Gotham Gossipist: Steve Martin Brings Bluegrass To Shakespeare In The Park
By Kimberly Rae Miller
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- No joke.
Famed funny man Steve Martin, will reportedly be scoring this year's Shakespeare in the Park rendition of "As You Like It" for the Public Theater.
That's right. Martin, famous for his comedic work and play writing, is also an award-winning musician. He won the 2009 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, and was named as the International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainer of the Year in 2011.
Now The Big Year star and his banjo have a new gig. Martin has been tasked with bringing Director Daniel Sullivan's vision of the show to life musically. The bluegrass tunes should work for the show, as the Public Theater version will feature a bit of twang.
"Sullivan will set the play's famous Forest of Arden in the rural American South, circa 1840, where folk and roots music perfectly capture the mood of the time," said a statement from the Public Theater.
While Martin will be composing the music, there's no word yet on whether or not he'll be making any guest appearances with the band.
