Starry is a pop-rock musical based on the lives of Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo van Gogh.[1] The musical has a book written by Kelly Lynne D'Angelo, music by Matt Dahan, and lyrics by both.[2]

Development

The show started development in 2017.[3][4] Dahan and D'Angelo had previously been working separately on their own van Gogh musicals, but when the two met they decided to collaborate and combine their outlines.[5] The two first worked on the show's story, drawing heavily from the letters Vincent and Theo exchanged, which were later compiled, translated, and published by Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, Theo's wife.[5][6][7] The duo also looked at historical documents from painters Paul Gauguin and Émile Bernard.[6] The music was created next, followed by the show's book.[6]

By late 2017 StarKid Productions members Jamie Lynn Beatty, Mariah Rose Faith, Jeff Blim, and Dylan Saunders had joined the cast.[5]

In the summer of 2018 the musical premiered at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Angeles, California.[8] The workshop run received positive reviews and sold out many of their shows.[6][9][10] In May 2019 the show performed a sold-out concert at Feinstein 54/Below, also in Los Angeles.[6][9] The show returned to the space in February 2020.[11]

In August 2019 a four person cast (Huck Walton, Amanda Walter, Laura Hartley, and Tim Hein) performed Starry at the Voodoo Rooms and The Liquid Room at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[12][13][14] In March 2021 Dahan and D'Angelo performed pieces from Starry as part of New York Theatre Barn's New Work Series.[1][15]

From March 28 to April 7 2022, the show had a workshop production in the United Kingdom.[4][7] This was followed by a closed industry performance on April 8.[4][7] The production was produced by Ameena Hamid, directed by Dean Johnson, and choreographed by Nileeka Bose.[3]

In January 2023 the show had a second London workshop.

The show is scheduled to have its London premiere on the West End in 2023.[3][4][7][16]

Synopsis

Act 1

The story open in Montmartre, Paris, France, where Theo van Gogh works as an art dealer and is constantly being asked by artists to publicize their art (“Impress Me”). Meanwhile, Theo’s brother Vincent is in town. The two of them discuss their dreams of breaking from the status quo and doing something amazing (“A New Horizon”). Vincent visits Madame Segatori’s café, where he meets a group of artists who, despite their constant bickering, have a sense of camaraderie and solidarity (“United in Distaste”). The group shares their art philosophies with Vincent and ask him to share his own.

Meanwhile, Theo meets Jo Bonger and falls head over heels for her (“Something After All”). Jo explains her life philosophy of constantly striving to learn more about the world (“Enlightenment”). Back at the cafe, Paul Gauguin has decided he is fed up with the other artists and decides to strike out on his own (“Where are we Going?”). Vincent continues to work on his own artwork, despite not selling any of his works and other people disliking his style. Jo and Emilé Bernard remind the others that change cannot happen without discomfort, and they say they believe Vincent is on to something (“The Sower”). Jo and Theo have continue to grow closer, and Theo proposes to her. Vincent, meanwhile, is dealing with his own emotions regarding his art and his path in life (“The Road”).

Act 2

Vincent has moved in with Paul Gauguin in the countryside, and he and Theo continue to write letters to each other (“The Yellow House”). Theo provides Vincent with an allowance to buy art supplies and Vincent sends Theo his finished works. Jo writes Vincent a letter one day, explaining that she and Theo have married and it's going well, and that Theo is proud of his brother and his work (“Sunlight and Storms”). However, Vincent’s mental health begins to spiral following a fight with Gauguin (“Threshold of Eternity”) and he realizes the only thing that might help him is continuing to paint. Theo writes Vincent, telling him that he has sold his first painting: The Red Vineyard. Theo tells him about his dreams: Vincent moving back to Montmartre and painting Theo’s son and him seeing his art inspiring other people (“The Red Vineyard”). Vincent, in a moment of clarity, paints The Starry Night, deciding it will be his legacy (“The Starry Night”). However, Vincent chooses to go out into the wheat fields and shoot himself. Theo travels to him and stays with him until he dies the next day (“Wheat Fields”). After his death, his work becomes recognized due to Jo’s efforts, and the show ends with the ensemble declaring “the sight of the starry night makes me free” (“Finale Ultimo”).

Music

The show's music was composed by Matt Dahan, with lyrics by both Dahan and D'Angelo.[7]

Several of the show's songs are named after van Gogh's artworks, including The Sower, The Yellow House, The Red Vineyard, The Starry Night, and Wheat Fields. One song, Where Are We Going? is named after Paul Gauguin's painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? and is sung by Gauguin.

