American Psycho (musical)

American Psycho: The Musical

Original London Production Poster
Music Duncan Sheik
Lyrics Duncan Sheik
Book Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Basis American Psycho
by Bret Easton Ellis
Premiere 12 December 2013 (2013-12-12): Almeida Theatre
Productions 2013 London
2016 Broadway

American Psycho is a musical with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. It is based on the controversial 1991 novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis,[1] which also inspired a 2000 film of the same name, which starred Christian Bale. Set in Manhattan during the Wall Street boom of the late 1980s, American Psycho is about the daily life of wealthy young investment banker Patrick Bateman.

The musical received its world premiere at London's Almeida Theatre in 2013, directed by Rupert Goold and starred Doctor Who actor Matt Smith. A Broadway production began preview performances on 24 March 2016, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, directed by Goold and starring Benjamin Walker as Patrick Bateman.

Background

The basis of the musical is the 1991 novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.[2][3] In 2008, producers David Johnson, Jesse Singer, Nate Bolotin and Aaron Ray purchased the stage rights[4] and were developing a musical adaptation of the novel to appear on Broadway.[5] In 2010, it was revealed that the project had rounded out the key elements. Duncan Sheik, who won a Grammy and two Tony Awards, for writing the songs in the Broadway hit, Spring Awakening, and playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa had completed the first act.[6][7] A workshop took place in Manhattan in 2011, with Benjamin Walker playing the lead role of Patrick Bateman.[8] In April 2012, it was announced that London theatre company Headlong would stage the musical's world premiere[9] during their 2012-13 season.[10] At the same time a Kickstarter campaign was launched to raise $150,000,[11] to allow them to have a live orchestra and extend the rehearsal period for the production to seven weeks.[12]

Production history

American Psycho began previews on 3 December 2013,[13] at the Almeida Theatre, London,[14] before holding its official opening night on 12 December,[15] with booking initially until 25 January,[16] but later extended[17] by a week to 1 February 2014, when it closed.[18] The show has a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa[19] with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik[20] and is directed by Rupert Goold,[21] with choreography by Lynne Page, set design by Es Devlin, lighting design by Jon Clark, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, video by Finn Ross, musical direction by David Shrubsole and sound by Paul Arditti.[22] Tickets for the world premiere production sold out.[23] Notable casting for the show included Matt Smith as Patrick Bateman, Susannah Fielding as Evelyn Williams, Jonathan Bailey as Tim Price, Ben Aldridge as Paul Owen and Lucie Jones as Victoria.[24][25] A typical London performance ran 2hrs 40mins, including one interval of 20 mins.[26]

Following its premiere production a workshop of the musical was held in January 2015, in New York City.[27] On 23 July 2015, it was announced that the musical would open on Broadway on 21 March 2016, following previews from 19 February at a yet unknown Shubert theater.[28] Lead casting will include Benjamin Walker in the lead role of Patrick Bateman [29] reprising his role from the 2011 workshop.[8] On 30 September 2015, it was announced that the musical would open at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, and would begin previews over a month later than originally planned,[30] on 24 March 2016.[31] On November 9th, 2015, it was announced that Tony Award winner Alice Ripley will join the cast as Patrick Bateman's mother and Mrs. Wolfe, along with Tony Award nominee Jennifer Damiano as Jean, and Helene Yorke as Evelyn Williams. Damiano previously worked with Shiek in the original production of Spring Awakening on Broadway, as well as with co-starring opposite Ripley as Mother and Daughter in the original production of Next to Normal.

Musical numbers

Sheik's music features an original electronic score, with extracts from 1980s songs in-between.[32] The London cast album was released in March 2016.[33]

London

Act I[34]
Act II[34]
  • "Clean" (reprise)
  • "Killing Spree"
  • "A Nice Thought"
  • "End of An Island"
  • "I Am Back"
  • "Don't You Want Me"
  • "A Girl Before"
  • "This Is Not an Exit"

