Sidd - The Musical

[sabaijai]

Musical based on Hesse's Siddhartha to open in New York

Indo-Asian News Service, February 1, 2006

New York (New York) Sidd, a new musical based on the novel Siddhartha by Nobel Prize winning German author Hermann Hesse, is set to open here February 23.

This musical reincarnation of Siddhartha testifies to the continuing influence of the book published in 1922 and one of Hesse's most widely read works. While performances of Sidd will begin on February 23, the musical will have its official opening on March 22.

Sidd chronicles the journey of a man from his early wanderings in his home village, through jazz and glamour and corruption of the city, to his meeting with the Buddha and ultimately to enlightenment.

Sidd features a diverse cast of seven actors accompanied onstage by piano, cello and percussion trio. The music and lyrics are by Doug Silver and direction and additional lyrics are by Andrew Frank. The musical's eclectic scores draws on various influences.

The novel, Siddhartha, is based on the early life of Gautama Buddha and tells the story of a Brahman son who rebels against his father's teaching and traditions. Eventually he finds the ultimate enlightenment.

The book reveals the strong influence of India on Hesse's upbringing and on his mature worldview. Hesse's mother was born in India and was the daughter of missionary and Indologist Hermann Gundert. Hesse's parents expected him to follow the family tradition in theology - they had served as missionaries in India.

Hesse himself visited India in 1911, acquiring a lifelong interest in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1614157,0011.htm

[robitusson]

The people in Hollywood and New York will market anything.

[thaibebop]

I think I am going to be sick!

Why can't my countrymen leave something in this world sacred?

[suegha]

Oh wow! Some people have no taste, it reads like a spoof or is it April 1st?

[kayo]

jez... da*n them all to hel_l.

[chownah]

I think that they should get Mick Jaggar to come on and sing "Satisfaction" and then have Sidd give him advice on how he can end Dukkha.

[camerata]

I remember the movie was disappointingly week compared to the book. It's difficult to make the quest for enlightenment interesting to a general audience.

[sabaijai]

I remember the movie was disappointingly week compared to the book. It's difficult to make the quest for enlightenment interesting to a general audience.

I remember the movie, too, which was unintentionally funny in some parts.

Re the musical, I guess if they can do Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph & the Technicoloured Dreamcoat they should be able to handle a story based on the Buddha's life.

Remember, too, that the novel isn't about the Buddha, it's about a guy named Siddartha on a similar quest who happens to meet the Buddha at one point. If Hesse can write fiction, then a play or a musical isn't that much of a stretch.

Agree with camerate, though, it's hard to pull off.