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“And then it became a point where everything started to have to be shorter.”
With 43 million albums sold, Bat Out of Hell ranks behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller, AC/DC’s Back in Black and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon on the all-time best-selling list.
As the album marks the 40th anniversary since its release, Steinman has brought fresh sizzle to Bat Out of Hell by encompassing the hits into a stage show making its North America premiere this fall.
Following a sold-out run in Manchester and a stint at London’s Coliseum Theatre opening in June, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical is set to begin shows in Toronto on Oct. 14 at Ed Mirvish Theatre.
Steinman created the books, music and lyrics for the musical centred on star-crossed love, rebellion and rock ’n’ roll.
The musical features some of Steinman’s and Meat Loaf’s biggest hits, including I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That), You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.
For Meat Loaf — a seasoned stage performer and an associate producer on the show — his collaborator’s creation is a natural fit for the theatre.
“If any musician has ever learned Bat Out of Hell or any of Jim Steinman’s songs, they’re more in the line of operas,” says Meat Loaf. “I hate saying that because they’re rock records. But in chord structure-wise, if you hear the first verse of Bat Out of Hell, it’s nothing like the second verse — different chords. Even the choruses, the melodies are the same, but the chords vary.”
Meat Loaf was in Toronto recently for a mini street concert featuring