Fame

Fame

Stephen Margoshes

Jacques Levy

David De Silva and José Fernandez

'Fame' the Movie, conceived by David De Silva

Adam Spiegel

Karen Bruce

Karen Bruce

Productions
Fame Original Production

Original Production

Coconut Grove Playhouse - Opened 25 Mar 1989, closed 29 Apr 1989

Cast: Monique Cintron (Carmen Diaz), Joel Malina (Schlomo Metzenbaum), Harold Perrineau Jr. (Tyrone Jackson) Janet Metz (Serena Katz), Tener Brown (Iris Kelly)

Fame Shaftesbury 2007

Original London Production

Cambridge Theatre London - Opened 27 Jun 1995, closed 28 Sep 1996

Fame 1st London Transfer

1st London Transfer

Victoria Palace Theatre - Opened 11 Nov 1997, closed 17 Jan 1998

Fame 2nd London Transfer

2nd London Transfer

Prince of Wales - Opened 15 Oct 1998, closed 16 Jan 1999

Fame 3rd London Transfer

3rd London Transfer

Victoria Palace Theatre - Opened 3 Oct 2000, closed 2 Sep 2001

Fame 4th London Transfer

4th London Transfer

Aldwych Theatre - Opened 20 Sep 2001, closed 31 Oct 2002

Fame Original Off Broadway

Original Off Broadway Production

Little Schubert Theatre - Opened 11 Nov 2003, closed 27 Jun 2004

Fame 5th London Transfer

5th London Transfer

Shaftesbury Theatre - Opened 8 May 2007, closed 1 Sep 2007



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

As the musical opens we meet a variety of students from New York City who are all praying that their application to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts is successful. We begin to see the lives of the major characters as well as their hopes and ambitions, as the teachers enter and tell their respective classes that their own discipline is the hardest in the world. We hear about the ‘hard work’ that everyone has to put in in order to succeed.

During Mr Myers’ drama class we meet Nick Piazza who is a wannabe actor. He is serious about his future prospects and catches the eye of Serena Katz during a scene, but Nick is more interested in impressing his teacher. During dance class Joe tells the group how he finds it hard to ‘keep it down’ when he sees and attractive girl and breaks into a full routine. Tyrone is finding it hard to understand the discipline of classical ballet and is mocked by his partner Iris. He tries hard to show Miss Bell that he has the skills needed to be a dancer and expresses his frustration through a rap. Iris is instantly impressed and kisses him.

In an effort to get Nick to notice her, Serena suggests they rehearse a love scene but he continues to ignore her advances. In music class Carmen interupts Scholmo’s violin playing and suggests lyrics to go along with his music and they enjoy playing together. As the year meet together in the lunch room they dream about seeing their name in lights and living a famous lifestyle. Miss Sherman is angry at Tyrone’s attitude and threatens to throw him out of school if he cannot improve his grades. Miss Bell argues that his dancing is good enough to keep him there, and the teachers argue between themselves. Tyrone overhears them and threatens to walk out.

The second act begins with a fall festival and the students all perform together. An overweight dancer Mabel stresses about her size and body and decides to transfer to acting to stand a better chance. Serena is pleased to get the part of Juliet in their class production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ but is upset that her Romeo will be played by Joe and not Nick. There is speculation that Nick might by gay, but Serena tells people otherwise. She struggles to contain her emotions and has to think of Meryl Streep in order to feel happy. Schlomo finds out that Carmen is thinking of leaving the school to move to LA and accuses her of taking drugs.

In an English class Miss Sherman humiliates Tyrone by getting him to read aloud. He tells her she is being racist and she slaps him. Tyrone retaliates by telling the class that he will be a dancer and writes ‘I Will Read’ on the chalk board. Miss Sherman is touched and sings about the feelings she has for all of the children under her wing.

During acting rehearsals Joe is not taking his role seriously, and Nick steps in to help, ending in a stage kiss between him and Serena. Tyrone is upset with Iris for ignoring him and reads her Walt Whitman’s ‘Leaves of Grass’ to show that he does have a serious side to him. Miss Bell admits to fiddling Tyrone’s grades to help him graduate and tells him he needs to repeat the year. Carmen arrives showing signs of drug abuse and tells Schlomo about the fun she has had in LA. He makes her promise to quit drugs and sort her life out.

The class prepare to graduate and Nick finally tells Serena that he likes her, and they promise to stay together after school ends. Carmen has died from a drug overdose, and the whole class sing a song in her honour.

Songs

ACT I

  • Pray, Pray, Pay – Students
  • Hard Work – Company
  • I Want to Make Magic – Nick
  • Can’t Keep it Down – Joe and Students
  • Tyrone’s Rap – Tyrone
  • There She Goes! / Fame – Carmen and Students
  • Let’s Play a Love Scene – Serena
  • Bring on Tomorrow – Schlomo and Carmen
  • The Teachers’ Argument – Miss Bell and Miss Sherman
  • Hard Work (Reprise) – Students

ACT II

  • I Want to Make Magic (Reprise) – Nick and Students
  • Mabel’s Prayer – Mabel and the Girls
  • Think of Meryl Streep – Serena
  • Dancin’ on the Sidewalk – Tyrone and Students
  • These are My Children – Miss Sherman
  • The Pas de Deux (dance) – Tyrone and Iris
  • In L.A. – Carmen
  • Let’s Play a Love Scene (Reprise) – Nick and Serena
  • Bring on Tomorrow (Reprise) – Company.
Awards
  • Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical
  • Laurence Olivier Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical (John Jacob as “Schlomo”)
  • Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Choreographer (Lars Bethke)
Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

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