King Kong the Musical (2018)
King Kong is a musical with score by Marius de Vries, songs by Eddie Perfect and book by Jack Thorne, based on the 1933 film of the same name. It is scheduled to begin previews at the Broadway Theatre in October 2018.[1]
An earlier version of the musical, under a different creative team, was mounted in Australia in 2013.
Development
The Australian production took five years of planning and over five months of rehearsals. Its director, Daniel Kramer, said that it took “three years of auditions and workshops” before performances began. He added, “It’s tempting to focus on the spectacle of King Kong himself. But it is only through the humanity of the life around him – the people of New York City, the comic megalomania of filmmaker Carl Denham, the stubborn opposition of first mate Jack Driscoll, and the grace, beauty and power of our leading lady, Ann Darrow – that he truly takes life.”[citation needed]
The musical, according to the 2013 press notes, “has gone back to the source – the novella of the original film by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace.”[2]
Productions
An earlier version of the musical opened at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne, Australia on 15 June 2013, following previews from 28 May 2013. It featured a score by de Marius de Vries, lyrics by Michael Mitnick and Craig Lucas, a book by Lucas, and additional music and lyrics by 3D, Sarah McLachlan, Guy Garvey, Justice and The Avalanches. The production was directed by Daniel Kramer and choreographed by John O’Connell.
Originally booking through 28 July 2013, the musical extended its booking period three times,[3] closing on 16 February 2014, after an almost nine-month run. The show was produced by Global Creatures, which partnered with animatronics workshop The Creature Technology Company, who designed the six-metre animatronic silverback title character.[4]
Engineered, designed and built by Global Creature Technology in West Melbourne, Australia, the title role was the largest puppet ever created for the stage.[5] The 2013 press notes stated that Kong was “a highly sophisticated animatronic/marionette hybrid that will be controlled by the integration of hydraulics, automation and the manual manipulation from a team of puppeteer/aerialists. … A group of 35 on-stage and off-stage puppeteers work to manipulate the large-scale puppet. Several puppeteers are positioned on swinging trapezes and others launch themselves as counterweights off the puppet’s shoulders to raise Kong’s massive arms as he runs and swipes at planes during the performance. … [The musical features] a cast of 49 actors, singers, dancers, circus performers and puppeteers; a crew of 76; and arguably the most technologically advanced puppet in the world – a one-tonne, six-metre giant silverback”.[2]
Broadway
The Broadway premiere of King Kong was originally scheduled to take place in 2014.[2] Gerry Ryan of Global Creatures told Australian Radio Station 3AW in January 2014: “I was in New York recently and went to the theatre, and so, they’re getting ready – Spider-Man [Turn Off the Dark]’s closed there at the Foxwoods and we’ll be opening on December 12 [2014].”[6] Producers soon announced delays.[7] By September 2014, Marsha Norman was engaged to rewrite the book.[8]
In 2015, Jason Robert Brown was added to the team[9] “to write songs for the characters. There’s a whole lot of music that already exists for King Kong.”[10] Formal presentations for the production began in February 2016.[11][12]
The musical opened at the Broadway Theatre[13] for previews on October 5, 2018, with the official opening on November 8.[14] The creative team includes book writer Jack Thorne, director-choreographer Drew McOnie, and Australian songwriter Eddie Perfect, who replace the former creatives.[15]. King Kong closed August 18, 2019 after 29 Previews and 314 Performances.
Run
Date | Type & Version | Theatre |
| Nov 8, 2018 – Aug 18, 2019 | Musical Original | Broadway Theatre |
Details – 29 Previews and 322 Performances
Synopsis
This synopsis describes the 2013 production in Australia.
