FIRST-EVER ROCK MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF H.G. WELLS’ THE TIME MACHINE

For the first time ever, a rock musical version of H.G. Wells’ science fiction novella The Time Machine is coming to the stage, making its world premiere at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2013. The Time Machine Musical, written and composed by Steve Altman and directed by Joshua Fardon, opens June 13 at The Elephant Stages’ Lillian Theatre.

In this new rock musical, as well in Wells’ original story, a brilliant but troubled British scientist invents a machine that takes him into a distant and violent future. Although the full version clocks in at two hours, this premiere production condenses the story into a one-hour, non-stop time warp, featuring such musical numbers (written/composed by Altman, who has also written songs for Motown, Disney, and HBO projects) as “Technology,” “Time in the Universe,” “Meaning of Life,” “Men of Knowledge,” and more.

With a story that centers around mankind being split into two – the above-ground Eloi and the underground Morlocks – The Time Machine Musical explores the universal themes of class struggle, popular apathy, runaway technology, addiction, greed, lawlessness, hubris, teenage angst, hopelessness, love, betrayal and redemption. Since its first publication in 1895, the original story has been credited with popularizing the concept of time travel, a conceit which has made its way into innumerable popular works – from Back to the Future to Doctor Who and LOST. The Time Machine has also witnessed a number of film, television, teleplay, radio and comic book adaptations, but this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival debuts the first ever rock musical version of the classic tale.

The Time Machine Musical is Jesus Christ Superstar meets Hair in a retrofuturistic, science fiction world, with a cast of a dozen actors, singers and musicians, accompanied by a four-piece band. Altman, its star and writer/composer, has made a name for himself in the international theater scene as director/writer/producer of his award-winning John Lennon musical Just Imagine. Fardon, its director, is best known for his directorial work at The Hudson Guild, Playwrights Arena and The Brand Studio Theatre, where he recently directed a production of Julia Arbuck, a play he also wrote. Theatre of NOTE in Los Angeles has also produced two Fardon-written plays, and two short films written by Fardon were official selections of Dances With Films.

The Time Machine Musical opens June 13 at The Elephant Stages’ Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, with six performances through June 27. Tickets for all performances at the Hollywood Fringe Festival are $10 general admission, and may be purchased now on the Fringe website at http://hff13.org/1176, at the Fringe box office or by calling 323-455-4585.

CAST
William Parke – Steve Altman
Harry / Morlock Guard – Jim Hanna
Albert / Morlock King – Erik Van Wyck
Morgan / Morlock Henchman – Jonathan Grey
Maria / Weena – Gretel Roenfeldt
Eloi Elyod – Jack David Frank
Eloi Yrrah – Thomas Meaney
Eloi Saru – Suzan Mikiel
Eloi Nula – Tara Price
Tar-El – Tara Raucci
Eloi Trebla – David Rodwin

DATES/TIMES
June 9 7 p.m. PREVIEW
June 13 8 p.m. OPENING NIGHT
June 15 3 p.m. MATINEE
June 19 8 p.m.
June 20 8 p.m.
June 26 8 p.m.
June 27 8 p.m.

To hear music, view the trailer on YouTube: http://youtu.be/IPLOuJ-yzrk
For more information, visit www.thetimemachinemusical.com