by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan (Hoopla Music)
Few members of the British royal
family have engendered such love and attention in our lifetime as the ill-fated
Princess Diana. This stage musical features book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (Memphis,
Nice Work if You Can Get It) and music and lyrics by David Bryan (also
Memphis). Diana: The Musical‘s story is the life arc of
Diana Spencer from her first introduction to Prince Charles, at a formal event,
through the years of their courtship/marriage/divorce, to her untimely and
tragic demise.
Unlike feel-good princess-centered
fairytales, Diana: The Musical tells her story with honesty
and emotion, highlighting the complicated relationships between her, Charles
and Camilla Parker-Bowles, with the rest of the royal family as a backdrop —
Queen Elizabeth II is another major role in this musical. the songwriters don’t
shy away from controversy, choosing to portray some elements in that messy
family which are scandalous, and others which have been accusations over the
years but have never been proven.
Diana: The Musical was one of the victims of
COVID-19 shutting down Broadway. However, the producers had the foresight to
record a performance of the production, which has been available for viewing on
Netflix. The show returns to live Broadway performances again in November 2021,
and the soundtrack is available for purchase on CD. The libraries have the
soundtrack available only through out Hoopla digital service. Jeanna de Waal is
spectacular as Diana. Judy Kaye gives a heartfelt performance as Elizabeth II.
Erin Davie as Camilla and Gareth Keegan as James Hewitt are good in supporting
roles. Unfortunately, for my taste, Roe Hartrampf is poorly cast as Charles —
his singing voice is much higher-pitched than the actual Charles, and that
threw me out of the world of the play any time he sang. Royal apologists have
attacked Diana: The Musical as bending the truth beyond
acceptable levels, but I felt these songs told an emotional and engaging story,
which gibes with my memories from the years that Diana was in the public
spotlight. Your mileage may vary.
(If you enjoy this, you may also
wish to try Andrew Morton’s biography, Diana: Her True Story.)
( official Diana: The Musical
web site )
Recommended
by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service
Have you listened to this
one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
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