Lennon Musical in the Works

Yoko Ono has given her approval for a Broadway musical based on the songs of John Lennon. With the working title The Lennon Project, the musical would draw from more than thirty of Lennon's solo songs as a backdrop to a story exploring the tumultuous 1960s and early 70s.

"Over the past two decades, I have been experiencing the feedback from the world to John's life, statements and music," Ono said in a statement released Wednesday. "I realized what John had meant to the world. He was a catalyst who brought down the hypocrisy and the old world establishments by saying 'Gimme Some Truth.' What we present on stage should again give people insight, encouragement, inspiration and fun, so they can go on with their lives with some assurance and hope."

The twelve-person show will be co-produced by Edgar Lansbury, who produced the 1973 movie version of the gospel musical Godspell, and theater producer/director Don Scardino. The actors, who have not yet been cast, are expected to portray different aspects of Lennon's personality. Scardino will direct the show from a script he is writing with playwright Eric Overmyer.

The show is planned for the 2004-2005 season.

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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