Ben Lee is an Australian singer-songwriter who is no stranger to oddball cultural projects. Included in those projects is a full-album cover of Against Me!’s divisive major label label debut New Wave and an album of Islamic family music Ben Lee Sings Songs about Islam for the Whole Family.
Today he announces one of his most interesting, a musical version of Tom Robbins’ book B Is For Beer, according to Brooklyn Vegan. The project has attracted the talents of many singers, comedians and actors, lending their abilities to this one-of-a-kind adaptation of a “children’s book for grown-ups, an grown-up book for children.”
The explainer video details a 2010 trip that Lee made with his family while on holiday in Portland, OR to the world-famous Powell’s Books. Upon discovering this book that at the time was completely unknown to the singer (though he was obviously aware of Robbins’ more famous contributions to literature), he envisioned the title as a marquee, and the story translated into a piece of musical theater. Strange yes, inspired, even more so.
At the time, Lee had never even met Robbins. Robbins, being the eccentric and open-minded man that he is, loved the bizarre request to turn his “kid’s” book into a musical. As he proclaims in the video “strange is my middle name!” Unbelievably this project has been years in the making, “slowly but surely” making its way into the final product that appears to be ever-closer to reality. While the story may be set around the theme of beer, it is very much an existential exploration, all told through the eyes of a “seven, almost eight year old girl.”
Joining in on the production is a lovely plethora of actors and musicians, including Busy Phillips, Paul F. Tompkins and Belinda Carlisle.
Ben Lee plays “History of Wonder,” a song that is performed by Paul F. Tompkins in his role in the musical. Below that, Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Gos gives her rendition of a song from the musical – logically, based around that yeasty quaff we love so much.
Two actors also offer some assistance to the musical. Busy Phillips of Freaks and Geeks and Cougartown (and a ton of other shows/movies) lends a helping hand. Meanwhile comedian extraordinaire Paul F. Tompkins adds his uncanny vocal ability to the project.
You can help make this musical a reality. The project has a Kickstarter account, which with five days to go needs just under $9,000 to meet its goal.
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