Chris Rosenbloom Reimagines “Bronco Billy”
Many know “Bronco Billy” as the 1980 Western film with Clint Eastwood, an adventurous ‘period piece’ tale of a Wild West traveling circus. The misfit crew of performers make no money yet persevere together over seemingly impossible odds. Among the struggles is a dynamic love story between Billy himself and a rich heiress, with elements of loyalty, betrayal and the timeless struggle between socioeconomic classes. Partisan political unrest, the ubiquitous desire for the American Dream, and large-scale social changes are some elements that set the stage for an engaging Western adventure.
Recently, almost 40 years after the film’s release, the original script writer enlisted the help of Chip Rosenbloom to reimagine the film as a musical live theater production. They agreed to revive the original story with the same creative origins, but with a re-invented, modern and lively approach. Rosenbloom’s musical score, which has a significant disco influence, playfully leads the audience through a rowdy physical comedy, replete with laughs, gasps and tears.
The theater production was released in 2019 and, although “Bronco Billy” was Rosenbloom’s first musical production, the critics agree that it was a smashing success. Stage Scene LA called it “infectiously crowd-pleasing.”
Chip Rosenbloom has had a long dynamic career as a songwriter, composer and filmmaker. He
is an outstanding influence in musical education at the University of Southern California, as a member of the USC Board of Councilors and an ambassador for the USC school of music. Just recently, an album of his compositions was recorded by the Budapest Symphony.
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