The Last Session (musical)

The Last Session is a musical with the book by Jim Brochu and the music and lyrics by Steve Schalchlin, with additional lyrics by John Bettis and Marie Cain. The musical is about a singer/songwriter who has decided to commit suicide to end his battle with AIDS, but only after one last recording session in the studio. The musical was presented Off-Broadway in 1997.

For other uses, see Last Session (disambiguation).
The Last Session
MusicSteve Schalchlin
LyricsSteve Schalchlin
John Bettis
Marie Cain
BookJim Brochu
BasisThe life of Steve Schalchlin
Productions1997 Off-Broadway
1998 Los Angeles
2012 London

Background

The musical is partially based on Schalchlin's life.[1] CurtainUp notes that the musical is a "fictionalized and more tightly focused version of the autobiographical notes that the composer, Steve Schalchlin, has been keeping about his own life in a diary.[2]

TalkinBroadway explained: "The character of Gideon is clearly based on composer Schalchlin, who has made no secret of the fact that he has escaped HIV-related death at least three times and was convinced by his own companion of fourteen years, Brochu, to write his feelings out as songs."[3]

Plot

Gideon is an ex-gospel singer turned pop star who has scheduled a final recording session. He invites his old band to join him including professional back-up singer Tryshia, failed rock singer turned Mary Kay Cosmetics salesperson, Vicki, and studio engineer Jim. Buddy is a young Texas gospel singer, who has idolized Gideon his entire lifetime. He has come to Los Angeles to meet Gideon and to follow in his footsteps to cross over from gospel to pop. His world is shaken when, during the course of the recording session, he learns that Gideon is gay and has AIDS.

Productions

The Last Session was produced Off-Off-Broadway at the Currican Theater in May 1997, directed by Mike Wills and featuring Bob Stillman as Gideon.[4] The musical next was presented Off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre, running from October 17, 1997 to March 1, 1998. Directed by Jim Brochu, the cast featured Bob Stillman as "Gideon," Grace Garland as Trisha, Amy Coleman as Vicki, Dean Bradshaw as Jim and Stephen Bienskie as Buddy.[2][5]

The musical was nominated for the New York Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical[6] and the Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical by the New York Outer Critics Circle.[5]

A subsequent production in Los Angeles opened at the Laguna Playhouse and then transferred to the Tiffany Theatre, beginning in December 1998. The production featured two cast members from New York, Bob Stillman and Amy Coleman. New cast members included Michelle Mais (Tryshia), P.M. Howard and Joel Traywick [7] [8] (who went on to be nominated for the Theatre LA Ovation Award for Featured Actor).[9]

The musical was produced at the Tristan Bates Theatre, London, from September 25, 2012 to October 27. Directed by Guy Retallack, Darren Day stars as Gideon. A recording of this production was made by JAY Records.[10]

An original cast album was recorded with elaborate packaging and a vocal selections book was published by Cherry Lane Music.

Critical response

The CurtainUp reviewer of the 1997 Off-Broadway production called the musical "life affirming" and wrote: "'The Last Session' combines an affecting story, songs you'll want to hear again... it's original and funny, enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable. It is not a depressing show about a disturbing subject." [2]

The Variety review of the 1998 Los Angeles production called the musical "cathartic and often hilarious musical".[8]

Current status

The show continues to receive productions including such cities as Baltimore (1999);[11] Rochester NY; Uptown Players at Trinity River Arts Center, Dallas in 2002[12](which also recorded a cast album); Omaha (1999);[13] Denver, Chicago and Indianapolis (which also recorded their own cast album).[14]

Brochu[15] and Schalchlin have created another musical, which, among other things, traces the history of The Last Session titled The Big Voice: God or Merman?.[16] The musical ran Off-Broadway in 2006.[17][18]

Composer Steve Schalchlin maintains his online diary called "Living In The Bonus Round".[19]

Awards
  • New York Drama League Award - Outstanding Production of a Musical nomination[6]
  • New York Outer Critics Circle - Best Off-Broadway Musical nomination [5]
  • Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards - Nominated for Best Musical, Leading Actor/Musical (Stillman), and Featured Actor/Musical (Joel Traywick)[9]
  • GLAAD Media Award - Best L.A. Theatrical Production
  • LA Drama Critics Circle - Best Score, Best Book, Musical Direction (Barry Fassman and Bob Stillman), Best Supporting Actress Michelle Mais[20]

References
  1. Shenton, Mark. "Schalchlin and Brochu's 'The Last Session' To Receive U.K. Premiere at London's Tristan Bates Theatre" Playbill, June 18, 2002
  2. Sommer, Elyse. "Review. The Last Session" curtainup.com, October 18, 1997
  3. Howard, Jerry. "Review. 'The Last Session' at The Laguna Playhouse" talkinbroadway.com, accessed October 31, 2015
  4. Marks, Peter. "Theater in Review" New York Times, May 26, 1997
  5. "'The Last Session' 1997" lortel.org, accessed October 30, 2015
  6. Simonson, Robert and Viagas, Robert. "'Ragtime', 'Beauty Queen', 'Cabaret' Win Drama League Awards May 8" Playbill, May 8, 1998
  7. Manus, Willard. "L.A. Laguna 'Last Session' Reopens At Tiffany Dec. 5" Playbill, December 4, 1998
  8. Martinez, Julio. "Review. 'The Last Session'" Variety, December 7, 1998
  9. Lefkowitz, David. "L.A.'s Ovation Awards Announced Nov. 8; David Hyde Pierce Hosts" Playbill, November 8, 2015
  10. Hetrick, Adam and Shenton, Mark. "London Production of 'The Last Session', Starring Darren Day, Will Get JAY Records Cast Album" Playbill, October 19, 2012
  11. Rousuck, J. Wynn. "'Sound' not like real life" Baltimore Sun, September 20, 1999
  12. Liner, Elaine. "Dance: 3, Looks: 3" September 12, 2002
  13. The Last Session snapproductions.com, 1999, accessed October 31, 2015
  14. The Last Session thelastsession.com
  15. "Brochu" jimbrochu.com
  16. The Big Voice thebigvoice.com
  17. Gans, Andrew. "'The Big Voice: God or Merman?' Arrives Off-Broadway Nov. 25" Playbill, November 25, 2006
  18. Portantiere, Michael. "'The Big Voice: God or Merman?'" theatremania.com, November 30, 2006
  19. "Bonus Round" bonusround.com
  20. Shirley, Don. "Revivals Dominate Drama Critics Circle Awards for '98" Los Angeles Times, March 17, 1999
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