YUVAL RON DISCUSSES HIS SCORE FOR MAUREEN HUSKEY’S NEW PLAY

INTERVIEW: YUVAL RON

BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO

This fall award-winning Los Angeles based theater company Son of Semele Ensemble presents Maureen Huskey’s new experimental play The Woman Who Went to Space as Man, with a musical score by award winning composer Yuval Ron. World music artist, composer, educator, peace activist, and record producer Yuval Ron’s notable compositions include music for the Oscar-winning short film West Bank Story, as well as site-specific commissions for the Getty Museum and others. Part fact, part fever dream, and part musical, The Woman Who Went to Space as Man opens with Alice B. Sheldon – better known to sci-fi aficionados as author James Tiptree, Jr. – contemplating suicide. Dodging in and out of reality, the play, with Ron’s bold musical score, investigates gender, longing and creativity as self-exploration through one of the Science Fiction world’s greatest literary tricksters. In this Tin Pan L.A. exclusive Yuval Ron discusses his inspiration, creative process and what audiences can expect in his score to Huskey’s captivating new play.

Yuval Ron. Photo by: Kansas State University Comm. and Marketing.

How did you get involved with this experimental new play?

One of my colleagues, actress Lucinda Clare recommended me for the job.

Did you create a musical palette to work from that you used to unify the score of this play? If so, how did you decide on what to incorporate into the sound for this project?

Since the play covers a span of several time periods and locations, I was very much focused on finding a way to unify the various episodes and parts of the play with the musical score and songs. The lead me to composed many variations of the main themes of the score using sounds that comes from the world of sci-fi and glam rock. In addition, I used some African and Jazzy sounds and motives since these relate to some of the locations and periods that the play covers.

How would you describe the music heard in this play?

Glam Rock, Space Rock,

How does the music function in the context of the play?

There are 13 songs in the play, so it is actually a musical, where the musical numbers work to expand the emotional experssion of the actors and add poetic and lyrical dimension to the theatrical experience. In addition there are 16 uderscore instrumental pieces which add an emotion subtext to the dialogue and supports the action on stage.

Rehearsal photos courtesy of Ashley Steed for Son of Semele.

Did playwright Maureen Huskey give you any guidance for composing music for her play?

Yes, very much so. Maureen gave a lot of direction and feedback in regards to each song and each musical piece in the score.

In the production process has any musical material needed to be cut, edited, or recomposed? If so, what led to these decisions?

Once Maureen started rehearsing with the actors, she asked me to lengthen few of the underscore piece and to cut one song which did not work out well with the cast.

Is there a piece of music that was particularly challenging to compose? If so, explain what challenges arose.

All of the songs and underscore pieces came out of me in ease. It was a pleassure to work with Maureen, becuase she was very very clear of what she wants, and what she does not want, and that is a blessing for a composer.

Rehearsal photos courtesy of Ashley Steed for Son of Semele

What is your favorite moment of music in the play?

That is a hard question…….there are so many beautiful and moving moments in the score. The first that come to mind is the song called The First Tiem in America, when Alice the main character sings about being among the first women soldiegers ever served in the US army and their willingness to give their life for the cause during world war 2. Also, the last song Alice sings to her husband just before he die, is a veyr moving musical momenet, and then there is the finale song which is very powerful, experssing Alice;s wish to become part of the heavenly sky and the stars.

What excites you most about the score now that it’s complete?

The thought of hearing it performed live in the theater with all the harmonies and the energy of the actors.

INFORMATION AND TICKETS: 

WHEN:
Performances: October 27 – November 18
• Tuesday at 7 p.m.: Oct. 30; Nov. 6, 13
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: Nov. 2, 9, 16
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Oct. 27 (opening night); Nov. 3, 10, 17
• Sundays at 5 p.m.: Oct. 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18

WHERE:
Son of Semele Theater
3301 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004

HOW:
818-841-5422 or www.sonofsemele.org or info@sonofsemele.org
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