The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
Mainstage Theater
Co-produced with New York Theater Workshop.
Book, Lyrics, Story by
Joy Gregory
Lyrics, Music, Story by
Gunnar Madsen
Story by
John Langs
Directed by John Langs
They defined cult status – and were gone in the blink of an eye. Fremont, NH, the early 70s. A working class dad has a vision of rock n’ roll destiny for his three talentless daughters, convinced they're his family’s one-way ticket out of hardship and obscurity. But the girls have ideas of their own – and as their father’s ambition turns to obsession, the price of familial obligation becomes all too clear. Based on a true story.
Photos of (1) Jamey Hood, Emily Walton, and Sarah Sokolovic; (2) Peter Friedman, Annie Golden, Sarah Sokolovic, Emily Walton, and Jamey Hood; (3) Steve Routman and Kevin Cahoon; and (4) Company by Joan Marcus.
“FOUR STARS – CRITICS’ PICK! A captivating and bravely weird new musical that elicits sweet harmonies from the world’s worst rock band. There are deep, disturbing joys to be had in this oddball-underdog odyssey. "The Shaggs" deserves a serious listen.”
— David Cote, Time Out New York“Remarkably – insistently – memorable. Peter Friedman is astonishing. ”
— Jeremy Gerard, Bloomberg News
“Sweetly Shaggs-adelic and genuinely heartbreaking. ”
— Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post