I Watched Twyla Tharp's Bob Dylan Musical So You Don't Have To

But you can…

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Photo via New York Times

A couple times a year, I rewatch one of the funniest videos I’ve ever seen. It’s a performance of “Like a Rolling Stone” on The View, promoting the first Bob Dylan Broadway musical: the 2006 flop The Times They Are a-Changin’. 

I recently tweeted a clip, and it went viral. I thought everyone already knew about this trainwreck—apparently not. Here’s that video:

Some replies compared this to a 30 Rock plot come to life. Others to something Martin Short’s character would direct on Only Murders in the Building. The most-cited comparison was Springtime for Hitler, the intentionally-terrible stage production in The Producers.

Why does this exist? There’s no satisfying answer to that question, but here is some backstory. In 2006, renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp was coming off a hit musical adaptation of the Billy Joel songbook, and decided to try the same trick with Dylan’s catalog. It did not go as well. Reviews were brutal, and the show closed after 28 days.

Up until recently, that View clip was all I’d ever seen from this show. This famous flop was not filmed or televised. That’s the only YouTube evidence it ever existed. 

Until now.

A couple kind souls helped me track down an audience-captured video recording of the entire show (thanks John and Marcos!). I strapped in and watched it and have survived—barely—to share my thoughts, and, god help me, the full video.

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The show’s official Playbill described the plot thus:

“A tale of fathers and sons, of men and women, of leaders and followers, of immobility and change, The Times They Are A-Changin’ uses prophecy, parable, metaphor, accusation and confession—like the Dylan songs which comprise it—to confront us with images and ideas of who we are, and who it is possible to be.”

Not much of that comes across when you watch it. It’s one of those musicals with no dialog. And since all these assorted lyrics were not written to tell one story, the “plot” (if there is one) becomes extremely hard to follow. Background research tells me the three main characters are Coyote, the young milquetoast protagonist; Lady Cleo, the love interest whose bellydancing job gives the production a convenient excuse to have her wearing little for most of the show; and Captain Ahrab, the aging ringmaster.

I have watched the entire show and cannot tell you the storyline much beyond that. It takes place in a circus, that much is clear from the giant neon sign that says “CIRCUS.” Coyote and Cleo fall in love. I think Captain Ahrab gets beaten to death in a wrestling match during “Gotta Serve Somebody”?

Okay, enough preamble. I’ve pulled out some selected video highlights (or lowlights) below. Not every song, due to some being captured by this brave bootlegger better than others, but many of them.

Bear in mind, these clips cannot be unseen. I can’t promise they won’t ruin Bob Dylan songs forever for you. If your vision of “Dignity” does not involve a floppy-eared dog-boy doing backflips, turn away while you still can. This is your final warning.