Musical Adaptation of LESS by Jason Robert Brown and Doug Wright In The Works

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 11/1/24 at 4:54pm

At his Carnegie Hall concert on October 25, Jason Robert Brown announced that his newest project is an adaptation of Andrew Sean Greer's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Less, in collaboration with Doug Wright, and previewed a few songs from the show.

I've never read the book before. Anyone familiar? Maybe someone was at Carnegie and heard some of the new material?

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 11/1/24 at 5:19pm

It's a lovely novel that may prove challenging to adapt. A middle-aged author is invited to his ex-boyfriend's wedding. In a mix of grief and panic he cobbles together a book tour as an excuse to avoid the event. He meets quirky characters and has some episodic adventures. But the heart of the book is a look at the challenges gay men face when they age alone. Jason Robert Brown seems an odd choice for this.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 11/1/24 at 5:38pm

Neil Patrick Harris is the age and look of Arthur Less. But he's a bit too savvy and sharp for such a meek, oblivious character. The role is more of a David Hyde Pierce type, from his Curtains era. 

 

EDIT: Jonathan Groff could play it in about 10 years.

Updated On: 11/1/24 at 05:38 PM

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 11/1/24 at 6:43pm

MrsSallyAdams said: "Neil Patrick Harris is the age and look of Arthur Less. But he's a bit too savvy and sharp for such a meek, oblivious character. The role is more of a David Hyde Pierce type, from his Curtainsera.



EDIT: Jonathan Groff could play it in about 10 years."

I heard that Gavin Creel had done some readings prior to his passing.

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 11/1/24 at 7:42pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "At his Carnegie Hall concert on October 25, Jason Robert Brown announced that his newest project is an adaptation of Andrew Sean Greer's Pulitzer Prize-winning novelLess, in collaboration with Doug Wright, and previewed a few songs from the show.

I've never read the book before. Anyone familiar? Maybe someone was at Carnegie and heard some of the new material?"

 I’m in the target demographic for it but found it to be a forgettable novel and have no idea why it won the Pulitzer Prize.  It’s hard to imagine how it could work as a musical — without completely changing the tone of the source material.