Lennon Musical Courts Controversy???

A new musical based on the songs of the late John Lennon and authorised by his widow Yoko Ono has hit another snag (See The Goss, 9 Dec 2003). Due to open tonight (4 August 2005) at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre, Lennon has instead cancelled this evening’s show and rescheduled its press performance for 14 August 2005. British producer Allan McKeown (who was also one of the original backers of Jerry Springer – The Opera) said that the reason for the delay is in order to add another song and fundamentally rework the opening and closing scenes. Amongst other troubles surrounding the show to date are rumours that director Don Scardino had been replaced by David Leveaux, and complaints from Lennon’s one-time mistress May Pang that she as well as Lennon’s Beatles’ band members had been all but erased from the singer-songwriter’s story in favour of Ono. Lennon - which is billed as “a musical biography, a concert and a celebration all in one” – had its premiere in San Francisco earlier this year and started previews in New York on 7 July. Ono has previously explained that she gave her consent to the project because: "Over the past two decades, I have been experiencing the feedback from the world to John's life, statements and music. I realised what John had meant to the world. He was a catalyst who brought down the hypocrisy and the old world establishments by saying 'Gimme Some Truth'. What we present on stage should again give people insight, encouragement, inspiration and fun, so they can go on with their lives with some assurance and hope."

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