Posted: 6/12/25 at 1:54pm
I am sure someone has thought of this already. But Brian Wilson's story would make one outstanding jukebox musical. Any musical writers in the house agree?
Posted: 6/12/25 at 2:29pm
Wilson is the rare musician whose life story actually IS interesting enough to make a good biopic, and "Love and Mercy" demonstrates it. The dual narrative structure of young Brian discovering his genius but coming apart, juxtaposed with middle-aged Brian gradually breaking free of his tyrannical doctor, feels like the best or most worthwhile way to tell that story, on film or onstage.
Posted: 6/12/25 at 5:45pm
I agree that Love and Mercy is a terrific film, and I could not imagine Brian Wilson's story being told any better than it was in that film. However, there is no end to the number of compelling stories that could come out of that era of music. There is a short documentary on YouTube about Steve Goodman (composer of City of New Orleans), and much of it is devoted to accounts by Kris Kristofferson and John Prine of this magic night that catapulted the careers of both Goodman and Prine. I've watched that documentary a number of times, and every time I see it, I think of how great it would be if the right people could adapt the story of that one night to the stage. The idea of combining the story of the unique brotherhood between Goodman and and Prine with their brilliant music, as they navigate the Chicago music scene at time, with a backdrop of familiar names like Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Arlo Guthrie and even Paul Anka.....well, it just seems like a story that needs to be told on stage.
My point is that the great stage adaptations are not likely to be found in stories about people whose stories have been told many times before. There are some really great opportunities for storytelling lurking just beneath the surface of the music legends. People who are the legends we didn't know about.
I'll just maintain a sliver of hope that it will happen one day, hopefully while Alex Brightman is still young enough to play Steve Goodman.
Posted: 6/12/25 at 6:28pm
"Wilson is the rare musician whose life story actually IS interesting enough to make a good biopic, and "Love and Mercy" demonstrates it. The dual narrative structure of young Brian discovering his genius but coming apart, juxtaposed with middle-aged Brian gradually breaking free of his tyrannical doctor, feels like the best or most worthwhile way to tell that story, on film or onstage."
Totally agree. I think stage adaptation of "Love and Mercy" could be a powerful evening of theater with some wonderful music (Pet Sounds etc.). You could pretty much dedicate Act One to the 1960's and Act Two could tell the story of Brian's life from the 1980's until his brief "Beach Boy reunion tour.
Posted: 6/12/25 at 7:05pm
I think it’s the cutting back and forth that gives it much of its power: we are as unmoored in time as Brian Wilson has become.
Posted: 6/12/25 at 8:46pm
It's also one of the new musician biopics that really digs in to the process of assembling an album musically there's a whole section on Brian Wilson finding the right backing musicians!
That part might be difficult to translate to the stage, but I'd love to see someone try.
