The Last Session
Encyclopedia
The Last Session is an off-Broadway
musical about a singer/songwriter who has decided to commit suicide to end his battle with AIDS
, but only after one last recording session in the studio.
, who wrote the gospel-inspired music while partner Jim Brochu
is credited with writing the dialogue—additional lyrics by John Bettis
& Marie Cain. With a cult following, based largely on one of the pioneering blogs to hit the internet, the show achieved remarkable success, given the relative obscurity of its creators. It has received numerous awards and continues to be produced in various parts of the country.
as "Gideon," an ex-gospel singer turned pop star who has scheduled a final recording session. He invites his old band to join him including professional back-up singer Tryshia (Grace Garland), failed rock singer turned Mary Kay Cosmetics salesperson, Vicki (Amy Coleman), studio engineer Jim (Dean Bradshaw) and, unexpectedly, a young Texas
gospel singer, Buddy (Stephen Bienskie). Buddy has idolized Gideon his entire lifetime and has come to Los Angeles
to meet him and to follow in his footsteps to cross over from gospel to pop. His world is shaken when, during the course of the session, he learns Gideon is both gay and has AIDS.
An original cast album was recorded with elaborate packaging and a vocal selections book was published by Cherry Lane Music. The show was nominated for Best Musical by the NY Drama League and the NY Outer Critics Circle.
A subsequent production in Los Angeles began at the Laguna Playhouse and then transferred to the Tiffany Theater on Sunset Blvd. It featured two cast members from New York, Bob Stillman & Amy Coleman. New cast members included Michelle Mais playing Tryshia, P.M. Howard and Joel Traywick (who went on to receive the Theatre LA Ovation Award for Best Actor).
New York Outer Critics Circle
Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards
GLAAD Media Award
LA Drama Critics Circle
:
And many others in local productions around the United States.
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
musical about a singer/songwriter who has decided to commit suicide to end his battle with AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, but only after one last recording session in the studio.
Overview
The show is heavily influenced with themes of love, religion and acceptance. The story is loosely based on the life of Steve SchalchlinSteve Schalchlin
Steve Schalchlin is an American songwriter, actor and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the first HIV/AIDS bloggers, beginning his in 1996 to keep family and friends updated on his failing health. When he responded well to a last ditch effort in treatment by his doctor, he found out that...
, who wrote the gospel-inspired music while partner Jim Brochu
Jim Brochu
Jim Brochu is an American actor, writer, director, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, he studied at Carnegie-Mellon University and received his B.A. from St. Francis College. His stage debut was in a production of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew...
is credited with writing the dialogue—additional lyrics by John Bettis
John Bettis
John Bettis is an American lyricist who has co-written many famous popular songs over the years. In 2011, John was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame....
& Marie Cain. With a cult following, based largely on one of the pioneering blogs to hit the internet, the show achieved remarkable success, given the relative obscurity of its creators. It has received numerous awards and continues to be produced in various parts of the country.
History
"The Last Session" was originally produced off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre in 1997. The cast consisted of Bob StillmanBob Stillman
Bob Stillman is an American actor, singer, and songwriter.He studied piano at Juilliard, and made his broadway debut in Grand Hotel as Erik; was a replacement cast member in Kiss of the Spider Woman; gave a Tony nominated performance as a pianist and actor in Broadway's Dirty Blonde, played a...
as "Gideon," an ex-gospel singer turned pop star who has scheduled a final recording session. He invites his old band to join him including professional back-up singer Tryshia (Grace Garland), failed rock singer turned Mary Kay Cosmetics salesperson, Vicki (Amy Coleman), studio engineer Jim (Dean Bradshaw) and, unexpectedly, a young Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
gospel singer, Buddy (Stephen Bienskie). Buddy has idolized Gideon his entire lifetime and has come to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to meet him and to follow in his footsteps to cross over from gospel to pop. His world is shaken when, during the course of the session, he learns Gideon is both gay and has AIDS.
An original cast album was recorded with elaborate packaging and a vocal selections book was published by Cherry Lane Music. The show was nominated for Best Musical by the NY Drama League and the NY Outer Critics Circle.
A subsequent production in Los Angeles began at the Laguna Playhouse and then transferred to the Tiffany Theater on Sunset Blvd. It featured two cast members from New York, Bob Stillman & Amy Coleman. New cast members included Michelle Mais playing Tryshia, P.M. Howard and Joel Traywick (who went on to receive the Theatre LA Ovation Award for Best Actor).
Current status
The show continues to receive productions including such cities as Baltimore, Rochester NY, Dallas (which also recorded a cast album), Omaha, Denver, Chicago and Indianapolis (which also recorded their own cast album). A site is maintained at http://www.thelastsession.com and its creators, Jim Brochu & Steve Schalchlin have created another award winning musical (which, among other things, traces the history of The Last Session) called "The Big Voice: God or Merman?" (http://www.thebigvoice.com). Composer Steve Schalchlin still maintains his online diary called "Living In The Bonus Round" at http://www.bonusround.com and playwright/actor Jim Brochu's website is http://www.jimbrochu.com.Awards
New York Drama League- Best Musical nomination
New York Outer Critics Circle
- Best Off-Broadway Musical nomination
Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards
- Nominated for Best Musical
- Best Supporting Actor Joel Traywick
GLAAD Media Award
- Best L.A. Theatrical Production
LA Drama Critics Circle
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards is an annual awards program presented by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle . Established in 1969, the awards recognize excellence in theatre in the Greater Los Angeles Area....
:
- Best Score
- Best Book
- Best Production
- Best Supporting Actress Michelle Mais
And many others in local productions around the United States.