“The theme? Hmmm.” Director Michael Muthu pauses for a minute to think before stating with a flourish: “Good versus evil.” As far as themes for rock operas go, this one’s a classic. As it turns out, Muthu’s upcoming production ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is all about the classics: familiar music, established performers and a script woven out of the rock band Queen’s best-loved songs.
“We did a Floyd concert last time, and that did really well,” says Muthu, “So this year, we wanted to celebrate Queen.” They first tried to write a script based on Freddie Mercury’s life. (Voted as one of the greatest singers in history, he was lead vocalist and lyricist for Queen.) “But with all the drama and his illness, it just seemed too depressing for the season — so instead we created a story using our favourite songs.”
After listening to about 50 songs, Muthu and his cast started putting them all together. “We used songs that lent themselves to the story. And also, our favourites. We are trying to stick to the original music and lyrics as far as possible, though I’ve written in a few verses to tie it all together.”
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The line-up sounds promising. Popular city rock band Roxygen, featuring lead singer Timothy Madhukar, Jim Sathya on the keyboard, Keith Peters on bass, Sudhin Prabhakar on rhythm guitar and Josh Mark on lead guitar, will be performing. The cast of Boardwalkers and key voices trained by Augustine Paul (conductor of the Madras Musical Association choir) will support the band. Jeffrey Vardon of the Hot Shoe Dance Company has choreographed the dance sequences.
Produced by Promodh Sharma and directed by Michael Muthu, the event is being organised by Rotary Club of Madras South at Sir Mutha Venkata Subba Rao Concert Hall, Lady Andal School, Chetpet on December 7 at 7 p.m.
Expect to hear all the classics: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’. And then some. Because as Mike states, “It’s a story, it’s not just a concert.”
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The title sponsor of this event is Creations Promoters and Developers, and the associate sponsors are MMRT 42, State Bank Of India, Slice and Audi. The Hindu is the print partner for the event. Tickets are available exclusively at eventjini.com. Call 76674 02888 for delivery. Proceeds from the concert will be used for community service projects of Rotary Club of Madras South.