vendredi 21 février 2025

Starmania, a musical

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Starmania : A presentation




1. Introduction

Overview: Starmania is a French rock opera (or pop musical) created in 1978 by Michel Berger (music) and Luc Plamondon (lyrics). It is one of the most famous French musicals and has had numerous adaptations over the years.

Key Themes: 

1. Power and Totalitarianism: The musical portrays a world where authoritarian figures, like Zéro Janvier, use fear and propaganda to gain control. His campaign for a "stronger" society mirrors real-world political extremism and the rise of authoritarian leaders.

2. Terrorism and Rebellion: Johnny Rockfort and "Les Étoiles Noires" represent the radical opposition to the system. The musical questions whether violent rebellion is justified when fighting oppression and highlights the dangers of extremism on both sides.

3. Media and Celebrity Culture: Through Cristal, a popular TV host, Starmania critiques how mass media manipulates public opinion, glorifies violence, and shapes political outcomes. The obsession with fame and spectacle is a major theme.

4. Loneliness and the Search for Meaning: Many characters struggle with personal emptiness despite their social roles:

  • Stella Spotlight, a former movie star, searches for love and purpose.
  • Zéro Janvier’s assistant sings Le Blues du Businessman, expressing regret over sacrificing artistic dreams for financial success.

5. Gender and Identity: The character Ziggy explores themes of gender identity and nonconformity. The musical subtly addresses societal struggles with acceptance and self-discovery.

6. Love and Betrayal: Romantic relationships in Starmania are often tragic or destructive, emphasizing the difficulty of genuine connection in a corrupt world. Cristal falls in love with Johnny, but their love leads to tragedy, while Sadia betrays Johnny for power.

2. The Storyline

Setting: The setting of Starmania is Monopolis, a dystopian, futuristic metropolis dominated by capitalism, mass media, and political unrest. The city is filled with neon lights, skyscrapers, and underground hideouts, reflecting a dark, cyberpunk-like atmosphere.

Key Locations in Monopolis

  • The Golden Tower – A luxurious skyscraper where Zéro Janvier, a powerful businessman and presidential candidate, resides. It symbolizes wealth, power, and authoritarian control.
  • Underground Café – A small, hidden café where Marie-Jeanne works. It serves as a gathering place for outsiders and ordinary people, contrasting with the city's elite.
  • Naziland – A flashy, controversial nightclub that represents excess, decadence, and the entertainment-driven society of Monopolis.
  • The Streets of Monopolis – A chaotic environment filled with protests, political propaganda, and violent clashes between Zéro Janvier’s supporters and Johnny Rockfort’s anarchist group, "Les Étoiles Noires."

Plot Summary: 

First version (1979): Set in a dystopian future, Starmania takes place in "Monopolis," a totalitarian city, capital of the "Occident" which is now unified in an only state. However, the city is preocupied by a terrorist group called "Etoiles Noires". The leader is Johny Rockfort who is influenced by Sadia, a student from high-society and a travesti. We are also being put inside the Undeground Café where a waitress, Marie-Jeanne, listens to the news from Roger Roger on the chain Télé-Capitale. 

On the top of this coffee shop there is the Golden Tower where Zéro Janvier, a billionaire and ex-military lives. He is running for President and we understand that he wants a racist, liberal and securitalist society. His main opponent is Goubou Marabout who wants to return to nature. 

On Télé-Capitale we meet Cristal who presents the show Starmania where you can be a star for just one night. Ziggy, a gay vinyl seller whom Marie-Jeanne is in love with, wants to go to Starmania. Sadia hears about it and stoles his idea, putting Johnny on the show - but Johnny and Cristal fall in love and Cristal run away, but everyone think she was abducted. During a debate between Goubou Marabout and Zéro Janvier, the terrorist group takes control of the TV to show that Cristal is now part of the group.

At the same time, Stella Spotlight, a famous cinema star, announces the end of her carrer - Zéro Janvier decides to take profit of it and ask of her to appear publically with him. However, Stella has a lot of psychological issues and participates in therapy/orgie sessions held by Gourou Marabout. Zero asks her to marry him: they celebrate the news in his private club - Naziland. Meanwhile, Johnny and Cristal are putting a bomb inside the tower. Ziggy has become a DJ in Naziland. Sadia learns about the bomb and tells everything to Zéro Janvier who chases the terrorist group. Cristal is being thrown above the tower and dies. Marie-Jeanne decides to leave her job and the underground. 

