely. As I said, great premise. But, it'll take someone really editting the script down and cutting down the contrivances. One of the biggest problems is that the two characters are supposedly doing this "concert" together in South Africa (why South Africa? Never explained) after meeting in an incredibly ridiculous and contrived way. The problem is that the black country singer grew up in the 50's and all of his scenes take place in the 50's when he's young, and the white African singer takes place in modern times. And there is absolutely NO mention of their age difference or really even WHY they're putting this show on together. A simple fix would be to have the two characters communicate and do this "concert" in a metaphysical way. Come on, it is theatre after all. Or better yet, there's no need to draw any correlation between the two characters AT ALL. The audience has already done that for you. The two stories can exist on the same stage and they can sing duets and everything and I don't think the audience would care. Those are some simple fixes (and many small others must be made) that would allow this great music to be heard. It would also bring new, talented songwriting blood into New York theatre, which we can all agree is a good thing.

[mleshawn]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:22pm

Wow B.B. Thanks for such an intelligent answer. I hope you are working in theatre. Its frustrating to see shows that have such great promise close because problems that should be and could be fixed.

[ReNtHeAd04]

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:29pm

did i read jeremy? - hehehe

[mleshawn]

Posted: 6/8/05 at 11:45am

Jeremy Kushnier was involved in the reading for American Duet in February 2004. I am not sure what "expected to feature" means.

[adamnyc]

Posted: 6/8/05 at 11:49am

premise is promising