New ICT Musical has Interesting Past

April 18th, 2012

The West End cast of The Fix

It’s always good when someone believes in what you do. It’s better when that person is someone whose opinion everyone respects. Such was true when unknown lyricist John Dempsey and composer Dana P. Rowe had the rights for their original musical The Fix purchased by mega-theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh. This new musical is set to open at International City Theatre on April 24, yet its journey to Long Beach is an odd one.

If you are not familiar with Cameron Mackintosh, he has produced musicals such as Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Cats. You know, a bunch of no-name musicals. He loved Dempsey and Rowe’s refreshingly creative musical so much that he took it straight to London’s West End where it took home an Olivier Award (London’s Tony Award) in 1997. He then took it to the highly regarded Signature Theatre in Virginia where it played to rave reviews. It never came to the west coast, and now it is as ICT prepares for its opening.

The Fix is a new rock musical about the American political machine. A popular candidate is dead, and his widow thrusts their son into the political spotlight. Her maniacal scheming is matched by that of her brother-in-law, who will stop at nothing to see the boy elected. Together, the three of them make up one of the most dysfunctional almost-first families this side of real-life Washington politics.

This show has the credentials, the glowing reviews and an incredible new score for the American songbook. Come down and see why so many people believe in The Fix. It’ll make a lot of sense once you do.

The Fix runs April 24 – May 20 at International City Theatre. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 562-436-4610 or visiting www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.