The Theory of Relativity (musical)

{{Short description|Canadian 2014 musical}}

{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}

{{Infobox Musical

|name = The Theory of Relativity

|image = TheTheoryOfRelativity-Musical-Poster-2016.jpg

|caption = Original stage musical poster

|music = Neil Bartram

|lyrics = Neil Bartram

|book = Brian Hill

|basis =

|productions = 2014 Goodspeed Musicals

|awards =

}}

The Theory of Relativity is a musical with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram, and a book by Brian Hill. The show explores how young adults deal with their personal feelings and situations and how they develop communities based on their shared experiences.

Plot

The musical, featuring songs and monologues, explores how young adults, searching for human connection, deal with their personal feelings and situations and, as well, how they develop communities based on their shared experiences.

Productions

The musical was commissioned by Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College in Toronto in 2012. The show was first presented in 2014 as part of the Festival of New Musicals at Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, Connecticut. Later, in the Spring of 2015, the musical was presented more fully in the Norma Terris Theatre at Goodspeed Musicals.{{cite news |author=Staff |title=The Theory of Relativity - A New Musical |url=https://www.goodspeed.org/shows/the-theory-of-relativity |date=2015 |work=Goodspeed Musicals |access-date=May 28, 2021 }}

In 2020 and 2021, The Theory of Relativity was the most produced high school musical in Music Theatre International's catalog.

Song List

The Original Cast Recording (various artists) was produced by PS Classics in 2016.{{cite news |author=Staff |title=The Theory of Relativity Album Released Today |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-theory-of-relativity-album-released-today |date=April 29, 2016 |work=Playbill |access-date=May 28, 2021 }}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

  • Person A
  • Relativity
  • I'm Allergic To Cats
  • Pi, Part 1
  • The End of the Line
  • The End of the Line Playoff
  • Great Expectations
  • Relativity (Reprise 1)
  • Footprint
  • Pi, Part 2
  • Lipstick
  • Apples & Oranges
  • Me & Ricky
  • Promise Me This
  • Julie's song
  • Pi, Part 3
  • Relative Pitch
  • You Will Never Know
  • Person A (Reprise)
  • Nothing Without You

{{div col end}}

Response

Reviewer Michael Grossberg of The Columbus Dispatch writes, "Refreshingly youthful in topic and tone, “The Theory of Relativity” is a modest but winsome ensemble musical with rueful insights and lilting melodies that evoke a pivotal stage of life with moving freshness".{{cite news |last=Grossberg |first=Michael |title=Theater review: Otterbein's first streaming musical 'The Theory of Relativity' brims with beautiful vocals, honest emotions |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/2020/10/09/otterbeins-first-streaming-musical-the-theory-relativity-brims-beautiful-vocals-honest-emotions/5935143002/ |date=October 9, 2020 |work=The Columbus Dispatch |access-date=May 28, 2021 }} Reviewer Jared Echevarria of Broadway World notes that the musical has "well-written songs" and is a "coming-of-age story that would surely remind you of how you were in your student years".{{cite news |last=Echevarria |first=Jared |title=BWW Review: "The Theory of Releativity" Boasts Well-Written Songs, Simple Story |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/BWW-Review-THE-THEORY-OF-RELATIVITY-Boasts-Well-Written-Songs-Simple-Story-20190926 |date=September 26, 2019 |work=Broadway World |access-date=May 28, 2021 }} Reviewer Breeze Barrington of LondonTheatre1 comments that the musical is "an unexpected delight", and that in the show, by being set on the science of Einstein's theory, "we [experience] the randomness of human life and interaction, and [see] first-hand the ‘messiness’ that human's feel and experience on a daily basis". This reviewer concludes, "I defy anyone, whatever may be happening in their lives, to leave this production without feeling renewed hope, being profoundly uplifted, and having learned at least a little bit more about science."{{cite news |last=Barrington |first=Breeze |title=Review of The Theory of Relativity at The Drayton Arms |url=https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/review-of-the-theory-of-relativity-at-the-drayton-arms/ |date=July 5, 2017 |work=LondonTheatre1 |access-date=May 28, 2021 }}

See also

References

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