precisamos falar sobre o EPIC: the musical

Summary

In January 2021, Jorge Riveira Herrans, also known as Jay, shared on TikTok that he was writing a musical inspired by Homer's *Odyssey*. Over time, his TikTok journey of composing and engaging with fans grew into a global community, helping create *Epic The Musical*. The musical, a sung-through production, explores the adventures of Odysseus after the Trojan War. It blends Greek mythology with modern musical influences, including elements from video games, anime, and orchestral music. The musical is currently available on streaming platforms, and there are talks of transforming it into an animated film and stage production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jorge Rivera Herrans, also known as Jay, started composing 'Epic The Musical' in 2019, based on Homer's 'Odyssey'.
• 😀 The musical is sung through, meaning it has no spoken dialogues, and the entire story is told through 40 songs across two acts and nine sagas.
• 😀 The musical features a unique blend of Greek mythology with modern themes, focusing on the concept of 'ruthlessness', or being relentless to protect what's important.
• 😀 Jay creatively engaged the audience during the writing process by sharing his work on TikTok, allowing fans to audition for character roles using the duet feature.
• 😀 The musical's score associates specific instruments with characters, such as the guitar for Odysseus, piano for Athena, and trumpet for Poseidon, enhancing the narrative.
• 😀 Jay drew inspiration for the musical not just from other musicals, but from video games and anime, aiming to capture the addictive feeling of progression and overcoming obstacles.
• 😀 In addition to the music, the character-driven themes are enhanced by musical motifs, like repeating melodies for characters or emotions, such as Odysseus' theme for Penelope.
• 😀 The musical uses electronic and orchestral instruments to differentiate between mortals and gods, with gods being represented by more electronic sounds.
• 😀 'Epic The Musical' was first shared on TikTok in 2021, with the last conceptual album being released in December 2024, marking the completion of the musical's story.
• 😀 Although there's no stage version of 'Epic' yet, the musical has been adapted into animated videos and can be found on streaming platforms. A potential animated film adaptation is also in the works.

Q & A

What inspired Jorge Rivera Herrans to create Epic The Musical?

Jorge was originally studying to become a doctor, but after developing a passion for musical theater, he shifted his focus to studying theater. He was inspired by video games, anime, and the story of Homer's *Odyssey* to create Epic The Musical, blending elements from these sources to craft a unique narrative.

What is the core theme of Epic The Musical?

The core theme of Epic The Musical is 'ruthlessness,' which is explored through the protagonist, Odysseus. The musical examines how being implacable or relentless is sometimes necessary to protect oneself and loved ones.

How did Jorge engage the community in the creation of Epic The Musical?

Jorge used TikTok to document his process of creating Epic The Musical, sharing snippets of songs and inviting people to audition for character roles. This approach helped him build a community of fans who were actively involved in the musical's development.

What is a sung-through musical, and how does Epic fit this description?

A sung-through musical is one in which all the dialogue and storytelling are delivered through songs, without spoken lines. Epic The Musical fits this format, as it contains 40 songs that carry the entire narrative of the story, from start to finish.

What role do musical instruments play in Epic The Musical?

Each character in Epic The Musical is represented by a specific musical instrument that reflects their personality and role in the story. For example, Odysseus is represented by the guitar, Athena by the piano, and Poseidon by the trumpet, among others.

How does the musical incorporate motifs and themes through music?

Epic uses recurring musical themes or motifs to symbolize specific characters, emotions, or ideas. For example, Penelope's theme is repeated in various forms, both vocally and instrumentally, whenever Odysseus reflects on her. This technique helps reinforce the narrative and emotional depth of the story.

Why are the gods and mortals in Epic The Musical represented by different soundscapes?

The gods and immortals are represented by more electronic and distorted sounds, while the mortals are associated with more acoustic and orchestral instruments. This contrast in sound design highlights the difference between the human and divine realms in the story.

What makes the relationship between Odysseus and Athena unique in Epic The Musical?

In Epic The Musical, Odysseus and Athena share a special mentor-student relationship. Athena’s role is emphasized both lyrically and musically, with her theme often incorporating fast, intricate musical motifs that mirror her wisdom and influence over Odysseus.

How did Jorge Rivera Herrans blend video game and anime influences into Epic The Musical?

Jorge drew inspiration from video games by structuring the musical like a series of progressively difficult levels or obstacles, and from anime by incorporating large emotional themes and dramatic moments. These influences helped shape the musical's pacing and emotional depth.

What is the current status of Epic The Musical, and how can people experience it?

Epic The Musical has been released as a series of conceptual albums on streaming platforms like Spotify. While there is no stage production yet, fans can experience the story through these albums and various fan-created animatics available online. There is also hope for a film adaptation in the future.