My project: An Adele Musical.

I first heard Adele's debut album, '19', when I was 9 years old, and that was the start of my education in female vocalists. I, like so many others, connected with her brassy sound. Her voice danced with the melody, scooping up notes, lingering on certain sounds, riffing on a lyric like a ballerina piruetting on point. She told a story with sound. She bridged my world of Aretha Franklin and James Taylor. How did pop music get here? Itunes was my time capsule. I searched for woman's legacy in pop music. I uncovered Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Brandy, Etta James, Carol King, and the list goes on. I was 'discovering' the most important women in contemporary music history. The more voices I listened to, the larger this legacy became. '19' led me to the edge of the forest, but now I was surrounded by trees. There was no limit to the number of species, of artists, I might encounter. There were thorned flowers and tall trees and funky funghi. Discovering these women and their is tremendously informative to who I am as an artist and as a person. I could find solace in their music when I felt misunderstood. I learned about hardship and love and womanhood through their albums. Billie Holiday's Lady In Satin and King's Tapestry were my gospels.

When Adele's third album, '25', released, I was 15 and restlessly trying to figure out my place in the world. The fall of my sophomore year, I was listening to the album on repeat. Here was one of the most successful young artists of the time, singing about disillusionment and personal growth and heartbreak. Adele became my life coach. The more I listened to the album in full rotation, the more connected each song felt to one another. A storyboard developed in my mind along each song title. I heard different characters in Adele's words. The songs were conversations, then confrontations, then conflicts.

I was riding in the backseat of my mom's car, with my headphone crammed in my ears, fully emersed in '25' when I saw a stage clearly in my mind. There were four actors on stage, two couples waltzing. They sang Adele's "All I ask". In my mind, Adele's album was a musical.

The Characters:

Eve (Evie)

A young journalist living in San Diego, the main character, is engaged to Benji. She is the protagonist in the play. Naive yet self assured.

Dorothy

Eve’s eventual roommate and best friend. Helps expose Eve to a more diverse world. A wild thang living in Chicago. Known to be promiscuous and has very confident attitude. Has slight drinking problem Alluded to having been sexually assaulted in the past. Sort of has this Holly from breakfast at tiffany’s vibe.

David

Eve’s eventual boyfriend. Shows Eve a more modern style of thinking where Dorothy shows her a more modern style of living. His occupation is never clarified.

Karen

Eve’s mom.

James

Eve’s Fiance.

Gwenyth Heart

A has been actress that shows Eve the pitfalls of a city life. Once a great actress now a run down drunk. She is an image of what Dorothy could become. Eve shows her a hope. Eve interviews her for an article that she uses to get in big magazines. She is also the storyteller of the entire show.

Oscar

Dorothy’s boyfriend (act I)

Lavinia

Head Dancer

More Updates on this project soon!

#Adele #musical #creativeproject