New Duncan Sheik Musical, WHISPER HOUSE

[HarryPotter01]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 9:06pm

I'm totally excited about this new musical! Keith Powell, who plays "Toofer" on "30 Rock", is directing the new Duncan Sheik musical. There's a hilarious video about it on youtube that I dig quite a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEzVhlY6BHY

HILARIOUS!
30 Rock's Keith Powell Directs a Play

[bwayfan9]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 9:07pm

what's been going on with Nero

[HarryPotter01]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 9:20pm

Not sure what's up with NERO. Maybe it's the same project, renamed? Not sure... How are things at SPRING AWAKENING these days? Anyone seen it recently?

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 9:39pm

Is this the show that Idina Menzel is supposed to be in? She talked about being in "the new Duncan Sheik show" when I saw her in concert.

[HarryPotter01]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 9:56pm

So, I did a bit of investigating. There was a reading of NERO at Vassar over the summer. Not sure what's happening with it, but it is a different show. Not sure if Idina is in this piece. I believe she may be.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 10:34pm

I went to NERO over the summer, and it is DEFINITELY not Whisper House. It's odd that they aren't pursuing the show, it seemed almost complete in terms of script and music. Huh. And yes, that is the show Idina was in (and she was guh-reat, and I'm not an Idina lover). I love Spring Awakening, so i'm interested.

[zepka102]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 10:49pm

I'll agree that Idina was amazing in the workshop, but I felt the script still had a lot of work that needed to be done on it. I hope it comes back though and she's involved... it's the perfect role for her.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 10:59pm

I guess Sheik just likes having multiple shows going at the same time.

[HarryPotter01]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:04pm

Guess he does. And, frankly, that's a good thing. The problem with the theatre isn't good writers writing getting too many shows produced -- OR good actors having waaaay too much work, you know?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:22pm

I'm not sure what you just said, but yes, I agree.

[HarryPotter01]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:26pm

Sorry, typo. My brain moves faster than the fingers.

I meant to say that while some of us can get down on fokls who try to have several projects going on at once, it's not actually a bad thing. The problem with the theatre isn't good writers having too many of their shows produced -- NOR is the problem that good actors have an exponential number of shows in which to show their work.

Anyway, I think the video is hilarious...lol...

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:34pm

And also, the new Sater/Sheik "The Nightingale", was apparently in the works and possibly up for production at American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco (2009-2010 season).

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 1/28/09 at 10:17pm

The studio album for Whisper House is now available from your popular online stores. The songs are hauntingly wonderful. The book has potentials (ghosts and all). Can't wait for its Broadway bow.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/28/09 at 10:30pm

yes, he has 3 different show in process.

If i remember correctly, both Nero and Nightengale are with Stephen Sater; while Whisper House is all his.

I'm waiting for the cd, and I'll be seeing him on tour with Lauren Pritchard.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 1/28/09 at 10:32pm

I sampled the cd and it sounds pretty good.. but that may just be the case that its good on cd but not good for a show

And Idina sang a song from Nero at her concert in Richmond this summer and I was not impressed at all. It was pretty much a boring song and not very creative

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/28/09 at 11:32pm

Well I hope this new show makes more sense than "Purple Summer." I mean, wtf?

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 1/29/09 at 1:07pm

Wow, Duncan Sheik sounded rather ambivalent about writing a broaway show in interviews... and now 3 more in the works?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 12:20am

He also said in another video that he wanted to continue writing for Broadway if we'd "have him". I find it odd that everyone seems to know about Whisper House being produced at the Delaware Theater Company, yet their website is still keeping it "secret" with the final show of the season not yet announced.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 3:15am

Tony Awards change people.

[matty159]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 8:44pm

I agree with pianolin...got the disc today and it is very enjoyable. Of the ten tracks, I have only found myself not really disliking any of them. Now, that being said, I have been a fan of Duncan Sheik since he first arrived on the scene and have enjoyed watching him evolve as an artist. But as pianolin said, it may be executed better by Sheik on this disc than as a fleshed out show.

If anyone is contemplating buying it...buy the physical disc. The packaging and the booklet make it worth it. I am currently in a rut listening to the final track, "Take A Bow."

If this disc gives a glimmer into what it could be as a show, my curiousity is definitely aroused.

And RentBoy...it makes more sense than "Purple Summer"...at least from what I can tell!

Updated On: 1/30/09 at 08:44 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 9:12pm

Does the actual CD not have "The Ghost in You"? Itunes has 11 tracks, but I think the digital booklet is missing some pages. The synopsis isn't cohesive.

[matty159]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 9:22pm

The actual disc doesn't have the bonus track...that is an iTunes exclusive.

And I think the book is supposed to be incohesive...with each opposing page loosely matching the song...and the words getting more blurred as you get to the end. The book through me off at first...actually, it was one of those moments where I was looking at the page numbers and thought I got screwed by Barnes and Noble or the disc distributor. Then...I caught on. Sometimes I am a little slow!

[matty159]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 9:26pm

And now that I like it so much, despite my love for the real discs and booklets, I wish I had downloaded it for the bonus track! How is "The Ghost In You" in comparison with the rest of the score?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 9:46pm

I like it a lot, they should have included it on the CD.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 12:54am

It's official! The Old Globe in San Diego announced that it will stage the world premiere production of The Whisper House.

Whisper House
World Premiere
Music and Lyrics by Duncan Sheik
Book and Lyrics by Kyle Jarrow
Directed by Keith Powell
Jan.13?Feb. 21, 2010
Old Globe Theatre
"[An] enchanting new musical. Set in 1942 during the height of World War II, Americans are being asked to do their part to help their country win the war, including Lily and her Japanese assistant, the caretakers of a remote lighthouse. When Lily's young nephew Christopher comes to stay with her, he begins to think his new home is haunted. When the spirits reveal themselves to Christopher, he is required to grow up quickly and make decisions that are usually left up to grownups. Should he trust these mischievous spirits whose songs only he can hear or should he trust the grownups around him that still treat him like a kid? This beautiful tale reminds us all that fear and misguided assumptions can lead anyone down a road of no return."


Playbill Article