In 2014, opera singer & producer David Serero recorded the original demos of “Scarface, The Al Capone Musical.” He always believed that American gangster Al Capone, and his lavish lifestyle, could be an outstanding subject for a musical, and hence, to explore new musical colors. However, he was looking for an innovative and modern way to bring Al Capone’s life (1899-1947), the Chicago’s gangsters, the music of the Prohibition-era, the speakeasies, and how to musically illustrate the gangster style, to today’s audience and standards. When studying Al Capone, David Serero immediately referred to Hip-Hop music and Gangsta rap.
In “SCARFACE, The AL CAPONE Musical,” David Serero (starring as Capone) used Prohibition-era standards and re-arranged them in a Hip-Hop style, adding his operatic vocals, Musical Theatre, Jazz and others influences. The story is loosely inspired by Al Capone’s life, although David Serero, who wrote the musical, took liberties and added fictional characters such as Capone’s right arm: Franky, an African-American rapper (“in the style of Notorious B.I.G”), Lolita, Minnie and more. “Gangsta rap is what Capone would be listening today, mixed with Jazz and Opera, as it reflects what Capone says: If we can reach the top, the world will give in. Hip-hop is a very theatrical art form, over the top, expressing a sort of revenge from life and dreaming of a bigger future. These are the ideal elements to express the gangster attitude of Capone” added Serero, who always loves to combine genres and styles, which established his signature over the last 20 years of performing his theatrical adaptations of classics (theater, opera, and musicals) and recordings (his discography includes nearly 50 albums).
Speakeasies are part of the sets, representing Chicago in the 1930s, with a contemporary, glamorous, elegant twist. The costumes, props, and decors are inspired by the Chicago gangster-style era (Machine Gun Kelly, Cadillac cars), including contemporary elements (sparkling diamonds, leather jackets, black sunglasses) as well as the choreography (pairing 1930s style with contemporary Hip-Hop movements).
Two singles of the musical are released this August 2020. The adapted standards are: “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (opening of the musical) and “Minnie, the Moocher” which David Serero has entirely re-arranged in a Hip-Hop style, added background vocals, written additional rap lyrics, used the verses as monologues, and connected the lyrics to the context of the story (i.e. “They called me ‘Al,’ it was ‘Al’ all the time”) and more. The whole Cast Album Recording is to be released before the end of 2020.
SCARFACE, The AL CAPONE MUSICAL emphasizes on the “Evil Rise of AL CAPONE”and how this iconic gangster, here portrayed as an evil villain, started by cleaning shoes on New York streets and became the most notorious gangster of all time.
LIST OF CHARACTERS:
AL CAPONE: Bass-Baritone (Italian style)
FRANKY: Capone’s partner. A rapper in the style of Notorious B.I.G. Age: 20s.
MAE: Capone’s wife. Soprano. Age: 20s
MINNIE: Chief of Capone’s brothel. Mezzo-soprano. Seductive woman, in the style of Beyonce, strong dancer.
LOLITA: Capone’s mistress, a strong burlesque dancer. Soprano. Age: 20s. Sings, “My heart belongs to Daddy.”
TORRIO: Al Capone’s first boss. Tenor. Age: 50s
GEORGE CLARENCE, aka “Bugs” Moran: Capone’s rival. Tenor. Age: 40s.
ELIOT NESS: FBI agent. Tenor. Age: 35
Other roles available.
The Casting process will commence in September with a first selection through recordings, all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.
David Serero is an Award-winning opera singer, actor, stage director, producer, entrepreneur, playwright, and author. He has received critical acclaim for his unique Off-Broadway adaptations of theatrical classics such as Merchant of Venice, Cyrano de Bergerac, Don Giovanni, Othello, Romeo and Juliet… as well as new materials such as Queen Esther’s dilemma, and Anne Frank, a Musical (closed due to lockdown due to the pandemic, rescheduled for Spring 2021).
For more information, visit: www.davidserero.com
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