Video: Karen O’s "Stop The Virgens" Documentary

The Creators Project released a 30 plus minute documentary on the making of Karen O’s rock opera “Stop The Virgins.” Featuring footage and interviews with many of the players involved from performers to set designers and musicians, the footage offers fans an unprecedented look at the creative process behind putting the show together. 

“Seven years ago, Karen O started working on an album that never saw the light of day. She came to realize the material “was much broader than… a rock record.” Heavily inspired by cinema and theater during her writing process, Karen says she always envisioned the record as more than just music but never had the right outlet for it. Finally, the manifestation of this introspective exercise comes in the form of a psycho-opera of sorts, entitled Stop the Virgens, which debuted last October in DUMBO at St. Ann’s Warehouse in conjunction with our Creators Project: New York event.”

Video: Creators Project - Karen O in Stop the Virgins

Six years ago, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs started working on an album, but she came to realize the material “was much broader than putting it out as a rock record.” The final manifestation of this introspective exercise is a psycho-opera of sorts, and the unique performance entitled, Stop the Virgens, debuts today, October 12th in DUMBO in conjunction with St. Ann’s Warehouse and The Creators Project New York .She teamed up with co-creator and production designer K.K. Barrett (who has worked on films like Where the Wild Things Are and Lost in Translation) to conceive what Karen describes as an assault on the tragic joys of youth, fever dreams drenched in visual seduction, a cathartic spell spun through a cycle of nine songs.

They weren’t quite sure how to categorize the genre-blending performance, because its narrative doesn’t flow quite like that of a musical. The effect is a lot more emotional and dramatic, closer to an opera… but then again, it’s no Carmen or La Boheme, and Karen’s bewitching cries are not those of your average sopranos. Director Adam Rapp says it’s an “autobiographical journey for her, she’s putting it all out there in that way.”

The psycho-opera, produced by The Studio, is an extremely multidisclipinary and chaotic visual treat as it combines theater with rock music, enhanced with video projections and technology. And yes, Karen’s outlandish style will be spotlighted, as her personal costume designer Christian Joy is outfitting the entire cast.

It seems to be an experience better seen than described, as fellow Yeah Yeah Yeah’s bandmate Nick Zinner says: “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen or heard. It’s going to blow people’s minds.”

The Creators Project New York takes place October 15-16, the free event will feature musical guests The Field, Clams Casino, Florence + The Machine, Justice, Company Flow, JJ and many  more. Make sure to sign up for your free ticket HERE.

UPDATE: March 2, 2012
Check out the new documentary on the production HERE.