N’Sync Alum Brings ‘Frankenstein’ To Life In New Musical Concept Album

N’Sync member JC Chasez is teaming up with Golden Globe winner songwriter and composter Jimmy Harry to produce a new concept album inspired by Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein. Playing with Fire is a musical take on the story of one man’s quest to beat death and the monster he unleashes while doing so that is considered by many to be the first science fiction story.

Born when Harry presented Chasez the script of his late mother’s (Barbara Field) theatrical adaptation of Shelley’s novel, Chasez was intrigued with the play and set about helping bring Playing with Fire to life. Featuring a collection of 16 original new tracks, this reimagining constructs a conversation between Frankenstein and his creation at the grave of Frankenstein’s wife, Elizabeth, ten years after her death. Through an interplay of dialogue and shared flashbacks of key events in both their lives, the duo confronts their past actions and the devastating impact they’ve had on one another. The story is accompanied by songs that blend Electronic pop juxtaposed against classical music from the romantic era.

“When we first discussed creating a musical inspired by Frankenstein, obvious topics such as technology, A.G.I., monsters, immortality and death came up. However, when we began the process of writing the songs, we couldn’t help but lean into topics dealing with familial relationships, love, deceit, and denial. In the end, we flipped the technological beast on its side to reveal that, in spite of all its benefits and horrors it creates, it changes nothing about our basic humanity.”

Playing With Fire is set for release through Center Stage Records on October 25, 2024.