Zéro Janvier is elected President and Johnny tries to kill him but is being shot instead. We see his spirit being taken to the skies while the earthians sing about the despair of their condition.

Characters

The story follows several intertwined characters, including:

  • Cristal, a TV host who falls in love with Johnny and joins the rebels.
  • Stella Spotlight, a fading movie star seeking meaning in her life.
  • Marie-Jeanne, a waitress at the Underground Café, observing the chaos around her.
  • Sadia, Johnny’s manipulative right-hand woman, who later betrays him.

3. Musical Elements

Score and Style: The score of Starmania is a fusion of rock, pop, disco, and symphonic elements, reflecting the futuristic, dystopian atmosphere of the story. Michel Berger's compositions blend powerful ballads with energetic rock anthems, making the musical both emotionally intense and rhythmically dynamic.

  • Rock Opera Influence – Inspired by musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, Starmania features a sung-through format with minimal dialogue, relying on music to tell the story.
  • Disco and Pop Sounds – Songs like Quand on arrive en ville and Besoin d’amour have strong disco beats, reflecting the late 1970s musical landscape.
  • Orchestral and Synth Arrangements – The score includes lush orchestrations combined with synthesizers, creating a dramatic and futuristic feel.
  • Emotional Power Ballads – Songs like Le monde est stone and SOS d’un terrien en détresse are deeply melancholic, showcasing the vulnerability of the characters.

Choreography: The choreography of Starmania has varied across different productions, but it generally reflects the musical’s futuristic, rebellious, and emotionally charged atmosphere. The dance styles blend elements of jazz, rock, contemporary, and even disco, aligning with the diverse musical influences of the score.
  • Dynamic Group Numbers – Large ensemble pieces like Quand on arrive en ville feature bold, energetic movements that reflect the rebellious spirit of Johnny Rockfort’s gang.
  • Mechanical and Stylized Gestures – Some productions use robotic or synchronized movements to enhance the dystopian, futuristic setting, especially in scenes involving media and politics.
  • Emotional Solos – Ballads like Le Monde est stone or SOS d’un terrien en détresse often feature minimalistic movement, relying on the performer's presence and expression rather than complex choreography.
  • Disco and Pop Influences – Given the musical’s 1970s origins, some numbers incorporate disco-inspired dance moves, particularly in scenes set in Naziland, the flashy nightclub of Monopolis.
Choreographers across different productions:
  • Original 1979 Version – Featured more theatrical staging than heavy choreography, focusing on the rock opera aesthetic.
  • 1988 Revival (Canada, France) – Introduced more jazz and contemporary dance, choreographed by Louise Lecavalier and Édouard Lock (of La La La Human Steps).
  • Recent 2022 Revival – Choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, this version incorporates fluid contemporary dance, urban influences, and highly visual staging to enhance the sci-fi aesthetic.

4. Production History

Background: Initialement, Michel Berger voulait créer Angélina Dumas en 1974, qui traite du syndrome de Stockholm et de l'enlèvement de Patricia Hearst: héritière d'un homme d'affaire connu de la presse (William Randolph Hearst) et parfois actrice, elle est enlevée à 19 ans en 1974 par l'Armée de libération symbionaise (extrême gauche américaine), avant de décider de faire partie du groupe.
Cependant Angelina Dumas est un échec quand le titre sort en 1975. France Gall travaille avec lui pour trouver un auteur et ils découvrent Luc Plamondon après avoir écouté Diane Dufresne. La rencontre entre les deux artistes se fait en 1976 à Montréal. 

Development: Starmania est le premier opéra rock créé originellement en français. Michel Berger et Luc Plamondon ont eu beaucoup de mal à trouver un producteur parce que personne "ne croit au succès de ce genre de spectacle en français de ce côté de l'Atlantique" (La Vie).  In the recorded version, before the development of the show, a song called "Air de l'extraterrestre" was introducing another character which sung about human vanity, but it was deleted in all the representations of the show (except Quebec 1980).

