John Moran Opera The Jack Benny Program
added to IJBFC Video Library

I am very pleased to announce after two years of discussion, I am obtaining a copy of John Moran’s opera Jack Benny!  (aka, The Jack Benny Program).  I watched it at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts back in January of 2011, and I thought it was one of the most inventive (and mind-blowing) artistic creations that I’d ever seen inspired by Jack and the program.  Moran was 24 years old at the time of its debut in 1989, and was inspired by the late-night reruns on CBN during the 1980s.  For anyone who has been a regular viewer of the syndication package, you will easily be able to say, “Oh, he’s doing the show where Jack visits the Pasadena Fan Club,” etc.  Credit to John himself for his unflagging support of my efforts to get this work out for broader appreciation.

That said, this work will not be for everyone.  It is not an opera by traditional standards, as the audio is almost exclusively a remix of Benny television clips (plus a few other shows...The Big Valley is one that comes to mind).  Actors lip-synch to the audio, often performing the same vignette over and over with slight visual changes (e.g., the seeming 6’5 actress in the Toni Marcus role gets increasingly irritated with Jack as he asks her repeatedly how old she is).  Electronic editing also alters the perception of well-known scenes, as in Jack celebrating Don’s anniversary and bringing out a variety of honors and gifts. 

If the concept of an African American Dennis Day careening a straitjacketed, maniacally-laughing Don Wilson around the stage in a wheelchair under strobe lights intrigues you, then watch the IJBFC Web site for this to be added to the library collection.  If not, then know that it’s out there if you meet someone whose Benny tastes run to the exotic.

I have also created a disc of the three programs which served as inspiration for Moran's work, which can be ordered in addition to the opera.

Click here for instructions on how to order material from the IJBFC Library.