the beach boy about the play
from an original idea by Tom Lake the play although not a musical featured songs written by brian wilson and classics hits recorded by the beach boys.
later Tom Lake based a novel then a paperback on the play
the soundtrack of the show seemed to fit the scenes and drama.
through the brian keene trust he himself played the beach boy and from time to time other actors and singers took the part.
it has toured throughout the last 20 years in provincial theatres, schools, civic theatres, outdoor events, major cities and smaller towns.
brian keane decided to tour the show in a more musical format with the songs 4 years ago and the response have been wonderful, first europe, canary islands and now the uk.
a cd was recorded for hitsong records who first learned of the play 10 years ago and this is now on sale, from beach boys fans to those interested in the play many say how near the sound and quality is to the originals.
this is not just a tribute it is a pastiche of sixties american life, from president kennedy's assination to the late period of drugs and phychedelics.
a cocktail of life then, adverts, speeches, drama all against the backdrop of fun but the reality of vietnam
the songs might reflect surf boards, hot rod cars, girls and youth culture but the background is more sinister
if you need to reflect, this is not only nostalgia it takes you there with real thought the beach boy play embraces all entertainment genre.
for young and old re-visit the past, the past which may someday be the future again, yet through it all the songs survive and sound fresh as in the sixties
the scenario of beach boy the original play
Based on the orignal Tom Lake Hollywood/Broadway play. An English lad moves to the U.S.A in the early sixties. Immediately he is met with a tidal wave of cultural change from the assasination of President Kennedy and later. The Beach Boy for which he is nicknamed from his love of surfing meets falls in love with a all American girl Caroline at the tender age of 19. With the love of this 17 year old our story entwines many popular Beach Boys songs and classics from the composers pen of Brian Wilson. A pantheon to the baby boomer generation after the 2nd World War. Full employment, generational clashes, fast cars and a final drug haze of the late sixties, disappointment and lost hope. All our hero beach boy wants and needs is the ultimate wave of surfin. This then is our story
a story that ends in tragedy crashing at 120mph in his hot rod car and 3 years in bed recovering from drugs and severe physical and mental damage
the sixties were fun and innocent but 'the beach boy' reflects the bitter sweet downside
