Lazarus (musical)

Lazarus
Off-Broadway promotional poster
MusicDavid Bowie
LyricsDavid Bowie
BookEnda Walsh
BasisThe Man Who Fell to Earth
by Walter Tevis
Productions

Director Ivo van Hove
Musical Director Henry Hey

Arranger Henry Hey

Lazarus is a jukebox musical featuring the music of David Bowie with a book by Enda Walsh. Inspired by the 1963 novel The Man Who Fell To Earth by Walter Tevis, Lazarus continues the story of Thomas Newton, a humanoid alien who is stuck on Earth, unable to die or return to his home planet. Lazarus had its world premiere Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop on 18 November 2015 and played until 20 January 2016. The show then made the transfer to the West End at King's Cross Theatre in London, playing from 25 October 2016 to 22 January 2017.

Lazarus was one of the last works Bowie completed before his death on January 10, 2016. Bowie's last public appearance was when he attended the 7 December 2015 opening night of the off-Broadway production.[1] The New York City Mayor's office declared 20 January 2016 - closing night of the off-Broadway production - to be David Bowie Day; the proclamation was presented to managing director Jeremy Blocker at the curtain call of the final show.[2]

The original cast album was scheduled to be recorded on 11 January 2016, the day following Bowie's death.[3] The cast and musicians were informed of his death upon arriving at studio before recording.[4]

  1. ^ Adams, Char. "Bowie's final public appearance". People. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Mayor's Office Declares Wednesday 'David Bowie Day'". CBS Local – New York. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  3. ^ "David Bowie's Lazarus Musical Records Cast Album". Playbill. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Lazarus album". Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.