The Last Session
| The Last Session | |
|---|---|
| Music | Steve Schalchlin |
| Lyrics |
Steve Schalchlin John Bettis Marie Cain |
| Book | Jim Brochu |
| Basis | The life of Steve Schalchlin |
| Productions | 1997 Off-Broadway 1998 Los Angeles 2012 London |
The Last Session is a musical with the book by Jim Brochu and the music and lyrics by Steve Schalchlin, with additional lyrics by John Bettis and Marie Cain. The musical is about a singer/songwriter who has decided to commit suicide to end his battle with AIDS, but only after one last recording session in the studio. The musical was presented Off-Broadway in 1997.
The musical is partially based on Schalchlin's life.CurtainUp notes that the musical is a "fictionalized and more tightly focused version of the autobiographical notes that the composer, Steve Schalchlin, has been keeping about his own life in a diary.
TalkinBroadway explained: "The character of Gideon is clearly based on composer Schalchlin, who has made no secret of the fact that he has escaped HIV-related death at least three times and was convinced by his own companion of fourteen years, Brochu, to write his feelings out as songs."
Gideon is an ex-gospel singer turned pop star who has scheduled a final recording session. He invites his old band to join him including professional back-up singer Tryshia, failed rock singer turned Mary Kay Cosmetics salesperson, Vicki, and studio engineer Jim. Buddy is a young Texas gospel singer, who has idolized Gideon his entire lifetime. He has come to Los Angeles to meet Gideon and to follow in his footsteps to cross over from gospel to pop. His world is shaken when, during the course of the recording session, he learns that Gideon is gay and has AIDS.
The Last Session was produced Off-Off-Broadway at the Currican Theater in May 1997, directed by Mike Wills and featuring Bob Stillman as Gideon. The musical next was presented Off-Broadway at the 47th Street Theatre, running from October 17, 1997 to March 1, 1998. Directed by Jim Brochu, the cast featured Bob Stillman as "Gideon," Grace Garland as Trisha, Amy Coleman as Vicki, Dean Bradshaw as Jim and Stephen Bienskie as Buddy.
The musical was nominated for the New York Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical and the Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical by the New York Outer Critics Circle.
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