The New York International Fringe Festival will bring 200 shows to NYC from August 12-28. We spoke with writer Brandon Alter about the musical comedy Brandonna Summer Lives, Live.
What was the first musical that made you want to make musicals?
Falsettos was musical that impacted me from a young age. It changed my whole frame of reference for what a musical could be.
Tell us about your show in 3 sentences or less.
Absolutely fucking gorgeous. Oh wait did you say three sentences? I thought you said three words.
This show bounces between the emotionally raw humor of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the imaginative enthusiasm of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. Brandonna herself is a scintillating mixture of old Hollywood glamour and new age spirituality and this show, Brandonna Summer Lives, Live, is a heartfelt offering for all her friends and fans. It's a show about owning yourself completely, including your mistakes... And Brandonna would be the first to admit, she's made plenty but never with her outfits.
Describe the sound of your musical, it's like _______ meets _________
Funny Girl meets classic Cher with just enough disco to keep you moving, babies.
Who is your favorite classic musical theater composer? And your favorite composer working today?
Sondheim because obviously, but I'm not sure he's considered classic yet, which is a shame. So, Kander and Ebb for sure -- I'm randomly obsessed with Steel Pier. And contemporary, William Finn because I just adore his characters, flawed and fabulous.
Why is it important to bring your show to Fringe?
Because Brandonna is the high-priestess of self empowerment and she's desperate to return amongst her people! Life has been rough for all of us recently and we all deserve to laugh a lot and maybe discover ourselves more deeply along the way.
What's next for the show?
Everything! Brandonna came to NYC to find some sugar daddies or mommies to take her to the Great White Way! All those international tours and running from the DEA has left her longing to find her own little corner in NYC... Well maybe not little!
