-

Some of our readers may only know Debbie Allen from her judging on So You Think You Can Dance.  However, Debbie Allen is more than a judge, she’s an icon.  Debbie Allen has been responsible for decades of great dance, television shows, movies and cultivating talents.   Recently FRESHERTHANCHRIS sat down with Debbie Allen to discuss her new musical “Oman, “OMan”.

FRESHERTHANCHRIS:  What was the inspiration behind the musical?

Debbie Allen: The inspiration was The Arabesque Festival at the Kennedy Center. I was given the great challenge to somehow use dance and create an original piece that would some how fuse Middle East and West. I read over 15 books visited Oman many times, and came up with “Oman, O Man”

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: Why such heavy material for a musical?

Debbie Allen: Honestly I don’t think this is so heavy it just hasn’t been addressed in this way.  What better way to use the arts than to express concern, reveal truth, promote understanding and leave the audience with JOY!!

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: Describe what the music is like?

Debbie Allen: Arturo Sandoval and I spent months experimenting and defining the sound. Arturo is a master composer and musician and he studied the chord structure and instrumentation of Omani Music. Guided by the script and the Lyrics he created this score which is authentic, contemporary and very moving.

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: Do you plan to take this musical on the road?

Debbie Allen:  This is the road. The West Coast Premiere. There is talk about Chicago, NY and Oman. If I had the money I would take it around the world.

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: Why did you choose these two religions? Why men?

Debbie Allen: The people of Oman are predominately Muslim and the largest practiced religion in America is Christianity. I decided to use to young men, they are 13 years old, in a military academy who have a very honest conversation.

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: If you had to sum up the musical in three words, what would they be?

Debbie Allen: Magical, Historic, Funny

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: Why do you think this musical has gotten the critical acclaim it has?

Debbie Allen: As far as Critical Acclaim…..I think it is refreshing to have a family entertainment that is so creative, well produced and so relevant all in one.

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: How did you react when you heard Michelle Obama loved the musical?

Debbie Allen: I was actually in the presidential box at the theater with her and her entire staff when she expressed her delight and how much she valued the production. It was like getting 100 rave reviews from all the majors.

FRESHERTHANCHRIS: What’s the one message you want the audience to leave with?

Debbie Allen: I hope the audience will leave with many more questions and interest in continuing this conversation between two very different yet similar cultures.

Popularity: 1% [?]