NSYNC’s JC Chasez is back in the spotlight, but this time he’s bringing Frankenstein along for the ride.
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has teamed up with Golden Globe-winning composer Jimmy Harry to release a concept album for their new musical Playing With Fire, set to drop on October 25, 2024, via Center Stage Records.
This project marks a significant moment for JC, as it’s his first major musical theatre recording.
Co-written by Chasez and Harry, Playing With Fire brings to life a musicalised version of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein, but with a fresh, modern twist.
Chasez also lends his vocals to the album, joining forces with vocalists Cardamon Rozzi and Lily Elise.
Playing With Fire is not your typical Frankenstein retelling. The album takes place ten years after the death of Frankenstein’s wife, Elizabeth, with the scientist and his Creature meeting at her grave.
The pair reflect on their shared history through a series of flashbacks, touching on themes of technology, love, loss, and forgiveness.
Chasez and Harry were initially drawn to Shelley’s futuristic ideas, especially around technology and A.G.I., but as they delved deeper, they found themselves exploring more human emotions—family relationships, deceit, and denial.
“When we started, we couldn’t help but lean into themes of love, deceit, and denial,” Chasez says. “In the end, we flipped the technological beast on its side to show that, despite all its power, it doesn’t change our basic humanity.”
Tracklist for Playing With Fire
- This Is How the World Ends
- How Do You Sleep
- You Used to Touch Me
- Broken
- The Beginning
- One Over R Squared Part 1
- I Found Death at the University
- One Over R Squared Part 2
- The Animation
- Father
- No One Loves No One
- It’s Just a Dream
- Build Me Someone to Love
- Playing With Fire
- The Death of the Brides
- Don’t Go (I’m Not Ready Yet)
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