Broadway

Act I[35]
  • "Opening (Morning Routine)" - Patrick Bateman
  • "Selling Out" - Bateman and Company
  • "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Jean and Company
  • "Cards" - Paul Owen, Bateman, Timothy Price, David Van Patten, Craig McDermott, and Luis Carruthers
  • "You Are What You Wear" - Evelyn Williams, Courtney Lawrence, and Women
  • "True Faith" - Vanden and Company
  • "Killing Time" - Bateman and Price
  • "In The Air Tonight" - Women Soloists and Company
  • "Hardbody" - Hardbody Trainer, McDermott, Van Patten, Carruthers and Men
  • "You Are What You Wear" (reprise)
  • "If We Get Married" - Evelyn, Bateman, Jean
  • "Not A Common Man" - Bateman
  • "Mistletoe Alert" - Evelyn, Bateman, and Company
  • "Hip To Be Square" - Bateman and Paul
Act II[35]
  • "Killing Spree" - Bateman
  • "Nice Thought" - Mrs. Bateman, Jean, and Women
  • "At The End Of An Island" - Evelyn, Bateman, and Company
  • "I Am Back" - Bateman and Company
  • "You Are What You Wear" (reprise)
  • "A Girl Before" - Jean
  • "Clean" - Company
  • "Don't You Want Me" - Paul, Price, and Company
  • "This Is Not An Exit" - Bateman and Company

Principal roles and cast members

Character Original London actor[25][36] Original Broadway actor[37]
Patrick Bateman Matt Smith[38] Benjamin Walker
Paul Owen Ben Aldridge Drew Moerlein
Vanden does not appear Krystina Alabado
Craig McDermott/ ATM/ Tom Cruise Charlie Anson Alex Michael Stoll
Tim Price Jonathan Bailey Theo Stockman
Courtney Lawrence Katie Brayben Morgan Weed
Jean Cassandra Compton Jennifer Damiano
Sabrina/ Video Store Clerk Holly Dale Spencer Ericka Hunter
Evelyn Williams Susannah Fielding Heléne Yorke
Detective Donald Kimball Simon Gregor Keith Randolph Smith
Christine/ Hardbody Waitress/ Hardbody Trainer Holly James
Victoria / Hardbody Bartender Lucie Jones Anna Eilinsfeld
Sean Bateman/ Security Guard/ Dorsia Host Tom Kay Jason Hite
Patrick’s Mother / Mrs Wolfe/ Svetlana Gillian Kirkpatrick Alice Ripley
David Van Patten Eugene McCoy Dave Thomas Brown
Luis Carruthers Hugh Skinner Jordan Dean

Critical reception

The London production of American Psycho received mixed to positive reviews from critics.[39][40]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref
2016 Tony Award Best Scenic Design in a Musical Es Devlin and Finn Ross Pending [41]
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Justin Townsend Pending
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Benjamin Walker Pending [42]
Outstanding Director of a Musical Rupert Goold Pending
Outstanding Choreography Lynne Page Pending
Outstanding Set Design for a Musical Es Devlin Pending
Outstanding Costume Design Katrina Lindsay Pending
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Justin Townsend Pending
Outstanding Projection Design Finn Ross Pending
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Dan Moses Schreier Pending
Drama League Award Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Pending [43]
Distinguished Performance Award Benjamin Walker Pending
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Broadway Musical Pending [44]
Outstanding New Score (Broadway or off-Broadway) Duncan Sheik Pending
Outstanding Director of a Musical Rupert Goold Pending
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Benjamin Walker Pending
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Hélene Yorke Pending
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) Katrina Lindsay Pending
Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Justin Townsend Pending
Outstanding Projection Design (Play or Musical) Finn Ross Pending

