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Roundabout Roundup: Looking Back at ‘Sons of the Prophet’

 

Sons of the Prophet Complete Cast Announced
August 4, 2011

We are pleased to announce the full cast of the New York premiere of Stephen Karam’s new play Sons of the Prophet, directed by Peter DuBois. The cast will feature Yusef Bulos (Bill), Jonathan Louis Dent (Vin), Santino Fontana (Joseph), Joanna Gleason (Gloria), Lizbeth Mackay (Ms. McAndrews), Dee Nelson (Dr. Manor), Chris Perfetti (Charles), Charles Socarides (Timothy).

Read the entire article.

Sons of the Prophet Opens
October 20, 2011

Sons of the Prophet opened to great acclaim on October 20, 2011 at the Harold & Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, Laura Pels Theatre. 
Read the Review Roundup.


Another Commission for Sons of the Prophet Playwright, Stephen Karam
October 26, 2011


We are pleased to announce a second commission to playwright Stephen Karam following his critically acclaimed first commission of Sons of the Prophet.

Karam’s play Sons of the Prophet is part of our New Play Initiative, a collection of programs, designed to foster and produce new work by emerging and established artists. Since 1995, Roundabout has commissioned 15 playwrights, conducted developmental readings and workshops of over 100 new works, produced 6 Roundabout Underground productions, 30 mainstage productions of new works and employed over 5,000 artists across all aspects of the New Play Initiative.

Read the entire article.

Stephen Karam Blogs for Roundabout

Stephen Karam's blog posts gave us insight into his process: from the first days of putting pen to paper to conceiving the sounds for the show.

“I thought 'Relief' embodied the emotional landscape I was trying to create–emotional and hopeful and sad…but not sentimental (this is my opinion, of course)."

Relief
[audio:http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Roundabout/media/Media/Relief.mp3]

Read Stephen Karam's Blog Posts

Sons of the Prophet Recognized Among Top 10 of 2011 by The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Newsday
December 20, 2011

We are thrilled several Roundabout productions from the past year have landed in multiple “Top 10″ lists of 2011. Check out the lists below for some highlights of “Best of 2011″ coverage!

Read the entire article.

Jonathan Louis Dent, Chris Perfetti, Santino Fontana and Yusef Bulos in 'Sons of the Prophet'; Photo Credit: Joan Marcus, 2011

Santino Fontana and Sons of the Prophet wants you to let it out!

This video was created in partnership with Brooklyn School for Music and Theatre and Brooklyn School for Global Studies, two of Roundabout Theatre Company's partner high schools. The video was conceived by Santino Fontana who plays Joseph in Stephen Karam's Sons of the Prophet.


Related Categories:
2011-2012 Season, Education @ Roundabout, Roundabout Roundup, Sons of the Prophet, Stephen Karam's Blog


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On Music

 

I want to highlight the music we use in Sons of the Prophet, composed by
Nico Muhly.

Nico Muhly & Stephen Karam

Our sound designer M. L. Dogg (or Mutt) deftly weaves Nico’s music throughout the show during Peter DuBois’ beautifully orchestrated transitions. Nico’s music speaks for itself. Here are a couple samples, which can all be found on iTunes (most are from his Decca album “I Drink The Air Before Me”):

Salty Dog
[audio:http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Roundabout/media/Media/I-Drink-The-Air-Before-Me_Salty-Dog.mp3]

Music Under Pressure #3
[audio:http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Roundabout/media/Media/I-Drink-The-Air-Before-Me_Music-Under-Pressure-3_Ensemble.mp3]

The song that ends the show is called “Relief”, arranged by Nico, sung by the incomparable Sam Amidon (Sam’s albums are all on iTunes). When I first heard this song, I was in physical therapy (and was fascinated by nerve glides—the closest I ever got to feeling like a ballet dancer), and I would practice them to “Relief”.

Nerve Glides

Sons of the Prophet is likely the only time I can claim the credit of both Dance Captain and Arm-Choreographer as well as playwright.

I discovered Mark Abernathy’s version of Come, Come, Ye Saints (All Is Well) on YouTube:

After sending Mark the script (which I thought was the best proof that the play isn’t mocking anyone’s faith) Mark was kind enough to re-record it for Mutt so we could use it in the show. Nico then added a few instrumental kicks to help it fit into the soundscape of our show.

Back to “Relief”. I thought it embodied the emotional landscape I was trying to create–emotional and hopeful and sad…but not sentimental (this is my opinion, of course).

Relief
[audio:http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Roundabout/media/Media/Relief.mp3]

More remarkable is that it’s a remake of an R Kelly song. Nico/Sam made a poignant, heart-rending song out of an R Kelly song that is, well, not so poignant and heart-rending.


Okay who am I kidding I like the R Kelly version too.

Nico Muhly & Stephen Karam

Sons of the Prophet is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre through January 1, 2012. For more information, click here.


Related Categories:
2011-2012 Season, Sons of the Prophet, Stephen Karam's Blog


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On Opening

 

We opened!

The final week of previews reminds me of that Paul Valéry quote (that is also attributed to about 100 other people):

A poem is never finished, only abandoned in despair.

I don’t abandon my plays in despair during the final week of previews. But I do find myself still refining the play and making discoveries and then suddenly…there are critics in the house. And so you just have to stop. You stop re-writing so that the cast can have some stability (and remember their lines).

... Read More →


Related Categories:
2011-2012 Season, Sons of the Prophet, Stephen Karam's Blog


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