Craig Carnelia’s musical, usually referred to by its opening quantity, is a tune cycle exploring themes of escape, each literal and metaphorical. Characters grapple with bodily journeys, like a girl leaving her husband, and inner struggles, akin to a person confronting his worry of heights. The work makes use of quite a lot of musical kinds to convey these complicated feelings, from hovering ballads to driving, rhythmic items.
Carnelia’s piece resonates resulting from its common themes of craving and self-discovery. The work’s exploration of human feelings by way of the metaphor of flight gives a robust and relatable framework for audiences to attach with. Premiering Off-Broadway in 1970, it gained vital approval for its progressive construction and emotionally resonant rating, solidifying Carnelia’s fame as a major voice in musical theatre.