Act I
In the middle of The Great Depression in New York City, film director Carl Denham is pressured to find a leading lady for his next film (“Hunting Season”). He searches the city for a woman fitting for the role but with little success (“Sweethearts on Parade/Brother Can You Spare a Dime”). Meanwhile, Ann Darrow is also struggling to cope with life in the city (“What’s It Gonna Take”). She is robbed by thugs who taunt her by tossing around her belongings (“I Wanna Be Loved by You”). Denham spots her and realises she is perfect for the role. Ann is almost arrested for trying to steal an apple but Denham is able to prevent it. He offers her a job to star in his picture which she reluctantly accepts. Ann boards his ship and meets the crew including Jack Driscoll with whom she does not get along at first. The ship leaves the port as Denham thinks about how successful his new film will be (“Colossus”). The next morning Ann is nervous about her screen test but later becomes confident as she gets ready (“Special FX”). She and Jack get to know each other a little better (“Perfect’) and eventually fall in love (“Foxtrot”).
The ship eventually arrives at Skull Island, the crew argue about whether to turn back or explore the island but Denham insists they go ashore. They interrupt the natives’ sacrificial ritual and a fight breaks out (“Ritual”). The crew head back to the ship but Ann is abducted and offered as a sacrifice to Kong (“Ascent”). The crew go to rescue her but are too late as Kong has already taken her. Jack, however is determined to get Ann back and ventures into the jungle (“In the Face of Forever”). Meanwhile, Ann wakes up to face Kong in his cave. At first she is frightened but she builds the courage to stand up to him. Kong protects her when she is almost attacked by a giant snake and they form a special bond (“Full Moon Lullaby”). While Kong falls asleep, Jack quietly approaches and Ann reluctantly goes back with him. Kong suddenly wakes and realises Ann has gone and chases after them (“The Chase”). Denham and the crew capture Kong using gas bombs to knock him out and Ann as bait, much to her dismay. Denham decides to present Kong to the public in New York.
Act II
Now back in New York, Ann contemplates her experiences on Skull Island (“What’s It Gonna Take”) while Denham advertises for his show in which he intends to present a now captive Kong to the audience (“The Greatest Show on Earth”). Jack proposes to Ann and she accepts (“Dance with Me”). The couple are about to enter the theatre when Ann asks for a moment alone before joining him as she is caught between starting a new life with Jack and her affection and sympathy for Kong (“A Simple Prayer”). Denham presents Kong in chains to the audience much to their astonishment. Ann and Jack rush onto the stage causing Denham to panic as he is worried they will try to turn the public against him. Ann tries to console Kong but when Denham orders the guards to remove her, despite Jack warning them not to touch her, Kong believes they are trying to hurt her and breaks free as Jack quickly escapes with Ann. Denham sends out the Avalanches to entertain and calm down the nervous crowd (“Get Happy”).
Kong rampages through the city in search of Ann and kills few look-alikes, but Ann manages to find him and calm him down. He gently picks her up and takes her to the top of the Empire State Building as the public watch in awe. Denham is arrested despite his protests “It was beauty killed the beast! Not me!” (“Rise”). Atop, Ann and Kong share a moment (“Full Moon Lullaby (Reprise)”) but it is cut short when airplanes begin to shoot at Kong. Ann desperately yells for them stop but they don’t hear her. Kong is fatally shot in the neck and falls to his death (“Amen, Opus 35”). Below, Jack reunites with a devastated Ann while the crowd gather around to see Kong’s dead body.