First version - 1979: this version had other characters such as Cristal's parents and another woman presentator from Télé Capitale.
Songs from Act 1:
  • Ouverture (instrumental)
  • Il se passe quelque chose à Monopolis (la speakerine, l'évangéliste)
  • Quand on arrive en ville
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (la speakerine, l'évangéliste, Marie Jeanne, Zéro Janvier) 
  • Travesti (Sadia)
  • Banlieue nord (Marie-Jeanne, Johnny Rockfort)
  • Sadia et Johnny (Sadia, Johnny Rockfort)
  • La Serveuse et les Clients (Marie-Jeanne, troupe)
  • Complainte de la serveuse automate (Marie-Jeanne)
  • Le Blues du businessman (Zéro Janvier, Cristal, Marie-Jeanne, troupe)
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (l'évangéliste)
  • Starmania-Starmania (la speakerine, Cristal, troupe)
  • Un garçon pas comme les autres (Marie-Jeanne)
  • Voulez-vous jouer avec moi ? (Cristal)
  • La Chanson de Ziggy (Ziggy)
  • Le Coup de téléphone (Sadia, Johnny Rockfort, Cristal, Marie-Jeanne)
  • Interview de Johnny Rockfort (Cristal, Johnny Rockfort)
  • Un enfant de la pollution (Johnny Rockfort)
  • Coup de foudre (Cristal, Johnny Rockfort)
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (l'évangéliste)
  • Le Meeting de Zéro Janvier (Zéro Janvier)
  • Le Bulletin spécial de Télé Capitale (la speakerine, Marie-Jeanne)
  • Besoin d'amour (Cristal, Johnny Rockfort)
Songs from Act 2:
  • La Procession du grand gourou / Paranoïa (le grand gourou, troupe)
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (l'évangéliste, le grand gourou, troupe)
  • Marie-Jeanne et les clients du café (Marie-Jeanne, Ziggy, troupe)
  • Les Adieux d’un sex-symbol (Stella Spotlight)
  • Le Télégramme de Zéro à Stella (Stella Spotlight, Zéro Janvier)
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (l'évangéliste, Marie-Jeanne)
  • Trio de la jalousie (Je suis avec Johnny Rockfort) (Sadia, Cristal, Johnny Rockfort, troupe)
  • SOS d'un terrien en détresse (Johnny Rockfort)
  • Jingle de Stella (Si vous voulez un homme nouveau) (Stella Spotlight, Zéro Janvier, troupe)
  • Le Débat télévisé (l'évangéliste, Zéro Janvier, le grand gourou, Cristal, Marie-Jeanne, troupe)
  • Sex shops, cinémas pornos (Stella Spotlight)
  • Les Parents de Cristal (On était des vieux si heureux) (l'évangéliste, les parents de Cristal)
  • Quand on n’a plus rien à perdre (Johnny Rockfort, Cristal)
  • L'Adieu de Marie-Jeanne à Ziggy (Marie-Jeanne)
  • Les Uns contre les autres (Marie-Jeanne, Ziggy)
  • La Demande de Zéro à Stella (Zéro Janvier, Stella Spotlight)
  • Ego Trip (Stella Spotlight, Zéro Janvier)
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (l'évangéliste)
  • Petite musique terrienne (Marie-Jeanne)
  • Monopolis (Cristal)
  • Communiqué de l'évangéliste (l'évangéliste)
  • Disc-jockey’s song (Ziggy)
  • Ce soir on danse à Naziland (Sadia, Zéro Janvier)
  • Tango de l'amour et de la mort (Stella Spotlight, Sadia)
  • Ce soir on danse à Naziland (suite) (Sadia)
  • Victoire électorale (Stella Spotlight, Zéro Janvier)
  • Le Rêve de Stella Spotlight (Stella Spotlight)
  • Le monde est stone (Marie-Jeanne)
  • Final (troupe)
1978 - first album: Starmania, ou la passion de Johnny Rockfort selon les évangiles télévisés
Critic: no cohesion, poor consistance of narration, hopes that the show « sera éventuellement le révélateur de ces petits bouts de musique jusqu'ici dénués d'envergure". 
Cast: 
1979: first production on stage
The director is Tom O'Horgan, an american who directed Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, but couldn't speak a word of French. It was presented on April 10th at Palais des congrès de Paris. The critics were mitiged: the theatre was packed but the show only stayed for four weeks. Marie Cristal dies by being thrown from the tower.
Cast:
Production:
1980 - 1981: Quebecoise version of Starmania. Show is played at Comédie Nationale de Montréal.
Cast: 
Production: 
  • Producteurs : Yves Blais et Percival Broomfield
  • Mise en scène : Olivier Reichenbach
  • Direction musicale : Jimmy Tanaka
  • Chorégraphie : Ceil Gruessing
  • Décors : Claude Girard
  • Éclairage : Michel Beaulieu
They deleted the character of Grand Gourou Marabout and la speakerine. Therefore, they deleted the songs Paranoïa, Le débat télévisé, Un enfant de la pollution. All the songs were reordered to have a more dramatic aspect. The show was very well received.
1986-1987: first quebec revival. 
Festival de Lanaudière à Joliette. At that time the songs are all well known and the musical is a safe bet. The director is Claude Girard and thinks the set for a tour, so less ambitious than the precedent versions. They added the song Un enfant de la pollution but deleted the alien character: at the end of the show, we learn that Roger-Roger is an alien.
Cast:
1988-1989: first French revival

