Photo by Rich Soublet.
Music and lyrics by Joe Iconis
Book by Joe Iconis and Gregory S. Moss
Originally produced at La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, CA
August 29 – October 8, 2023
Synopsis:
Anarchy. Ambition. Peacocks.
Who was Hunter S. Thompson? He changed journalism. He defined counterculture. Equal parts philosopher, clown and genius, he was armed and dangerous with a typewriter as his preferred weapon.
Careening from the 1940s to his death in 2005, this gonzo musical blasts into the life of one of America’s most influential and destructive icons. In relentless pursuit of the meaning of the American Dream during an era of political and social upheaval, Hunter S. Thompson cultivated a new form of journalism that ― for better or worse ― injected his subjective view into the heart of the story. Now, in another, even more severe moment of fake news, propaganda and polarization, Hunter’s story helps explore how we got here, and how to keep fighting.
Set to Joe Iconis’ anarchic and tuneful score, this musical is a rock ‘n’ roll thrill-ride into the life of an artist seeking greatness and coming to terms with his own legacy. It’s a heartfelt trumpet call to the moral idealists, the outraged, the outlaws and the outsiders.
Artistic Statement: La Jolla Playhouse and the Edgerton Foundation share a deep commitment to the development of new work. We are truly grateful for their support that provided crucial additional rehearsal time for The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical by Joe Iconis and Gregory S. Moss. With a musical as dependent on the cohesion of its ensemble as Hunter is, the funding for an extra week of rehearsal allowed the actors and creative team to explore and solidify complicated character tracks, and the comfort of knowing we had time to re-write as needed. - Christopher Ashley, the Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse
Grant Statement: La Jolla Playhouse’s 2023/24 Season of six productions featured all world premieres. It is through the support of the Edgerton Foundation that the Playhouse is able to consistently provide the extra time, care, and intentionality required to develop each of these new works in preparation of its first foray in front of an audience. We are grateful for the Edgerton Foundation’s dedication to expanding the American theatre canon. - Debby Buchholz, Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse
Creative team:
Music and Lyrics/Book: Joe Iconis
Book: Gregory S. Moss
Director: Christopher Ashley
Choreographer: Jon Rua
Music Supervisor/Vocal Arranger/Conductor: Rick Edinger
Scenic Designer: Wilson Chin
Costume Designer: Toni-Leslie James
Lighting Designer: Amanda Zieve
Sound Designer: Justin Stasiw
Wig and Hair Designer: Alberto "Albee" Alvarado
Puppet Designer: Animal Cracker Conspiracy
Orchestrations: Charlie Rosen
Dramaturg: Shirley Fishman
Sensitivity Specialist: Ann James
Casting: The Telsey Office
Stage Manager: Jess Slocum
Assistant Stage Manager: Topaz Cooks
Assistant Stage Manager: Nicholas Lambros Smith
Cast:
Nixon: George Abud
Understudy: Oscar, Juan, Puppeteer: Josh Alvarez
Jann: Jeannette Bayardelle
Understudy: Flower Child, Virginia: Summer Broyhill
Puppeteer/Understudy: The Kid: Josiah Cajudo
The Kid: Giovanny Diaz de Leon
Hunter: Gabriel Ebert
Sandy: Marcy Harriell
Virginia: Lorinda Lisitza
Flower Child: Lauren Marcus
Understudy: Nixon, Steadman: Kürt Norby
Understudy: Jann, Sandy, Flower Child: Nio Russell
Oscar: George Salazar
Juan: Ryan Vona
Steadman: Jason SweetTooth Williams
Additional funders:
Production Sponsors
Ted and Paula Adams
Weston Anson
Sheri L. Jamieson