Behind the Music: Sir Elton John's Creative Process for The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical
The Devil Wears Prada has been a massive hit at the Dominion Theatre, breaking sales records and captivating audiences with Vanessa Williams in the lead role of Miranda Priestley. The original cast recording of The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical, featuring Sir Elton John's songwriting genius, has been released. Fans can now listen to two previously unheard Elton John Original Demos, providing insight into the creative process behind the musical.
Sir Elton John shares his approach to writing the music for the show, emphasizing the importance of understanding the characters and collaborating with lyricists. He describes the meticulous attention to detail in creating the mood and sound of the music, highlighting the ease of composing when working with brilliant lyrics. Writing musicals offers a refreshing change for him, providing a clear beginning and end compared to album projects.
The songwriting process for musicals involves creating full-scale demos, similar to recording albums, to capture the desired sound and mood. Sir Elton John enjoys the process of crafting music for musicals, focusing on the music while leaving the direction and production to the creative team. Despite his involvement in the initial stages, he acknowledges the need to step back and let the cast and crew bring the production to life on stage.
Producer Kevin McCollum praises Sir Elton John's collaboration on The Devil Wears Prada, highlighting his passion, empathy, and curiosity as essential elements of his songwriting. McCollum admires Elton's ability to translate lyrics into melodies that evoke emotional truths and captivate audiences. Both McCollum and Sir Elton John express excitement about the show's success and share their favorite songs from the record.
Reflecting on past theatre experiences, Sir Elton John recalls the magical moments of attending the first night of The Lion King in New York and the complexity of staging Billy Elliot. He appreciates the creativity and brilliance of theatre productions, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling through music and performance. The collaboration on The Devil Wears Prada has been a rewarding experience for both Sir Elton John and producer Kevin McCollum, showcasing the magic of musical theatre.