A CHILLING REIMAGINING OF THE SAGA OF THE BLACK DAHLIA

[From www.davidjonline.com, where you can read the press release HERE. -Editor]

David J's THEATREFICATION

“Even the darkest scenario can result in transcendence.” – David J

“The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse” is a short form play with music by Los Angeles-based artist David J (Bauhaus and Love and Rockets), collaborating with Ego Plum (Ebola Music Orchestra). It premieres as part of THEATREFICATION, the event launching the City of Los Angeles’ “Broadway 100” celebration of the centennial of the downtown Broadway District on Saturday, March 26 at the Million Dollar Theatre.

“I am revisiting the ‘Black Dahlia’ song cycle that I originally composed for the independent feature film, ‘The Devil’s Muse’ directed by Ramzi Abed,” says David J, “In this new theatrical staging, I am reuniting with the arranger of the original cycle, Ego Plum. The music works as a framework around which another related story is interwoven.”

David J, who brought the story of Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick, “Silver for Gold”, to the Los Angeles stage to critical acclaim, has turned his attentions on the saga of the Black Dahlia. A legendary cold case that has long been a spot of tarnish on the glitter of Hollywood’s tinsel, the story of the murder and mutilation of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short has been a mystery that has baffled experts. The tale has been expounded upon and speculated upon in numerous essays, books, films, and now a new play with music. “The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse” is an exciting fusion of live music, a gripping story, black light illusion, and the talents of internationally acclaimed butoh performer Vangeline.

“The incorporation of butoh also feels very natural as it too is essentially about stripping performance down to the heart and bone,” adds David J, “I am extremely excited to be working with Vangeline as she is one of the finest exponents of this craft.”

The concept of short form musical theatre breaks from the classic notion of theatre, breaking from what have come to be restrictions of convention. With a running time of just under an hour, “The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse” presents theatre in a more accessible way, targeting a younger, hipper audience with a sitcom-length attention span. It was a format that was comfortable for David J.

“Writing in the short form is all about stripping down and condensing. To me, this is not so difficult as I have always felt something of an affinity with the spare approach,” confesses David J, “Initially this economic attitude was applied to my music (Bauhaus) and now it’s being applied to theatre.”

Tickets for THEATREFICATION, which pairs “The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse” with Helene Federici’s short form electropera, “ET Mostavy”, can be purchased online at www.theatrefication.com.

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