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Musical by Paul Graham Brown based on the novel by Anthony McCarten
Music and Lyrics by Paul Graham Brown,
Book by Anthony McCarten
(German translation by Nina Schneider)
Don is 15 years old and he's living on borrowed time. He has cancer
and the prognosis is not good. He withdraws into his own head and
onto the pages of his sketchpad, where he creates a bizarre and
sexy world of comic book superheroes and villains. "Miraculous
Man" is Don's alter ego; after an accident involving radioactive
waste he has become immortal. Lurking in the shadows of the nearest
skyscraper, the evil Doctor Glove and his voluptuous sidekick, Nursey,
want to capture "Miraculous Man" and harvest his bone
marrow so that they, too, can live forever. But Doctor Glove is
not the only one susceptible to Nursey's ample charms ...
Meanwhile, back in the real world, Don likes this girl from school,
Shelley. But chances of a date are remote for a kid whose hair has
fallen out.
Don's parents have sent their son off to see the psychiatrist Dr.
Adrian King. Don complains that his main problem is that he doesn't
want to die a virgin. Understanding the logic of this, Adrian sets
out to help Don lose his virginity. And so begins a rich and humourful
adventure that has more consequences for the doctor and patient
than anyone had expected ...
Set against the dazzling and awe inspiring landscape of Don's comic-book
world, "Superhero" tells a tale of teenagers, parents,
sons, brothers, partners and lovers - of normal people doing their
best to stay that way. It tells of the fleeting nature of life and
the need to celebrate each moment.
"Superhero" combines traditional musical theatre songs
with pulsating dance and hip hop beats and the mighty sweep of Bond-like
orchestrations.
"... has all the ingredients for a touching blockbuster that, in addition, displays a dash of courage ... It is a fine, large-scale world premiere production, the theme is a perfect fit for a youth show ... It felt like there was scene applause every five minutes." (Frankfurter Rundschau)
Premiere at Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, October 2014
9 men, 6 woman, Ensemble
Scored for full orchestra (Reed I (A.Sax, Fl), Reed II (T.Sax, Fl),
Reed III (Bar.Sax, Klar), Git / E-Git, E-Bass, Trp I, Trp II, Key
I, Key II, Drums).
Performance rights available from Felix
Bloch Erben Verlag, Berlin