Characters and Original Cast
| Character | Australia (2013) | Reading (2016) | Workshop (2017) | Broadway (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Darrow | Esther Hannaford | Lora Lee Gayer | Eva Noblezada | Christiani Pitts |
| Carl Denham | Adam Lyon | Marc Kudisch | Eric William Morris | |
| Lumpy | N/A | Tom Nelis | Erik Lochtefeld | |
| The Bartender | N/A | Bradley Dean | Harley Jay | |
| Captain Englehorn | Richard Piper | N/A | Akron Watson | Rory Donovan |
| Jack Driscoll | Chris Ryan | Euan Morton | N/A | |
| Cassandra | Queenie van de Zandt | N/A | ||
| Benny | N/A | Robert Creighton | N/A | |
| Young Jack | N/A | Cole Edelstein | N/A | |
| Voice of Kong | N/A | Benny Elledge | Harley Durst | Jon Hoche |
| King Kong | N/A | Sam Foster | N/A | |
Final King Kong Cast 18 August 2019
Christiani Pitts – Ann Darrow
Eric William Morris – Carl Denham
Erik Lochtefeld – Lumpy
Ashley Andrews – Swing/Dance Captain
Mike Baerga – Kings Company/Ensemble
Rhaamell Burke-Missouri – Kings Company/Ensemble
NIck Rashad Burroughs – Ensemble
Chole Campbell – Ensemble
Leroy Church – Ensemble
Peter Chursin – Ensemble
Jovan Dansberry – Kings Company Ensemble
Kayla Davion – Ensemble
Lissa deGuzman – Ensembl/Ann Cover
Rory Donovan – Ensemble
James Retter Duncan – Voodoo Operator/Swing
Casey Garvin – Kings Company Ensemble
Christopher Hampton Grant – Swing
Jon Hoche – Voodoo Operator/ Kongs Voice
Gabriel Hyman – Kings Company Ensemble
Harley Jay – Ensemble
Marty Lawson – Kings Company Ensemble
Jonathan Christopher MacMillan – Voodoo Operator/Swing
Danny Miller/Voodoo Operator/Ensemble
Brittany Marcell Monachino – Ensemble
Elyse Niederee – Kings Company/Swing
Jennifer Noble – Ensemble
Kristen Faith Oei – Swing
Eliza Ohman Ensemble/Asst Dance Captain
Roberto Olvera – Kings Company/Ensemble
Jaquez Andre Sims – Ensemble
Khadija Tariyan – Kings Company/Ensemble
Jens VanElslander – Swing
Scott Austin weber – Swing
Jacob Williams – Voodoo Operator/Ensemble/Kong Captain
Lauren Yalango-Grant – Kings Company/Ensemble
Warren Yang – Swing
David Yijae – Kings CVompany/Ensemble
Musical Numbers
Original Melbourne Production
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Original Broadway Production
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Reception
Kong opened on 15 June 2013 to mixed reviews. The majority of critics lauded the visuals and the cast, but reacted negatively to the music, book and lyrics. Aussie Theatre wrote, “It’s spectacular. Visually and technically, this is theatre that we haven’t seen before”, but went on to say, “The story isn’t there. There’s a plot based on assuming the audience know King Kong’s film story, but it’s filled with illogical leaps, clunky dialogue and the melodrama of unearned emotion. It feels like it was written around the spectacle.” In terms of the score, it wrote, “The music is forgettable. It’s not boring, but it doesn’t move the story, show character or add much more than a beat for the spectacle that it’s supporting”, claiming that “the most successful number is Ann’s lullaby to Kong on Skull Island.”[16]
Australian Stage reviewed the show similarly, writing “The storyline does suffer from a lack of character development and an over-use of musical numbers that are sometimes more razzle-dazzle than relevant to the actual story.” It also reacted negatively to the original character Cassandra, writing “…adding [her] was another unnecessary idea. With little to do and dressed in a costume that seemed more relevant to Wicked, one was left bewildered by her presence, although Queenie van de Zandt produced another strong performance in the role.”[17] In a 3 1/2 star review, The Sunday Morning Herald believed the show to “[impress] on many levels”, adding, “if it falls short, it’s because our expectations are so sky high. As such, it is a showcase for a technology’s potential and also its limitations. It is a novel, intermittently powerful but synthetic spectacle that seeks to be more.”[18]
Awards and Nominations
Original Melbourne Production
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Helpmann Awards[19] | Best New Australian Work | Nominated | |