References

  1. ↑ "Doctor Who's Matt Smith regenerates into a psycho banker". standard.co.uk. London Evening Standard. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Sheridan, Emily; Flint, Hanna (13 December 2013). "Dr Who would be proud: Billie Piper plays Best Supporting Pal as she congratulates Matt Smith on opening night of American Psycho musical". dailymail.co.uk (London: Daily Mail). Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  3. ↑ Wyatt, Daisy (7 October 2013). "Matt Smith lands role as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho musical". independent.co.uk (London: The Independent). Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  4. ↑ Schram, Jamie (6 December 2010). "‘American Psycho’ musical in the works". nypost.com (New York Post). Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "Killer tunes: 'Psycho' has B'way hopes". hollywoodreporter.com. Hollywood Reporter. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Schram, Jamie. "‘American Psycho’ musical in the works". New York Post. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  7. ↑ "American Psycho the Musical: There Will Be Blood! - Signature Reads". Signature Reads. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  8. 1 2 "Benjamin Walker and Reeve Carney Part of American Psycho Musical Workshop". playbill.com. Playbill. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "'American Psycho' musical to premiere in London this December". nme.com. NME. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  10. ↑ Waters, Florence (23 April 2012). "American Psycho the musical". telegraph.co.uk (London: The Telegraph). Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  11. ↑ "Producers Launch Kickstarter Campaign for London Premiere of American Psycho Musical". playbill.com. Playbill. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "Patrick Bateman LIVE on stage! Bring a raincoat". kickstarter.com. Kickstarter. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "Duncan Sheik-Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Musical American Psycho Premieres in London Dec. 3". playbill.com. Playbill. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  14. ↑ Lachno, James (7 October 2013). "Matt Smith swaps Doctor Who for American Psycho". telegraph.co.uk (London: The Telegraph). Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  15. ↑ "Dates". almeida.co.uk. Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "Doctor Who star Matt Smith cast as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho musical". express.co.uk. Daily Express. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  17. ↑ "Last chance to get tickets to the ‘American Psycho’ musical". timeout.com. Time Out. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  18. ↑ "London World Premiere of American Psycho Ends Feb. 1". playbill.com. Playbill. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "‘American Psycho’ musical to premiere in London this Decemberi". nydailynews.com (Daily News (New York)). 20 April 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  20. ↑ Bamigboye, Baz (7 October 2013). "Matt Smith begins rehearsals for musical that transports him back to the Eighties". dailymail.co.uk (London: Daily Mail). Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  21. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Rupert Goold to Direct American Psycho Musical at London's Almeida". Playbill. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  22. ↑ "Matt Smith makes musical debut with Almeida's American Psycho". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "London Premiere of American Psycho Musical Is Sold Out". playbill.com. Playbill. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  24. ↑ "Doctor Who's Matt Smith set to regenerate … as American Psycho". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  25. 1 2 "American Psycho Cast". almeida.co.uk. Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  26. ↑ "American Psycho A new musical thriller". almeida.co.uk. Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  27. ↑ http://www.playbill.com/news/article/broadway-get-ready-for-a-bloodbath-american-psycho-musical-targeting-2016-345807
  28. ↑ "Benjamin Walker To Star in ‘American Psycho’ on Broadway". artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com. New York Times. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  29. ↑ "'American Psycho' Musical Headed to Broadway". hollywoodreporter.com. Hollywood Reporter. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  30. ↑ "American Psycho Musical Finds a Theatre and Pushes Back Broadway Dates". playbill.com. Playbill. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  31. ↑ "‘American Psycho’ Musical, Starring Benjamin Walker, Nabs Broadway Theater". variety.com. Variety. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "Duncan Sheik tackles darker turf with 'American Psycho'". courier-journal.com. The Courier-Journal. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "London Cast Recording of American Psycho Arrives Today". playbill.com. Playbill. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  34. 1 2 "American Psycho". Almedia Theatre programme: 4. December 2013.
  35. 1 2 "American Psycho". ibdb.com. Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  36. ↑ "American Psycho". Almedia Theatre programme: 36–41. December 2013.
  37. ↑ Lloyd Webber, Imogen. "Drew Moerlein & More Will Complete the Cast of American Psycho; Opening Night Date Set". Broadway.com. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  38. ↑ "Matt Smith cast in American Psycho musical". bbc.co.uk/news (BBC News). 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "Matt Smith's American Psycho carves up theatre critics". scottishdailyexpress.co.uk. Daily Express. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  40. ↑ "Critics in two minds over Matt Smith's American Psycho musical". bbc.co.uk/news (BBC News). 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  41. ↑ "2016 Tony Awards Nominations - HAMILTON Breaks Record with 16! And the Nominees Are...". BroadwayWorld.com. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  42. ↑ "She Loves Me, American Psycho, and Bright Star Lead 2016 Drama Desk Award Nominations". TheaterMania.com. 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  43. ↑ "SHE LOVES ME, HAMILTON, THE CRUCIBLE & More Earn 2016 Drama League Nominations; Check Out the Full List!". BroadwayWorld.com. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  44. ↑ "American Psycho & She Loves Me Top List of 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Broadway.com. 2016-04-19. Retrieved 2016-04-19.

External links

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