Published: September 21, 2006 11:20 pm         

‘High Fidelity’ hits musical high note

BOSTON — People loved it as a movie. But will they love it as a musical?

Audiences can decide for themselves when “High Fidelity” makes its world premiere at Boston’s Colonial Theatre on Tuesday before it heads to Broadway.

The show stars Will Chase and Jenn Colella as Rob and Laura, the record store owner and his latest ex-girlfriend. Rob knows everything about rock music and almost nothing about women.

In the story, based on Nick Hornby’s novel, Rob weathers a painful breakup, leading him to revisit his top five painful breakups to see what’s going wrong in his relationships.

Already a film starring John Cusack, the idea for turning the story into musical theater came from composer Tom Kitt and lyricist Amanda Green, who collaborated in the past on “Up The Week Without A Paddle.”

“The thing I love about it is the humor. These characters are rich, they are funny, they are people I like,” said Green, the daughter of legendary Broadway lyricist Adolf Green. “It was a great opportunity to write fun and complicated and rich and strong.”

Green said that she and Kitt tried to stay true to the characters and story, while creating their own entity on the American musical theater stage.

“It’s a musical, it’s been a film,” she said, “but it’s also very much in the spirit of the book, and the characters and their sensibilities.”

After receiving an e-mail from Hornby, who heard some early demos three years ago, Kitt and Green feel they have succeeded.

“(Hornby) wrote that we managed to write songs that Rob wouldn’t hate. That was a ringing endorsement for him, I think,” Green said. “He has been very hands-off and lovely and can’t wait to come see it.”

Chase’s portrayal of Rob is very different from the movie version, and probably more in line with what readers of the book would envision.

“John Cusack’s Rob would never sing, he was such a downer in that movie,” Chase said. “He was such an epitome of a slacker.”

What makes a singing Rob work in this show, Chase says, is simple: music is the language of the show, unlike the book and the movie.

“We are singing from the get-go,” he said. “The language of the event is musical. It’s about how he chooses to tell the story.”



Rosemary Ford writes for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Mass.



Who's who

Will Chase (Rob): Numerous stage credits, including Broadway productions of “Aida,” “Lennon,” “Rent,” “The Full Monty” and “Miss Saigon.”

Jenn Colella (Laura): Starred on Broadway in “Urban Cowboy.”

Christian Anderson (Dick): Yearlong run on Broadway as Nicky and Trekkie Monster in “Avenue Q;” also appeared on Broadway in “Rent” and the national tour of “The Full Monty.”

Jay Klaitz (Barry): Trained at Harvard and the American Repertory Theatre, where he appeared in “Uncle Vanya.”

Tom Kitt (Composer): Worked as musical director, arranger, conductor/pianist, with Broadway credits including “Laugh Whore” and “Bombay Dreams.”

Amanda Green (Lyrics): Wrote additional lyrics for the 2004 revival of “Hallelujah Baby.” As a singer-songwriter, performed at Carnegie Hall, Second Stage, and elsewhere.

David Lindsay-Abaire (Book): Most recently on Broadway with his play “Rabbit Hole,” nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play.

Walter Bobbie (Director): Tony Award winner as Best Director for the long-running revival of “Chicago;” nominated for two other Tony Awards.



If You Go

What: “High Fidelity”

Where: Colonial Theatre, Boylston Street, Boston

r When: Tuesday through Oct. 22

Tickets: $40 to $112.50. Call 617-931-2787, visit the box office, or go to www.Ticketmaster.com