10th anniversary of the show, Berger and Plamondon meet again for the first time and work on this new production, much more dramatic. The show is played at Théâtre de Paris and Théâtre Marigny. The show is a real success. It was showed on television on January 1st 1991, and then on 21st June for the Fête de la musique. 
They deleted the character of Grand Gourou Marabout. Marie Cristal dies by being shot at the Naziland's party.
I saw this version and loved it but I do wish I had a recording of the first original production with Balavoine and France Gall.

Cast:

1990: national Tour + St Petersburg and Moscou


1991: German version 
In Germany, at Théâtre Aalto. They changed a bit the songs because the sentences were too long in German to work on the music. Director: Jurgen Schwalbe. Compositor: Achim Gieseler.
Cast:

1992: Tycoon - English adaptation
Never showed in the UK but played by the French at théâtre Mogador. A lot of stars sung the new English songs (Peter Kingsbery, Cindy Lauper, Celine Dion...): made a concept-album, named in 1997 Starmania.
Cast:
1993 until 2001: third French revival
Théâtre Mogador + Made an album. They sung in both French and English. Marie Cristal dies because of the bomb while she was trying to escape.
2001 - Tour
They deleted Roger-Roger. Marie Cristal is being strangled by Zero Janier and dies.

2004 - 25th anniversary: symphonic adaptation in Montréal
2005 - concert in Paris
2007 - Asian tour 
2008 - Haïtian version in Montréal 
Cast: 
  • Cristal : Willène Guerismé
  • Johnny Rockfort : Ralph Jean-Baptiste
  • Sadia : Nadège Dugravil
  • Marie-Jeanne : Sophonie Louisius
  • Ziggy : Getro Joseph
  • Zéro Janvier : Evency Dorzelma
  • Stella Spotlight : Élisabeth Pierre
Reallly loved by Michaëlle Jean, Luc Plamondon and Luck Mervil.
2008 - Quebec production
2016 - 2008's production in Quebec
2022-2024 - French Revival 
Production:
Cast:
  • Lilya Adad en alternance avec Gabrielle Lapointe (doublure : Sacha Brun) : Cristal ;
  • Côme puis William Cloutier (doublure : Redgee) : Johnny Rockfort ;
  • Miriam Baghdassarian (doublure : Ambriel) : Sadia ;
  • Alex Montembault puis Heidi Jutras (doublure : Louise Charbonnel) : Marie-Jeanne ;
  • David Latulippe (doublure : Aurel Fabregues) : Zéro Janvier ;
  • Adrien Fruit (doublure : Nicolas Dorian) : Ziggy ;
  • Maag (doublure : Jeanne Jerosme): Stella Spotlight ;
  • Simon Geoffroy en alternance avec Malaika Lacy : Gourou Marabout ;
  • Thomas Jolly : L'intelligence artificielle Roger-Roger ;
  • Alice NGuyen et Max Carpentier : Ensemble et rôles secondaires divers (assistants de Zéro, Étoiles Noires...) ;
  • Jeanne Jerosme (doublures : Alice NGuyen / Gabrielle Lapointe) : Bonne de Stella Spotlight ;
  • Aurel Fabrègues (doublures : David Latulippe, Yoan Grosjean, Samy Zerrouki-Recroix) : Agent secret de Zéro Janvier.
Dancers:
  • Sorna Condevaux Ndoye
  • Nathalia Meneses Gonzales
  • Christelle Khamis
  • Sephora Kibebe
  • Matys Kaïbo
  • Jade Bayonne
  • Yoan Grosjean
  • Julien Djiele
  • Lucas Siffert
Changes: Marie Cristal dies because she is shot by Sadia, and sometimes she dies with Johnny in the explosion and only Marie-Jeanne survives.
2024: concert of the 2022 production
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