At “Almost Famous,” It’s (Almost) All Happening
Photo by Matt Murphy
The opinions reflected in this OpEd are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of staff, faculty and students of The King's College.
Broadway’s latest new musical is “Almost Famous,” a coming-of-age story based on the popular 2000 film of the same name. The musical opened on Nov. 3 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre following several months of anticipation and a successful pre-Broadway tryout at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 2019. “Almost Famous” is full of potential and vibrant energy, proudly declaring that “it's all happening” at the show. And although it misses the mark from time to time, the talented cast quickly picks the magic back up.
William Miller, an ambitious teenager (well, maybe, the truth about his age is involved in more than a few punchlines), is the protagonist of “Almost Famous.” While still in high school, he pursues his goal to become a rock and roll music critic despite the well-meaning, and as it turns out—accurate, concerns of his mother.
The musical covers Miller’s experience traveling with the up-and-coming rock and roll band “Stillwater” in 1973 while pursuing a cover story for Rolling Stone magazine. Although at the top of the play, an industry insider advises Miller to avoid making friends with the band members, the aspiring journalist is quickly sucked into the highs and lows of the band members’ lives.
Miller befriends the group’s guitarist and rising star, Russell Hammond, and his girlfriend, Penny Lane, who both accept him as part of the group and give him both a metaphorical and literal backstage pass to their professional and private lives. Miller eventually comes to realize the true motivations for the couple’s generosity—a puff piece in Rolling Stone magazine, written by Miller, to boost Hammond’s career.
Casey Likes makes his Broadway debut as Miller in “Almost Famous,” a performance that could earn him a few award nominations as a newcomer this season. Likes’ portrayal of an innocent young man in over his head is far from the only great acting on stage. It’s hard to criticize any members of the excellent cast (Casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA), but Solea Pfeiffer as the starry-eyed, savy dreamer Lane and Anika Larsen as Miller’s overprotective, concerned mother, Elaine standout.
Cameron Crowe, writer and producer of “Almost Famous” said in a brief interview that “this is a cast that truly loves each other.” After watching the energetic chemistry on stage, it’s hard not to agree with him. Crowe says that for him, the musical is autobiographical. It’s a project that he told me he has worked on for years to get to a Broadway stage.
For all of the energy and excellent acting, the show is still rough around the edges. A few scenes of dialogue, including our introduction to several main characters, are awkwardly worded. And while the small selection of famous songs from the 1970s will surely spark nostalgia for some, several of the new musical numbers written by Tom Kitt pull the audience out of the story instead of drawing them in further. But for all of its quirks, “Almost Famous” manages to stick the landing and leave the audience satisfied. Even if they aren’t blown away.
“Almost Famous” is currently running at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
Eli Johnson is the Theatre Columnist for the Empire State Tribune. He is a freshman at The King's College majoring in Business. He is an avid theatre-goer and always enjoys a game of chess.