Cabaret & Concert NewsTaylor Mac to Perform A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Abridged) at Montclair Film FestivalThe 2017 MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist will perform selections from the acclaimed, epic solo show.
By
Olivia Clement
December 04, 2017
Taylor Mac will perform an abridged version of A 24-Decade History of Popular Music at the 2018 Montclair Film Festival in May. The acclaimed solo show (which in its entirety runs for 24 hours) won the 2017 Edward M. Kennedy Award for Drama and was a 2017 Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Drama.
The abridged show will be performed in the Wellmont Theater on May 4 at 7:30 PM. Mac will be joined onstage by a band and local special guests.
Featuring dazzling costumes and design, A 24-Decade History of Popular Music charts American history from 1776 to present day through 240 songs. The marathon concert piece (featuring a 24-piece orchestra and 76 special guests) received its world premiere at St. Ann’s Warehouse Off-Broadway last fall where it was presented as both a marathon performance and a series of concerts covering three decades each.
The show was lauded by critics, and earlier this year, the performance artist and playwright earned a 2017 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship.
A 24-Decade History of Popular Music is created, written, performed and co-directed by Mac, with co-direction by Niegel Smith. In addition to music direction and arrangements by Matt Ray and costume design by Machine Dazzle, the work features dramaturgy by Jocelyn Clarke, scenic design by Mimi Lien, and lighting design by John Torres. The show is produced by Pomegranate Arts (executive producer, Linda Brumbach; associate producer, Alisa Regas) and Mac’s company Nature’s Darlings.
Condensed versions of A 24-Decade History of Popular Music are also scheduled to play in Washington, D.C. and Tempe, Arizona, in 2018.