| Best Female Actor in a Musical | Esther Hannaford | Nominated | ||
| Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Chris Ryan | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Score | Marius de Vries (original music), Michael Mitnick and Richard Thomas (additional lyrics), featuring Songs and Original Compositions by 3D, Guy Garvey, Sarah McLachlan, Justice and The Avalanches | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Roger Kirk | Won | ||
| Best Scenic Design | Peter England | Won | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Peter Mumford | Won | ||
| Best Sound Design | Peter Hylenski | Won | ||
| Outstanding Theatrical Achievement * | Won | |||
- The award for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement was created by the Industry Awards Panel and Helpmann Awards Administration Committee for the “design, creation and operation of King Kong – the creature.” The panel and administration felt that the “ground breaking Australian creation, the first of its kind in the world, was worthy of individual recognition.”[20]
Full Broadway Cast
Eric William Morris – Carl Denham
Christiani Pitts – Ann Darrow
Erik Lochtefeld – Lumpy
Mike Baerga – King’s Company – Ensemble
Rhaamell Burke-Missouri – Broadway Debut – King’s Company – Ensemble
Chloë Campbell – Ensemble
Leroy Church – Broadway Debut – Ensemble
Peter Chursin – Ensemble
Jovan Dansberry – Broadway Debut – King’s Company – Ensemble
Kayla Davion – Ensemble
Rory Donovan – Captain Englehorn – Ensemble
Casey Garvin – Fake Carl – King’s Company – Ensemble
Jon Hoche – Broadway Debut – Voice of Kong – Voodoo Operator – Ensemble
Gabriel Hyman – Broadway Debut – King’s Company – Ensemble
Harley Jay – Barman – Ensemble
James T. Lane – Ensemble
Marty Lawson – King’s Company – Ensemble
Danny Miller – Broadway Debut – Voodoo Operator – Ensemble
Brittany Marcell Monachino – Broadway Debut – Ensemble
Jennifer Noble – Ensemble
Eliza Ohman – Ensemble
Roberto Olvera – Broadway Debut King’s Company – Ensemble
Jaquez André Sims – Ensemble
Khadija Tariyan – Broadway Debut – King’s Company – Ensemble
Jacob Williams – Broadway Debut Voodoo Operator – Ensemble
Lauren Yalango-Grant – Broadway Debut – King’s Company – Ensemble
David Yijae – Broadway Debut – King’s Company – Ensemble
Swings: Ashley Andrews, Christopher Hampton Grant, Jonathan Christopher MacMillan, Kristen Faith Oei, Jena VanElslander, Scott Weber and Warren Yang
Understudies: Ashley Andrews (Fake Carl), Kayla Davion (Ann Darrow), Rory Donovan (Carl Denham, Lumpy), Harley Jay (Captain Englehorn, Carl Denham), James T. Lane (Barman, Lumpy), Marty Lawson (Barman, Fake Carl), Jennifer Noble (Ann Darrow) and Jaquez André Sims (Captain Englehorn)
Broadway Creative
Written by Jack Thorne
Score Composed and Produced by Marius de Vries
Songs by Eddie Perfect
Music orchestrated by Christopher Jahnke
Vocal arrangements by Michael Gacetta and Eddie Perfect
Additional Arrangements by Michael Gacetta
Associate Music Arranger: Eldad Guetta
Musical Director: Michael Gacetta
Directed by Drew McOnie
Choreographed by Drew McOnie
Associate Director: Johanna McKeon
Associate Choreographer: Ellenore Scott
Scenic Design by Peter England
Costume Design by Roger Kirk
Lighting Design by Peter Mumford
Sound Design by Peter Hylenski
Hair Design by Tom Watson
Projection Design by Peter England
Creature Design: Sonny Tilders
Video & Projection Imaging Content by Artists in Motion
Associate Scenic Design: Christine Peters and Mary Hamrick
Associate Costume Design: Nancy Palmatier and Dana Radmacher
Associate Lighting Design: Victoria Brennan and Joel Shier
Associate Sound Design: Daniel Miele
Associate Hair Design: Tommy Kurzman
Associate Projection Design: Ruey Horng Sun
Executive Producer: Barbara Darwall
General Manager: Foresight Theatrical and Mark Shacket
Company Manager: Cathy Kwon
Production Manager: Juniper Street Productions
Technical Director: Fred Gallo
Technical Supervisor: Martin Productions
Production Stage Manager: Kathleen E. Purvis; Stage Manager: Andrew Neal
