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American Psycho (musical)

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American Psycho
Original London Production Poster
MusicDuncan Sheik
LyricsDuncan Sheik
BookRoberto Aguirre-Sacasa
BasisBret Easton Ellis's novel
American Psycho
Premiere12 December 2013 (2013-12-12): Almeida Theatre
Productions2013 London

American Psycho is a 2013 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] 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.

Background

The basis of the musical is the 1991 novel[2] American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.[3] In 2008, it was confirmed that producers David Johnson and Jesse Singer were developing a musical adaptation of the novel to appear on Broadway.[4] A workshop took place in Manhattan in 2011, with Benjamin Walker playing the lead role of Patrick Bateman.[5] In April 2012, it was announced that London theatre company Headlong would stage the musical's world premiere[6] during their 2012-13 season.[7] At the same time a Kickstarter campaign was launched to raise 150,000 dollars,[8] to allow them to have a live orchestra and extend the rehearsal period for the production to seven weeks.[9]

Production history

American Psycho began previews on 3 December 2013,[10] at the Almeida Theatre, London,[11] before holding its official opening night on 12 December,[12] with booking initially until 25 January,[13] but later extended[14] by a week to 1 February 2014, when it closed.[15] The show has a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa[16] with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik[17] and is directed by Rupert Goold,[18] 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.[19] Tickets for the world premiere production sold out.[20] 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.[21][22] A typical London performance runs 2hrs 40mins, including one interval of 20 mins.[23]

In February 2014, Sheik confirmed that a West End production was planned for later in 2014, and stated that if all goes well there may be an American transfer of the musical. [24]

Music

Sheik's music features an original electronic score, with extracts from 1980s songs in-between.[25]

Musical numbers

Principal roles and cast members

Character Original London actor[22][27]
Patrick Bateman Matt Smith[28]
Paul Owen Ben Aldridge
Craig McDermott Charlie Anson
Tim Price Jonathan Bailey
Courtney Lawrence Katie Brayben
Jean Cassandra Compton
Sabrina Holly Dale Spencer
Evelyn Williams Susannah Fielding
Detective Kimball Simon Gregor
Christine Holly James
Victoria / Hardbody Bartender Lucie Jones
Sean Bateman Tom Kay
Patrick’s Mother / Mrs Wolfe Gillian Kirkpatrick
David Van Patten Eugene McCoy
Luis Carruthers Hugh Skinner

Critical reception

Christian Bale has compared the musical to an "abortion". The London production of American Psycho received mixed to positive reviews from critics.[29][30]

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. ^ "Billie Piper plays Best Supporting Pal". dailymail.co.uk. Daily Mail. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Matt Smith lands role as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho musical". independent.co.uk. The Independent. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  4. ^ "'American Psycho' musical in the works". nypost.com. New York Post. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Benjamin Walker and Reeve Carney Part of American Psycho Musical Workshop". playbill.com. Playbill. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  6. ^ "'American Psycho' musical to premiere in London this December". nme.com. NME. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  7. ^ "American Psycho the musical". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Producers Launch Kickstarter Campaign for London Premiere of American Psycho Musical". playbill.com. Playbill. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Patrick Bateman LIVE on stage! Bring a raincoat". kickstarter.com. Kickstarter. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  10. ^ "Duncan Sheik-Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Musical American Psycho Premieres in London Dec. 3". playbill.com. Playbill. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Matt Smith swaps Doctor Who for American Psycho". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  12. ^ "Dates". almeida.co.uk. Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "Last chance to get tickets to the 'American Psycho' musical". timeout.com. Time Out. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  15. ^ "London World Premiere of American Psycho Ends Feb. 1". playbill.com. Playbill. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  16. ^ "'American Psycho' musical to premiere in London this Decemberi". nydailynews.com. Daily News (New York). 20 April 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  17. ^ "Matt Smith begins rehearsals for musical that transports him back to the Eighties". dailymail.co.uk. Daily Mail. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  18. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Rupert Goold to Direct American Psycho Musical at London's Almeida". Playbill. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  19. ^ "Matt Smith makes musical debut with Almeida's American Psycho". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  20. ^ "London Premiere of American Psycho Musical Is Sold Out". playbill.com. Playbill. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  21. ^ "Doctor Who's Matt Smith set to regenerate … as American Psycho". theguardian.com. The Guardian. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  22. ^ a b "American Psycho Cast". almeida.co.uk. Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  23. ^ "American Psycho A new musical thriller". almeida.co.uk. Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  24. ^ "Duncan Sheik Confirms West End AMERICAN PSYCHO This Fall & Premieres New Song". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  25. ^ "Duncan Sheik tackles darker turf with 'American Psycho'". courier-journal.com. The Courier-Journal. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  26. ^ "American Psycho". Almedia Theatre programme: p4. December 2013. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help)
  27. ^ "American Psycho". Almedia Theatre programme: p36—41. December 2013. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help)
  28. ^ "Matt Smith cast in American Psycho musical". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  29. ^ "Matt Smith's American Psycho carves up theatre critics". scottishdailyexpress.co.uk. Daily Express. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  30. ^ "Critics in two minds over Matt Smith's American Psycho musical". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
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