David Bowie's 'Lazarus' returns to Italy with Manuel Agnelli

David Bowie's rock opera 'Lazarus', co-written with Enda Walsh, is touring Italy again after a successful 2023 run. The Italian adaptation, produced by ERT/Emilia Romagna Teatro and directed by Valter Malosti, stars Manuel Agnelli as Thomas Jerome Newton. The show began in Cesena in April, visited northern cities, and runs at Milan's Teatro Arcimboldi until June 1, then at Rome's Teatro Argentina from June 5 to 15. The musical is a sequel to Walter Tevis's 1963 novel 'The Man Who Fell to Earth' and its 1976 film starring Bowie. It follows Newton, an alien trapped on Earth, sinking into alcoholism and madness. The narrative is deliberately fragmented and surreal, using cut-up techniques and oblique strategies inspired by Brian Eno. The cast includes Camilla Nigro, Casadilego (X Factor 2020 winner), and Dario Battaglia. Live musicians include guitarists Stefano Pilia and Paolo Spaccamonti. Bowie, who died in 2016, considered 'Lazarus' his theatrical dream realized.