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James Joyce's The dead: A musical
Winner! 2000 Tony® Award for Best Musical Book.
Adapted from Joyce's literary masterpiece set in 1904, the last and best known of the short stories collected in The Dubliners, this intimate musical portrays a homespun Yuletide party with Irish music, dancing, food, drink and good fellowship. Sparkling songs, many of them traditional sounding Irish melodies that are performed as entertainment by the partygoers, are all original. Christopher Walken starred in a production that moved from Playwrights Horizon to Broadway.
"Triumphant.... A theatrical treat that enchants, surprises and finally thrills with unexpected depth.... It is Joyce made manifest ... providing sequence after sequence of heart stopping drama." - The New York Post
"The season's hottest ticket.... An elegant ... marvelous job of musicalizing The Dead." - The New York Daily News
"Achieves a soft spoken air of intimacy that has you leaning forward like a fascinated eavesdropper.... The Dead is quite revolutionary: a musical that dares to be different [and] successfully claims new ground.... It is a reason to celebrate." - The New York Times
Jame's Joyce's THE DEAD first premiered Off Broadway at Playwright's Horizons in 1999. It then transferred to Broadway at the Belasco Theatre in 2000.
Adapted from Joyce's literary masterpiece set in 1904, the last and best known of the short stories collected in The Dubliners, this intimate musical portrays a homespun Yuletide party with Irish music, dancing, food, drink and good fellowship. Sparkling songs, many of them traditional sounding Irish melodies that are performed as entertainment by the partygoers, are all original. Christopher Walken starred in a production that moved from Playwrights Horizon to Broadway.
"Triumphant.... A theatrical treat that enchants, surprises and finally thrills with unexpected depth.... It is Joyce made manifest ... providing sequence after sequence of heart stopping drama." - The New York Post
"The season's hottest ticket.... An elegant ... marvelous job of musicalizing The Dead." - The New York Daily News
"Achieves a soft spoken air of intimacy that has you leaning forward like a fascinated eavesdropper.... The Dead is quite revolutionary: a musical that dares to be different [and] successfully claims new ground.... It is a reason to celebrate." - The New York Times
Jame's Joyce's THE DEAD first premiered Off Broadway at Playwright's Horizons in 1999. It then transferred to Broadway at the Belasco Theatre in 2000.
- GenresPlays
88 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 1, 2022
I want to be a guest at this party. Since that can't happen, I'd love to see a production of this beautiful chamber musical.
March 11, 2023
James Joyce's "The Dead" is a short story that is considered to be one of his most accomplished works. The story is set in Dublin, Ireland in the early 20th century and centers on a Christmas party held by the Morkan sisters. The protagonist, Gabriel Conroy, is a teacher and writer who attends the party with his wife, Gretta. Throughout the course of the evening, Gabriel experiences a series of revelations about himself, his relationship with Gretta, and his place in Irish society.
Joyce's prose is rich and vivid, and he uses a variety of literary techniques to convey the complexity of his characters' emotions and the nuances of their relationships. The story is notable for its use of symbolism, particularly in its depiction of snow, which is used to represent both the beauty and the coldness of life.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Dead" is its exploration of themes related to Irish identity and the country's relationship with the rest of Europe. Gabriel is depicted as a man caught between his Irish heritage and his European education and worldview. This tension is reflected in the story's depiction of the Irish language, which is seen as a symbol of the country's cultural heritage but also as a barrier to communication with the rest of Europe.
Overall, "The Dead" is a masterful work of literature that combines rich characterization, complex themes, and beautiful prose to create a powerful and memorable reading experience. It is a testament to Joyce's skill as a writer and his ability to capture the complexities of human experience in all its beauty and tragedy.
Joyce's prose is rich and vivid, and he uses a variety of literary techniques to convey the complexity of his characters' emotions and the nuances of their relationships. The story is notable for its use of symbolism, particularly in its depiction of snow, which is used to represent both the beauty and the coldness of life.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Dead" is its exploration of themes related to Irish identity and the country's relationship with the rest of Europe. Gabriel is depicted as a man caught between his Irish heritage and his European education and worldview. This tension is reflected in the story's depiction of the Irish language, which is seen as a symbol of the country's cultural heritage but also as a barrier to communication with the rest of Europe.
Overall, "The Dead" is a masterful work of literature that combines rich characterization, complex themes, and beautiful prose to create a powerful and memorable reading experience. It is a testament to Joyce's skill as a writer and his ability to capture the complexities of human experience in all its beauty and tragedy.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews