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Frank Zappa’s Raunchy Rock Opera “Joe’s Garage” Debuts in L.A. -- [rollingstone.com]

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Sep 30, 2008, 2:27:56 AM9/30/08

Frank Zappa’s Raunchy Rock Opera “Joe’s Garage” Debuts in L.A.

9/29/08, 4:33 pm EST
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/09/29/frank-zappas-raunchy-rock-opera-joes-garage-debuts-in-los-angeles/

Almost 30 years since the original release of Frank Zappa’s unrealized
stage play Joe’s Garage, director Pat Towne has brought the Rolling
Stone-dubbed “unproducible” musical to Hollywood’s Open Fist Theatre.
Joe’s Garage imagines a world where music is banned — the plot follows
its protagonist as he discovers the obscene powers of rock & roll, the
lazy appeal of religion and the benefits of a nice yellow apron when
having sex with a robot (Joe dons that ass-less costume for the bulk of
the show).

The show debuted Friday during the first presidential debate, and the
irony wasn’t lost on Zappa’s widow, Gail, who says the current political
climate was no small factor in finally bringing the show to life.
“[Joe’s Garage] is made for people who love this country and love the
Constitution,” she told Rolling Stone after the premiere, which she
attended with a crew that included daughter Diva. “It’s just so
relevant… these are desperate times and people are trying to convince
themselves that information is knowledge, and it’s not.”

Joe’s Garage has no shortage of vulgarity, charade fellatio or STDs (one
of the songs, “Why Does it Hurt When I Pee,” is performed in a Styrofoam
toilet with chomping teeth). But the effect is signature Zappa,
balancing brilliant arrangements that manage to be at once dissonant and
melodic with a satirical use of shock value. At the end, though, it’s
one to many shocks for Joe — after uncovering his love of rock & roll,
turning to religion for redemption, having sex with appliances and being
raped by the music industry (literally) in prison, he goes mad. “As you
can see,” says the Central Scrutinizer, narrator of the show, “music can
get you pretty fucked up.”

“I never thought it would get off the ground,” said Gail. “Frank tried
many times in his lifetime and there were many people that would talk to
me about [producing the show]. But they were always concerned about the
language.” Gail herself has held a notoriously tight fist on everything
Zappa, fighting to ensure the artistic integrity of her husband’s songs.
But now, the timing and people felt right. The show runs through
November 22nd.