Music
Press
I’ve been observing, writing about and reviewing theater productions in Southern California for more than 20 years as a regular contributor to the Arts section of The Orange County Register.
In the process of my work as a critic, news and feature writer involving the world of theater, I see dozens of productions – upwards of 100 each year, scrutinizing and analyzing each one. Among these are musicals of every stripe, from the warhorses of the Golden Age to more recent hits to original “concept” shows.
I’m writing to ask that you give serious consideration to Mr. Jack Forest and his original “fantasy rock opera” production, “Mystery Outlands.” I’ve heard numerous musical outtakes from the show, read the lyrics, and listened to the story. I’m convinced that, given the proper production budget, “Mystery Outlands” will prove a distinctive, memorable, one-of-a-kind original – a through-sung, science-fiction rock opera on the order of “Tommy” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
I’m certain that you’ll come away with the same impression.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration,
Eric Marchese
- The Orange County Register
Discography
The second and third track on this site are from our first album, INSIDE MY HEAD. The rest are from our current 2-disc/rock opera endeavor.
Photos
Bio
When I was a boy, my older brother used to come home with incredible albums that I thought were so cool. Bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Beatles. One day, he brought home the rock opera, Tommy, and I nearly flipped. I was amazed that all the characters sang to each other and never spoke a word. At the time, I was also fascinated with the world of make believe, stories like The Hobbit and movies like Star Wars, so I decided I would one day write a rock opera with fantastic characters who go on magical adventures.
The last of four children, I was luckily born into a home that had a real piano. Since all my older siblings gave up on on the instrument, my parents decided to keep it in my room. Well it fascinated me and I still remember the day my eye level reached the keys. Later in life, I was fortunate to attend music school in Texas (NTSU) and California (SDSU). In fact, one day at San Diego State, I entered and won a talent show with an original piano solo. Right after the performance, Larry Himmel approached me and asked me to perform on his show on NBC. So, I did. Ra-ra and all that. Anyhow, the experience convinced me that maybe I had something special...musically that is.
So not too long ago, while teaching piano and playing coffee houses in San Diego, I finally buckled down to write my rock opera. And after moving to Huntington Beach, I finally finished it. Yeah! Coming up with the right story was the hardest part, but once I had my characters in mind and the story planned out, writing the songs became easy and a lot of fun. Along the way, I produced a forty minute version of the show for the drama department at Golden West College in H.B.. The first two shows felt like dress rehearsals—it was a crazy. But the final performance received a standing ovation. The thrill convinced me to dedicate myself totally to this huge and unusual project. To do whatever it takes to produce the double CD and the multi-media theatrical stage show, so that I it may someday reach its ultimate destination as a full on in your face extravaganza, an animated movie.
Now that I've finally finished the script and all the words and music, I am currently looking at production options. I am also very open to suggestions of any kind.
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