Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History of Popular Music

Name: Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History of Popular Music
Genre: Music, Documentary
Released: June 27, 2023
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Anastasia Durasova, Machine Dazzle, Matt Ray, Niegel Smith, Taylor Mac

2023

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Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

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Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History Of Popular Music

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO Max | Release Date (Streaming): June 27, 2023 | Not Rated

Starring: Anastasia Durasova, Machine Dazzle, Matt Ray, Niegel Smith, Taylor Mac

Summary: In 2016, Taylor Mac performed a one-time-only, 24-hour immersive theatrical experience in front of a live audience at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. The concert offered an alternative take on U.S. history, narrated through music that was popular from the nation’s founding to the present, with Mac transforming hourly by changing intoIn 2016, Taylor Mac performed a one-time-only, 24-hour immersive theatrical experience in front of a live audience at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. The concert offered an alternative take on U.S. history, narrated through music that was popular from the nation’s founding to the present, with Mac transforming hourly by changing into elaborate, decade-specific costumes by Mac’s longtime collaborator Machine Dazzle. The documentary captures Mac’s marathon performance in New York, alongside footage from other shows on the tour, which played throughout the world. In the show, Mac and 24 musicians interpret 24 songs, from “Yankee Doodle” to “Gimme Shelter,” “Born to Run,” and “Gloria,” with one performer leaving the stage each hour, until Mac is on stage alone in the final 24th hour. Rich with stunning musical performances, surprising and revelatory historical interpretation, comedic banter, and audience interaction, the performance is intercut with intimate off-stage interviews with Mac and his closest collaborators. In the interview, Mac, who uses the gender pronoun “judy,” outlines judy’s personal story and artistic aim “to dream the culture forward.” The film also offers a behind-the-scenes window into the work of costume designer Machine Dazzle, who incorporates elaborate, humorous references to American life in each of the 24 decades depicted in Mac’s wildly extravagant outfits.… Expand

Director: Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein

Genre(s): Music, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

David Rooney

Jun 27, 2023

Emerging from this extraordinary theatrical happening like a weary but still commanding oracle, Mac has shared a vision of America both personal and probing — tender, bruised and yet defiantly, magnificently hopeful. It’s simultaneously delirious and graced by what seems almost like ancient queer wisdom from somewhere way out there in the cosmos. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Jun 27, 2023

Even though I couldn’t imagine the endurance contest of experiencing the show in person in real time, this documentary — which identifies via graphics the songs and their earlier-than-you-realized dates of composition — leaves you wanting more. As dazzling as this highlights sampler can be, one hopes more of it will be released in bite-sized servings. Read full review

Noel Murray

Jun 27, 2023

Even if Epstein and Friedman don’t fully document Mac’s vision, they do get across what it was and why it mattered. This movie is a lovingly crafted memento of a remarkable achievement, one that compressed Mac‘s life and much of modern history into 24 hours of wild stunts and show-stopping show-tunes. Read full review

Elisabeth Vincentelli

Jun 27, 2023

We do see some of the audience participation, which was an integral part of the show, but we don’t hear from attendees. It’s a loss, because the event was, in essence, about the making of community through the ages but also through one day and night. Read full review

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TVJerry

Jul 1, 2023

We first discovered Taylor Mac when he performed at University of Richmond several years ago (and we loved the straight-laced and prob straight walkouts at his outrageousness). We also saw a display at the Museum of Art & Design of the incredible costumes that judy (that's the pronoun heWe first discovered Taylor Mac when he performed at University of Richmond several years ago (and we loved the straight-laced and prob straight walkouts at his outrageousness). We also saw a display at the Museum of Art & Design of the incredible costumes that judy (that's the pronoun he prefers) wore for this show in 2016. It's a 24-hour performance art concert that features a popular song from every decade, often re-framed thru a modern lens. The way Mac makes those observations fabulous is simply brilliant. Judy does wear drag, not to look like a woman, but as a metaphor for the theme of the current segment. The show starts with a 24-piece ensemble and every hour one member leaves the stage until judy's alone for the final song. The show features delightful surprises and a few moments of touching tenderness. There's also audience interaction in the theater and on stage. Even though this is a recording of the actual event, it superbly captures the magic, wonder, hilarity and outrage of this dazzling and important artist.… Expand

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