Synopsis
Sex, drugs and rock’n’roll hit the stage in this incredible new musical from Jonathan Densem, Damon Fealy and Peter Murphy. Go behind the scenes at the 30th birthday of the world’s biggest rockstar – King!
ACT I
The show opens on a huge rock concert in Milan as King smashes out his signature punk-rock anthem King of the World, with his older brother John on lead guitar. As he launches into his epic guitar solo, we see King struggling backstage as his best friend/manager Benny tries to get him to confront the fact that he is dying. But the show must go on and King bursts back onto the stage for the final chorus as the scene morphs to reveal the eight friends preparing for the birthday celebration at King’s mansion. The Best Friends in the World make their way to the reunion, with Benny and high-powered lawyer Beatrice (B) enjoying their usual war-of-words and John revealing his bitterness towards his younger brother. His companion Connie (hoping for something to leak to the press) gets a light-hearted glimpse into the early years as Danny, Benny and B tell her The Story – Chapter 1. As the night winds down, Benny and B find themselves alone in the lounge and banter in You’re Perfect as You Are. Outside, John sings about having his dream hijacked by his little brother in I Deserve It, and elsewhere King joins him in song as he faces his own mortality. The next day their little sister Stef arrives and 20 year-old Cal is immediately smitten. We see Connie’s Call as she reveals her true nature discussing digging-up dirt on King with a tabloid-blog editor. Meanwhile Danny and King set-up Cal and Stef with the advice Don’t Say It, before turning their attention to Benny and B. The start by tricking him into believing she’s secretly in love with him. Remarkably it works and, alone in the garden, Benny defends himself and his playboy ways in Love ‘em All. They finish by convincing B that Benny would never go for her because she’s too good for him (and too old) and she sings I Can Wait For Love. The day ends with Cal and Stef Flirting on the balcony, before making their way to Stef’s room for the night. The third day is King’s birthday as the friends’ stories continue to unfold at the Party of the Year. Up to no-good, Connie bullies John into convincing Cal that Benny has also been sleeping with Stef with Lies. He is unconvinced but hunts down Benny (whom Stef is coincidentally helping into his corset for the costume party that night), to find out Is It True? Trying to be helpful, Benny talks-up Stef too highly and inadvertently confirms his suspicions. In the midst of all this, King opens up to B and Danny and reveals his imminent death. With emotions at an all-time high, the costume party is tense as the Act I Finale sees Connie and John setting Benny up for a non-existent rendezvous with B; Danny and B join King in facing his illness, and; Cal and Stef having a full-blown argument…all as they gather to cut the cake. “Hip Hip, Hooray!”
ACT II
It Should be Raining as King’s three best friends Danny, Benny and B deal with the thought of life without him. King confronts Cal to discover why he was fighting with Stef and learns that John is involved, further driving a wedge between them. He agrees to meet that night and prove that it’s untrue. Benny, still confused that B is in love with him, turns to Danny for advice and learns that relationships are all about The Little Things. Connie (looking to distract everyone so she can snoop) organizes a girls’ night in the pool house with B and Stef. John confronts his brother about the song King was supposed to write for his album. He tries to explain but John storms off. King takes his guitar and plays the song he has been writing for John – Love Lives On. That night, the girls mope in the pool house, King and Cal spy on Benny’s room, Benny goes to meet B in the garden and Danny films it all from his balcony. With the lights low, Connie and John pretend to be Stef hooking up with Benny in his bedroom, for King and Cal’s prying eyes. Benny contemplates the possibility that B might be the Perfect Girl for him but, when she doesn’t show, decides she has tricked him. John and Connie finally get into King’s files and discover the truth about his health. She’s ecstatic and he leaves, devastated by the news and knowing he can’t stop her from leaking it (I Deserve It – Reprise). The morning brings more tension and an all-in argument that ends with Cal punching Benny in the face and Stef decides to leave as they make Much Ado About Nothing. Connie calls the gossip-blogger with the good news about her story in Connie’s Curtain Call. Benny and B meet, argue and then hook-up. At lunch, Danny reveals the truth about everything in The Story – Chapter 2, and ruins Connie’s scoop by streaming the whole thing live online. She leaves and the friends are left to pick up the pieces. Cal is distraught that he drove away the love of his life, when Stef appears and they both agree to love each other Forever. B and Benny join the sentiment, revealing their plans to get married. The group comes back together to sing a Best Friends in the World (Reprise). The song ends on a sustained minor chord as we jump forward eight months to King’s wake. The friends are gathered again to say goodbye to their fallen friend. They are all paying their respects when a repentant John appears and is welcomed back. Stef hands him a note, along with the song that their brother left for him. He takes King’s guitar and plays the tune, singing that “Even when the light goes out, the Love Lives On.” The stage transforms into a live concert as John plays his multi-platinum single. It becomes an epic finale as he is joined by the entire cast.