Album

The show's concept album was released on January 31 2020.[17] The album hit #14 on the iTunes pop charts and #42 on the main iTunes charts.[18] In November 2020 the album was re-released with four additional demos not included on the original album.[2]

Track listing:

  • Prologue
  • Impress Me
  • A New Horizon (Dylan Saunders, Joe Viba)
  • United in Distaste
  • Something After All (Joe Viba)
  • Enlightenment (Mariah Rose Faith)
  • Where Are We Going?
  • The Sower
  • The Road
  • The Yellow House
  • Sunlight and Storms (Mariah Rose Faith)
  • Threshold of Eternity (Dylan Saunders, Joe Viba, Mariah Rose Faith)
  • The Red Vineyard (Joe Viba)
  • The Starry Night (Dylan Saunders)
  • Wheat Fields/Finale Ultimo
  • Take on the World Together (Demo)
  • Paris at Night (Demo)
  • Something After All - Original Version (Demo)

Cast

Rockwell Table & Stage[8][10] Concept Album[17][19] 2022

UK Workshop[7]

 2023

UK Workshop

Vincent van Gogh Derek Carley, Huck Walton Dylan Saunders Jamie Muscato David Hunter
Theo van Gogh Matthew Sanderson Joe Viba Dean John-Wilson Carl Spencer
Jo Bonger Mariah Rose Faith Maiya Quansah-Breed Cleopatra Ray
Paul Gauguin Jeff Blim Adrian Hansel
Émile Bernard Lovlee Carroll Jaime Lyn Beatty Reggie Mccarthy Freddie Love
Toulouse-Lautrec Michael Minto Aaron Teoh Nicholas McLean
Agostina Segatori Natalie Llerena n/a Natalie Paris
Edgar Degas Jenaha McLearn Natalie Masini n/a n/a
Berthe Morisot Mareena Nicole Amanda Walter n/a n/a
Camille Pissarro Lennon Hobson Clayton Snyder n/a n/a

References

  1. 1 2 Rabinowitz, Chloe. "New Musicals STARRY and SEASONS Will Headline New York Theatre Barn's New Work Series". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  2. 1 2 Wild, Stephi. "STARRY Original Concept Album to Be Re-Released With New Songs". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  3. 1 2 3 Wood, Alex (24 March 2022). "Van Gogh musical Starry to have workshop from this month ahead of 2023 world premiere | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Darvill, Josh (2022-03-24). "New Van Gogh musical Starry announces London Workshop". Stage Chat. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  5. 1 2 3 "Episode 12: MATT DAHAN & KELLY LYNNE D'ANGELO". Broadway Podcast Network. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Rosky, Nicole. "BWW Interview: Kelly Lynne D'Angelo Goes Van Gough with New Musical, STARRY". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Putnam, Leah; Wiltbank, Michael (6 April 2022). "Take a Peek at the Industry Workshop of New Vincent Van Gogh Musical Starry in London". Playbill. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  8. 1 2 Musbach, Julie. "STARRY, A New Musical About Brothers Theo & Vincent Van Gogh, To Premiere In Los Angeles This Summer". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  9. 1 2 Musbach, Julie. "Sherie Rene Scott & Norbert Leo Butz, Joe Iconis, and More Set for 54 Below This Month". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  10. 1 2 Stier, Julia (2018-10-10). "STARRY, reviewed by Julia Stier". STAGE RAW. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  11. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "STARRY, a Pop-Rock Musical About Vincent van Gogh, Will Return to Feinstein's/54 Below". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  12. ↑ Musbach, Julie. "Pop-Rock Musical about Vincent van Gogh, STARRY, to Debut at Edinburgh Fringe". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  13. ↑ "Starry, A New Musical In Concert - Monday 12th August 2019". The Voodoo Rooms. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  14. ↑ @starrymusical. """A breathtaking new musical…" - Stage Raw ✨ That's right! - we're going to @edfringe with our concert series of #Starry from August 12th-14th, with shows both at the Voodoo Rooms (18+) and The Liquid Room Annex!"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  15. ↑ Harms, Talaura (24 February 2021). "Taylor Iman Jones, Jelani Remy, Marc delaCruz, and More Perform New Works for New York Theatre Barn". Playbill. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  16. ↑ Chan, Goldie. "Revealing Unforgettable Stories With Kelly Lynne D'Angelo". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  17. 1 2 Riggio, Kaitlyn (3 February 2020). "REVIEW: "Starry" concept album shines with impressive musical moments, potential for growth – The Daily Free Press". Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  18. ↑ "Images Released from Workshop of Starry". Theatre Weekly. 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
  19. ↑ "STARRY". starrymusical.com. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
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