There are good and bad Beasties within us all. Originally envisioned for the stage, written by Gary Sohmers, the story certainly holds its own in book form. The cast concept recording of the first act, entitled Impulse, was released in December of 2022, and now the first installment of the book series is to be released on January 23, 2023.
This first novel is written from the perspective of the title character, Grā (pronounced: Gray), currently a stagehand and a retired singer, as he’s affected during a free concert in Central Park by an alien intervention from an otherworldly impulse which infuses within him a schizophrenic identity with special powers. The headlining band currently has a hit record, and in the midst of the show is interrupted by a corrupt politician, but the heroes rally humanity and their out-of-control Beasties to save the planet on the brink of collapse.
It’s a whirlwind of rock and roll, alien encounters, and political interference, all wrapped up in two separate love stories. One between the lead singer of the band and his muse, and the other between the alien, Impulse, and the planet earth.
The story centers around teaching humanity to control their bad “Beasties”, otherwise known as their energies and emotions. Gary Sohmers has crafted a tome which is not only entertaining, but will also leave you with a restored faith in humanity that you can sing along with.
As a writer, singer and songwriter, Sohmers spent many years in Madison WI, working in the entertainment business, in clubs and studios, writing, recording and performing. Gary has produced over 1000 concerts during his career, beginning in 1973 at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, through a 10 year history in Madison, WI, then landing in Boston producing on Lansdowne St for 9 years.
He is known in the collecting world as the producer of the NorthEast ComicCons & Collectibles Extravaganzas since 1985, and he has produced over 300 fan conventions and collector shows, along with his 13 seasons appearing as an appraiser of pop culture on the PBS TV show Antiques Roadshow with over 80 appraisal appearances.
“Impressive display of creative gymnastics, Gary Sohmers takes you on a magical trip through his mind to his musical meaning of life.”
– Bob Eckstein, NY Times bestselling author
“I am so inspired by what Gary and his team have achieved with Beasties – an original new musical with something important to say — a timely message delivered through rocking entertainment.”
– Vivek Tiwary, Tony winning Producer, Eisner winning Author
Book of Grā – Beasties: A Sci-Fi Rock Opera, will be released on January 23, 2023, and will be available as an ebook and paperback on Amazon, with the audiobook version, read by best-selling science fiction narrator, Michael Kramer, being available on Audible February 22, 2023. Two more installments, Book of Impulse, and Book of Voice will follow soon after.
Michael Kramer is an American audiobook narrator. Kramer has recorded over a hundred audiobooks for trade publishers and has participated in the Library of Congress’s Talking Books program. Kramer has received praise for his narrations, with the Library Journal stating that Kramer reads “clearly and intensely”.
