Madame X/The Brain That Wouldn't Die
Files
Abstract
When rumors swirl about John Singer Sargent’s secret romance with his male muse, the famed painter hatches a bold plan: paint the most beautiful woman in Paris and let the world believe she’s his lover. But the cover-up backfires, igniting a scandal that threatens his art, his love, and his legacy. In 1880s Paris appearances are everything, and homosexuality and divorce are taboo. In this show, each character must choose: live within the safety of a facade, or live authentically and risk everything./The Brain That Wouldn’t Die is a musical adaptation of the 1962 sci-fi cult-classic film. A surgeon named Jan wishes to be recognized for her intellect rather than her beauty, a wish that takes an ironic turn when she is decapitated in a car accident. Her mad scientist husband, Bill, then manages to bring her head back to life, setting in motion a 72-hour race against time to find her a new body. Fueled by B-movie camp and a retro-modern score, this show is a hilarious, satirical take on the absurd pursuit of perfection.
Publication Date
7-1-2025
Campus
New York City Campus
Specialization
Writing and Production for Musical Theater
Recommended Citation
Grayson, Brandon. “Madame X/The Brain That Wouldn't Die.” Master's thesis, Berklee College of Music, 2025. https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-cmat/190.