![]() history, narrated through music that was popular in American culture since its founding in 1776 to 2016. Part performance art, part theatrical extravaganza, part concert, it offered an alternative take on U.S. In actuality, none of those clunky, generalized designations convey who Mac is or what Mac creates, which might more aptly be understood as a blend that comes together, as needed, to create something greater – or at least, more provocative – than the sum of its parts.Ĭhallenging, razor sharp in its observations and commentary about American culture, and deliberately confrontational, Mac’s plays and performances are also rife with absurdity, centering themselves in a comedic, deceptively campy vein as they deconstruct the social attitudes that fuel so much of our contemporary “culture wars.” In no case (to date, at least) have Mac’s gifts been distilled so liberally into the fabric of a live performance as in the “24-Decade History” project.Ĭreated in collaboration with musical director Matt Ray over roughly a decade, it was a magnum opus that was performed as intended – as a 24-hour immersive theatrical experience in front of a live audience – only once, at St. MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant, Pulitzer Prize finalist, Tony nominee – to get across how well he does what he does. Just as easily, one could invoke his numerous honors and accolades – winner of the John D. ![]() Mac, who conceived, wrote and performed the epic performance event at the center of HBO’s eponymous documentary “Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of American Popular Music,” is admittedly hard to classify precisely, though one could use any number of labels – actor, playwright, performance artist, director, producer, singer-songwriter – to describe what Mac does. ![]() ![]() If the name Taylor Mac is unknown to you, it might conjure images of some hard-edged pop diva, known for a tell-it-like-it-is fierceness and a willingness to dive into their personal life for material – and in truth, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. ![]()
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