
Overview
Synopsis
The Last Session premiered Off-Broadway in New York City in 1997 and is known for its powerful storytelling, emotional depth, and memorable musical numbers.
The plot of The Last Session revolves around a fictionalized version of composer Steve Schalchlin himself, who is a singer-songwriter living with AIDS. Set in a recording studio in Los Angeles, the story unfolds over the course of a single afternoon as Steve gathers with a group of musicians to record what he intends to be his final album, hence the title The Last Session.
As the recording session progresses, the characters confront their fears, regrets, and hopes for the future. The music becomes a vehicle for expressing their deepest emotions and grappling with the challenges of living with illness and facing mortality. Despite the heavy subject matter, the musical also features moments of humor, camaraderie, and resilience.
Show Information
- Book
- Jim Brochu
- Music
- Steve Schalchlin
- Lyrics
- John Bettis , Marie Cain
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1997
- Genres
- Dark Comedy, Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Los Angeles, A recording studio
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
---|---|---|---|
Lead |
Male |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
Lead |
Male |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
Songs
- Opening
- Save Me a Seat
- Preacher and the Nurse
- Somebody's Friend
- The Group
- Going It Alone
- At Least I Know
- Friendly Fire
- Connected
- The Singer and the Song
- When You Care
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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