People Are Wrong!
People Are Wrong! is a musical, the production of which included John Flansburgh and many other TMBG collaborators. From www.peoplearewrong.net:
Bringing together some of the finest talents from the rock world and New York theater, People Are Wrong! is a manic and joyful celebration of melody and musical fable. Based on a true story, this cautionary tale of a charismatic cult leader masquerading as a landscape artist in a rural upstate town is told entirely in song. The show stars David Driver (Rent), Grammy-winner John Flansburgh (of They Might Be Giants), Maggie Moore (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Chris Anderson (of Muckafurgason). People are Wrong! also introduces the song-writing talents of Julia Greenberg and Robin Goldwasser to the musical stage. Backed up by the Loser's Lounge band and the inspired vocal group STC (Sean Altman, Tricia Scotti & Connie Petruk), this is the first original production to come out of this highly creative team. The Losers Band for this performance is Joe McGinty (musical director, keyboards), Jeremy Chatzky (musical director, bass), Clem Waldmann (drums), Kris Woolsey (guitar), and Jon Spurney (guitar).
Background[edit]
In an interview on www.gothamist.com, John Flansburgh said People Are Wrong! was originally conceived as a concept album much in the vein of Jesus Christ Superstar, with the couple in the play based on him and Robin. While Flans was very involved with the concept early on, he assumed a more minor role as it evolved. Robin Goldwasser and Julia Greenberg continued the concept development and writing on their own, with some input from Flansburgh. When the music was adapted into a stage production, Goldwasser and Greenberg reached out to John and John for help with booking, as well as taking part in performances. Flansburgh took the role of Russ, a homeowner, and John Linnell provided his saxophone and accordion talents.
Interestingly, while People Are Wrong! was a more traditional production, it was not John Flansburgh's first time as an actor. In the 80s he was in a performance art group called Watchface.
Musical numbers[edit]
A promotional CD was available for purchase, which included recordings of many of the songs featured in the production. Typically, when the musical was performed live, the songs followed this order:
- I Know What I Saw (Part 1) - Chainsaw Dick
- The Meeting Song - The Disciples, Chainsaw Dick, Joyce the Agway Manager
- Car Alarms / How Our Garden Grows (Part 1) - The Homeowners
- At The Agway - The Agway Staff
- Our Wedding - The Homeowners
- Perennials - Joyce
- Ponytail - Xanthus
- Who Is This Xanthus? (Part 1) - The Homeowners
- Xanthus Saves - Joyce, The Homeowners, The Disciples
- How Our Garden Grows (Part 2) - The Homeowners
- Chainsaw Dick - Chainsaw Dick
- Life Is Like A Boomerang - Xanthus, The Disciples
- Elizabeth X. Oliphant - The Homeowners
- Dear Old Plants - Xanthus, The Homeowners
- I Know What I Saw (Part 2) - Chainsaw Dick
- Dimension Six Rock - The Vision
- The Gravel's Coming With Us - Xanthus, The Disciples
- Who Is This Xanthus? (Part 2) - The Homeowners
- Xanthus, I'm Getting Nervous - Joyce, Xanthus
- Xanthus Fucked Us - The Homeowners
- People Are Wrong! - Disciple Olivia, Xanthus
- What World Do You Live In? - The Homeowners, Xanthus
- You'll Regret A Killing Spree - Xanthus, The Disciples, Chainsaw Dick
- I Know What You Saw - Joyce
- Go It Alone Song - Xanthus
- Enter X. Oliphant - Elizabeth X. Oliphant, The Disciples, The Homeowners
- The Beyond Ballet - The Cast
Credits[edit]
Cast[edit]
- Chris Anderson - Chainsaw Dick
- Xanthus' Disciples:
- Sean Altman / Todd Almond - Mikey
- Connie Petruk - Katie
- Tricia Scotti - Olivia
- Robin Goldwasser - Joyce
- The Homeowners:
- John Flansburgh - Russ
- Julia Greenberg / Erin Hill - Terri
- David Driver - Xanthus
- Maggie Moore / Mary Birdsong - The Vision / Elizabeth X. Oliphant
- Stephen Colbert - Narrator
Musicians[edit]
- The Loser's Lounge:
- Joe McGinty - Piano
- Jeremy Chatzky - Bass
- Clem Waldmann - Drums
- Kris Woosley / Dan Miller - Guitar
- Jon Spurney - Guitar
- STC (Sean Altman, Tricia Scotti, Connie Petruk) - Vocals
- John Linnell - Accordion, Saxophone
Crew[edit]
- Julia Greenberg and Robin Goldwasser - Writers
- David Herskovits - Director
- John Flansburgh - Producer
- Joe McGinty and Jeremy Chatzky - Musical Directors
- Jody Ripplinger - Choreographer
- G.W. Mercier - Set Design
- Mattie Ullrich - Costume Design
- Lenore Doxsee - Lighting Design
- Brian Speiser - Sound Design
