Composer

:

Marvin Hamlisch

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

"Jean, musical" is a musical composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by Ronald Harwood. The musical is based on the life of Jean Seberg, an American actress who became an icon of French New Wave cinema in the 1960s. The musical was composed in 1983 and premiered on Broadway on November 18, 1985, at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The production was directed by Tom O'Horgan and starred Donna McKechnie as Jean Seberg. The musical is divided into two acts and features 18 musical numbers. The first act focuses on Seberg's rise to fame as an actress in Hollywood and her move to France, where she becomes involved with the Black Panthers and falls in love with a French Algerian. The second act deals with the consequences of her political activism and her eventual suicide in 1979. The music of "Jean, musical" is characterized by Hamlisch's signature blend of pop and classical styles. The score features a mix of ballads, up-tempo numbers, and ensemble pieces, with highlights including "The Way You Look at Me," "The French Girl," and "The Black Panther Party." Despite its talented creative team and strong performances, "Jean, musical" received mixed reviews from critics and struggled at the box office. The production closed after only 5 performances, making it one of the shortest-running musicals in Broadway history. Despite its commercial failure, "Jean, musical" remains an interesting and unique entry in the musical theatre canon. Its exploration of political activism and the price of fame is still relevant today, and its score showcases Hamlisch's considerable talents as a composer.

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