Go see this show if you like musical theater. It's a little on the bizarre side, but it has some hauntingly beautiful numbers, like the tear-jerking closer "Song of Purple Summer."
I annoyed my co-horts Chelene, Dale, John, Poor George, Arlene and Otis for about twenty minutes after the show trying to figure out the significance or meaning behind "Purple Summer." Chelene came up with a Prince-related theory, and Poor George told me to put a sock in it.
I did a small amount of Googling today but got sidetracked by writing my own piano arrangement of the tune. So, this is a call to all you bookworms out there - what is "Purple Summer?" I figure it must be a literary reference.
First reader with the correct answer gets serenaded over the phone.
20 comments:
Is it anything like Chocolate Rain?
CP, why don't you try emailing Duncan Sheik? Does he have a MySpace page?
Do you mean you think it is s specific literary reference? Or do you think that the use of the word purple is somehow meaningful and/or symbolic?
I don't know of any specific piece of literature that it is referring to, but "purple prose" refers to writing that is overwrought and filled with an excess of emotion and flowery language.
Or maybe it's code for totally gay, because you know, Tinky Winky is purple, and everyone knows he's gay.
I haven't heard the Prince theory in its entirety, but I'm inclined to agree with Chelene.
You got me on that one, Tanya.
Good point Chelene - and I bet he'd answer me on accounta I'm famous too.
Lu, I was thinking it might be a specific reference but your idea about "purple prose" could be it, since the show (which is based on a 100+ year old German play that was banned for 100 years on accounta its racy themes) is about the awakening sexual desires of teenagers - and we know all that teenage angst fits the description you provide. Sounds like you may win the contest; is it expensive to call Bangladesh?
I'm pretty sure you luuuuuve Prince, Beckeye, so I'm not surprised. And if you don't I'm still not surprised.
Contest #2; who knows from whence I derive my heavy use of the "on accounta" formula? There's no prize with this one save my adoring admiration.
It's called purple summer because purple is one of the most fruitful and fertile colors. The lyrics are about the beauty of the sensuality of the new side of themselves they've discovered, in no profain way at all... but it's about the joy of fully knowing yourself, and reveling in the knowlege they've learned over the course of the show. Thats what I heard anyway...
as much as I'd love to be serenaded over the phone I can't come up with anything
I'm with George on accounta...
It's all about summer of the dick, you know, on accounta the subject matter?
Or, I read somewhere online that it refers to a flower that blooms after a particularly harsh time or winter.
If you get a phone card it's not expensive at all to call me. Or you could come visit...
My name is well deserved....
pg
There are several possible answers in my mind. The purple may suggest abundant fruit, fields of lush Kentucky blue grass, or the color of you mortal enemy's face after you have closed his windpipe with a good two-handed grip. I would like to think of it as the color of a blossuming flower or a newly won hard-on.
I would prefer to think of it as blue grass and the smell it gives off after a summer rain, but that is just the romantic in me.
Doc
I think Doc is the winner. Skip the literary references; between the choking and the smut, his answers are the most appropriate in any situation.
Best freaking show EVER!! I went a few months ago and have front row seats for the January 15th show. The only thing that scares me is the fact that one of leads spits when he sings.
And forget Purple Summer, that song blows.
He's a huge spitter Catherine you're right, wear rain gear and goggles and you'll be okay.
I should have added this link when I first posted.
Or this one.
You mean, we have to think when we musical theater it?
woooohoooo you're on CP! you have my vote!
I don't know what it means, but I did download the song on iTunes and it is amazing!
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