FEATURE:
At a Local Level
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 1989/PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
The Love and Affection for Kate Bush Around the World
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I have spoken a lot…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush performing live in 1978/PHOTO CREDIT: TV Times via Getty Images
about the influence of Kate Bush in the music world. This huge and international representation. How some of the biggest artists of the day are embodying Kate Bush and you can see how she has affected them. However, we do not really drill down to a local level. I guess it is impossible to do that, and so many of the events and moments where Kate Bush is celebrated will go unreported. However, I do wonder whether there is capacity for more to be done when it comes to Kate Bush. In terms of size and budget. However, that is not to take anything away from the smaller tributes and acknowledgments. I read a story from the U.S. about a Kate Bush musical that has been launched in the U.S. It has finished now, but I do hope that it inspires others to do likewise:
“The Callbacks, a no-cut student musical theater group founded in spring 2024, will be performing an original musical titled “Hounds of Love” for their termly production this weekend. Written, directed and choreographed by Nathaniel Lopez ’29, the jukebox musical will feature songs by the English singer-songwriter and musician Kate Bush. The title of the musical comes from Bush’s 1985 studio album, “Hounds of Love.”
The musical follows Ella, played by Gianna Werle ’29, a recent college graduate as she navigates a new corporate marketing job. Grappling with self-doubt and uncertainty about her career path, Ella’s eccentric co-worker Jason, played by Aidan Lewinter ’28, helps her rekindle her passion for dance.
Lopez said he believes the story will be “important for our audience,” as college students.
“It is okay to do the thing you love — whether this is English, engineering, medical school or even the arts,” he said.
Lopez has been involved with The Callbacks since last fall, his first term on campus, when he performed in their cabaret show. Outside of The Callbacks, he has also been involved in the student-run Displaced Theatre Company and the Rude Mechanicals as an actor and sound technician.
To Lopez’s knowledge, this production is the first Kate Bush jukebox musical. Calling Bush a “mastermind of her music,” Lopez explained that her “theatrical” style — from her music videos to her costumes — inspired him to make a musical using her songs.
“I always thought that her music could act as great dance pieces,” Lopez said.
Lopez said this idea specifically began as a class assignment in his THEA 50: “Playwriting 1” class, where he started writing the show, which is currently in its fifth version.
Lopez is an experienced choreographer. Last term, he choreographed a dance for the theater department’s First Year Project showcase, and he said he has choreographed four musicals before.
Reflecting Bush’s music style, Lopez described the choreography of “Hounds of Love” as “surreal and abstract.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Kaley Beth Roberts
Ben Killian ’29, who will be playing Ella’s dad, added that every choice is nonetheless very “intentional.”
“I think that there’s a lot of things that Nate intentionally put in for people to notice,” Killian said.
The show marks Lopez’ debut as a director. Despite initial nervousness, Lopez said he thinks that “being the playwright of the show you’re directing makes the experience much easier.”
“It is much easier for me to give direction to my cast, as I know each character’s wants and motives,” Lopez said.
He explained that the process of putting on the show involved learning about many aspects of theater-making, including “directing, holding auditions, arranging sheet music, doing a little bit of dramaturgy and so much more.”
Jussynda Burns ’29, an ensemble member in the show, said she wanted to audition for “Hounds of Love” because she “grew to miss” the theater after a hiatus from it in college.
“Theater [has] just been a big part of my life for a long time, but I kind of stopped when I was going through the college process,” she said.
Odete Coss ’29, another ensemble member, said her involvement in the show has allowed her to expand her artistic “toolbox.”
“I’m not a singer or a dancer — I’m an actor. So being able to do [those things] and seeing that I’m not bad at [them] is really awesome,” Coss said.
Moreover, Coss described being part of the fulfillment of Lopez’ vision as highly rewarding.
“I get to help make my friend’s dreams come true,” she said.
Lopez said he is looking forward to the audience seeing his innovative use of Bush’s songs.
“I think the audience will love to see how I took pre-existing Kate Bush songs and put them in the context of an entire plot,” he said.
“Hounds of Love” will be showing at the Warner Bentley Theater in the Hopkins Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 and at 1 p.m. on Feb. 28”.
There have been cases of Kate Bush being spotlighted in various ways around the world. I have said before how, in 2022, a Brisbane choir covered Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) and they received a thanks from Kate Bush. Baby Bushka is a San Diego, California-based eight-woman powerhouse troupe that performs Kate Bush covers. They are one of a few tribute acts or groups who perform Kate Bush songs. You know it is not only the U.S. and Australia where Kate Bush is inspiring. It does make me want to look more at what is happening around the world. The local-level salutes to this music icon. We talk about how massive artists are influenced by Kate Bush. However, there is something more compelling and interesting when we look at these smaller projects, groups and interesting events. I recently wrote about a couple of Kate Bush events in the U.K. The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is coming up and I know last year offered some revues, charity nights and tribute acts. Given how Kate Bush continues to make an impact in music and her songs are being discovered and shared by a whole new generation, it is not a surprise that people are honouring that in their own way. If artists love Kate Bush for their reasons, things like musical in California has different dynamics and personal meanings. I don’t know if we have had a Kate Bush musical here. I also am curious what is in store this year. Given the momentum that Wuthering Heights recently gained, I suspect that something around that song will come to light. We have TikTok videos and things online. People posting clips of Kate Bush songs. However, I do love it when people go to greater lengths to show their appreciation of Kate Bush. It is a shame that there is not a forum, fan club or website where those who are doing something Kate Bush-related can post. It would be amazing to have a global map and see what is happening. Maybe Kate Bush herself would react to that. We discuss music-related connections to Kate Bush’s work. However, there are those across theatre, literature and art (and beyond) that warrant greater focus. Showing just how wide-ranging and multi-discipline her music and influence is, it is always heartening when people celebrate this woman’s work. I do think that the rest of this year will see more examples than ever of people embarking on projects or incorporating Kate Bush’s music into an original work. A representation of and emphasis on…
HER unique genius.