Review: ‘Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music’ – An Epic Journey – The Gentleman Report
Taylor Mac, a writer and performer, dedicated years to crafting an ambitious project called “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music.” This project covered 240 years of American history and showcased excerpts of the show at various concerts. However, on October 8-9, 2016, he embarked on a 24-hour marathon performance of all 246 songs. This monumental event was described as a “radical faerie realness ritual sacrifice” and took place at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. It was a transformative artistic and political gesture that I was lucky enough to witness firsthand.
Now, a documentary by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, known for their films “The Celluloid Closet” and “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” gives us a condensed glimpse into Mac’s extraordinary achievement. The documentary captures his remarkable range as an interpreter, his theatrical flair, and his mischievous and often satirical humor. Collaborators such as costume designer Machine Dazzle and makeup artist Anastasia Durasova also share their insights into the meticulous creations that helped bring this project to life.
Taylor Mac, a skilled writer and performer, spent years developing a groundbreaking project known as “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music.” The project aimed to cover 240 years of American history and included excerpts of the show at numerous concerts. However, on October 8-9, 2016, Mac embarked on a 24-hour marathon performance of all 246 songs. This was no ordinary event, as it was described as a “radical faerie realness ritual sacrifice” and held at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. Witnessing this transformative artistic and political gesture firsthand was a privilege.
Now, a new documentary by award-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman provides a condensed look at Mac’s remarkable achievement. The film showcases Mac’s exceptional range as an interpreter, his theatrical flair, and his mischievous and often satirical humor. Collaborators such as costume designer Machine Dazzle and makeup artist Anastasia Durasova also share their insights into the meticulous creations that helped bring this project to life.
Overall, Taylor Mac’s “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music” was a monumental undertaking that showcased his immense talent as a writer and performer. The documentary provides a glimpse of this groundbreaking project and serves as a testament to Mac’s artistry.
Taylor Mac, the writer and performer, dedicated years to creating “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music,” an ambitious project that spanned 240 years of American history. He performed excerpts of the show at concerts, but on October 8-9, 2016, he embarked on a 24-hour marathon performance of all 246 songs. This monumental event, described as a “radical faerie realness ritual sacrifice,” took place at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn and was a transformative artistic and political gesture. I had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand.
Now, a documentary by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, known for their films “The Celluloid Closet” and “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” offers a condensed glimpse into Mac’s extraordinary achievement. The documentary captures his remarkable range as an interpreter, his theatrical flair, and his mischievous and often satirical humor. Collaborators such as costume designer Machine Dazzle and makeup artist Anastasia Durasova also share insights into their meticulous creations.
