The New York Times has the story online about the premiere of the musical version of Seattle resident/Stranger editor/Savage Love sex columnist/gay curmudgeon Dan Savage’s 1999 memoir, The Kid, which details the efforts of Dan and his partner Terry to adopt a baby. Optioned by librettist Michael Zam with music by Andy Monroe, lyrics by Jack Lechner and direction by Scott Elliot, the show has been years in the making but finally comes to the stage on Monday, May 10 at the New Group Theater at Theater Row in New York City. In the interview, Mr Zam says of the creation process:
“We also wanted to create a musical that was true to the experiences of Dan Savage and his partner, Terry, capture the essence of who they were, without just imposing our own plot and music on their lives,” Mr. Zam said in a recent interview. “But it was also thrilling to create a show around a person who is not your standard role-model character, who is insightful about his foibles and admits to them and who has all these powerful emotions that we knew — somehow — could be turned into powerful songs.”
The musical stars Tony nominee, (last seen in Seattle as the title character in Shrek: The Musical) Christopher Sieber as Dan, and Lucas Steele as Terry and L.A. Law star Jill Eikenberry as Dan’s mom. Sieber, a terrific actor, seems an odd choice to play Dan, since Sieber can best be described as a “husky” fellow and Dan is a bit of a fatophobe, but Steele as Terry is spot-on casting; there’s a very strong resemblance between actor and his subject. And, according to the Times, Dan, Terry and their now 12 year old son D.J. will be at the premiere.
The best of luck to everyone in the show, but the real $10,000,000 question is, how long before Seattle sees a production of this show? Inquiring minds, want to know…
Photo Credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times. Pictured: Lucas Steele, left, and Christopher Sieber
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
