Category Archives: A

Musicals starting with letter A

Aladdin the Musical

Aladdin the Musical is the award-winning musical that continues to wow audiences on Broadway and the West End, with its memorable music, spectacular sets and glittering performances. Based on the 1992 Disney animated film of the same name, Aladdin the Musical is the well-known story of a street urchin who is persuaded to find a magic lamp, which contains an even more magic Genie! Including famous songs such as “Friend Like Me”, as well as the Academy Award-winning “A Whole New World”, composed by Disney mastermind Alan Menken, Aladdin the Musical is a smash-hit success. James Monroe Iglehart and Trevor Dion Nicholas, who play Genie in the US and UK respectively, have been earning praise from audiences and critics alike.

Aladdin_Playbill

Alan Menken

Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin

Chad Beguelin

101 Arabian Nights and Disney's 1992 animated film

John Musker, Ron Clements, Roger Allers, Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio

Disney Theatrical Productions

Casey Nicholaw

Casey Nicholaw

Productions
Aladdin_Broadway

Original Broadway Production

New Amsterdam Theatre - Opened 20 Mar 2014, closed 12 Mar 2017

Cast: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Brandon O’Neill (Kassim), Brian Gonzales (Babkak), Jonathan Schwartz (Omar), Clifton Davis (Sultan), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago) Replacements: Steel Burkhardt (Kassim), Brad Weinstock (Omar)

Aladdin_London

Original London Production

Prince Edward Theatre - Opened 9 Jun 2016, closed 11 Feb 2017

Cast: Dean John-Wilson (Aladdin), Don Gallagher (Jafar), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie), Jade Ewen (Jasmine), Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Kassim), Nathan Amzi (Babkak), Rachid Sabitri (Omar), Irvine Iqbal (Sultan), Peter Howe (Iago)



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Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Disney’s timeless story of a street urchin who finds and befriends a magic Genie and has his life completely transformed!

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


Based on the tales of 101 Arabian Nights, Aladdin the Musical is the spectacular Broadway musical adapted from the smash-hit award-winning 1992 Disney classic of the same name. Following street urchin Aladdin, who is used to stealing from the market place, he only wishes that he could make his mother proud by doing something more worthwhile. With help from his friends; Kassim, Omar and Babkak, Aladdin attempts to earn some money by dancing in the streets, where he bumps into a disguised Princess Jasmine.

Jasmine is confined within the palace walls day after day, and longs to be free to explore her city. With her father, the Sultan, attempting to organise an arranged marriage between her and a rich Prince, she just wants to run away. Disguising herself, she escapes to the market place, where she runs into Aladdin. The pair immediately fall under each other’s spell, but when some angry guards appear, they are forced to flee to Aladdin’s humble home. Together, they dream of a better life where they are free to do as they wish.

Meanwhile, evil Jafar and his sidekick Iago are plotting ways to overthrow the Sultan, and they come across the story of a magic lamp locked away in the Cave of Wonders. Inside this lamp is rumoured to be a magical Genie who can grant any wish, but the only person that can enter the legendary cave is an alleged Diamond in the Rough. Iago asks the spirits to show him the mysterious Diamond, and Aladdin is revealed.

Jafar and Iago go to the market place and quickly persuade Aladdin to help them, by telling him that it will finally be a way to make his mother proud, and they will make him rich for his efforts. Aladdin goes into the Cave of Wonders and discovers the magic lamp. Although he has been told not to touch anything else in the cave, his curiosity gets the better of him and he picks up some golden treasures. When the cave entrance slams shut, Aladdin has nothing to do and ends up rubbing the magic lamp. Soon, Genie appears and says he will grant Aladdin any three wishes his heart desires.

Aladdin first wishes to be free from the cave, followed by a wish to become a Prince to win the heart of Princess Jasmine. Disguised as Prince Ali, Aladdin enters the palace and impresses the Sultan, much to the annoyance of Jafar. Unfortunately, Aladdin comes across as far too cocky in his new guise, and Jasmine is less than impressed. Attempting to woo her, Aladdin takes her on a magic carpet ride, revealing his true identity.

Unfortunately, Jafar soon realises Prince Ali’s true identity, and stealing the lamp, has Aladdin and his friends locked up in the palace dungeon. But they all work together to overthrow the nasty Jafar, and the Sultan agrees that Aladdin can marry Jasmine as thanks for saving the city. As his third and final wish, Aladdin wishes that Genie can be free of living in the lamp!

Songs

Act I

  • “Overture” – Orchestra
  • “Arabian Nights” – Genie and Company
  • “One Jump Ahead” – Aladdin and Company
  • “One Jump Ahead (Reprise)” – Aladdin
  • “Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin
  • “These Palace Walls” – Jasmine and Female Attendants
  • “Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim” – Aladdin, Kassim, Omar, Babkak, Jasmine and Company
  • “A Million Miles Away” – Aladdin and Jasmine
  • “Diamond in the Rough” – Jafar, Iago and Aladdin
  • “Friend Like Me” – Genie and Company
  • “Act One Finale” – Genie and Aladdin

Act II

  • “Prince Ali” – Genie, Kassim, Omar, Babkak and Company
  • “A Whole New World” – Aladdin and Jasmine
  • “High Adventure” – Kassim, Omar, Babkak and Company
  • “Somebody’s Got Your Back” – Genie, Aladdin, Kassim, Omar and Babkak
  • “Proud of Your Boy (Reprise)” – Aladdin
  • “Prince Ali (Sultan Reprise)” – Sultan and Company
  • “Prince Ali (Jafar Reprise)” – Jafar
  • “Finale Ultimo” – Company
Awards

2014 Tony Awards: Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (James Monroe Iglehart)

2014 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (James Monroe Iglehart)

An American in Paris

An American in Paris is an all-new dance musical, based on the 1951 Academy Award winning film of the same name, starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Originally premiering in Paris, the production officially opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway and is set to transfer to the West End for a run at the expansive Dominion Theatre. Following a soldier who remains in Paris after the victorious Second World War, An American Paris is a beautiful love story of an artist and dancer uniting in a post-war France. Featuring several well-known songs from hit musical duo George and Ira Gershwin, this Tony Award-winning musical includes “I Got Rhythm” and “An American in Paris” in its sumptuous score.

An-American-in-Paris_Playbill

George Gershwin

Ira Gershwin

Craig Lucas

Vincente Minnelli's 1951 Academy Award-winning film

Alan Jay Lerner

Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan, Roy Furman, Stephanie McClelland, Darren Bagert, James Nederlander, Five Cent Productions

Christopher Wheeldon

Christopher Wheeldon

Productions
an-american-in-paris-official-broadway-poster

Original Broadway Production

Palace Theatre - Opened 12 Apr 2015, closed 9 Oct 2016

Cast: Robert Fairchild (Jerry Mulligan), Leanne Cope (Lise Dassin), Veanne Cox (Madame Baurel), Jill Paice (Milo Davenport), Brandon Uranowitz (Adam Hochberg), Max Von Essen (Henri Baurel) Replacements: Dimitri Kleioris (Jerry Mulligan)

An-American-in-Paris_Broadway

US Tour (2016)

US Tour - Opened 14 Oct 2016, closed 20 Aug 2017

Cast: Garen Scribner (Jerry Mulligan), Sara Etsy (Lise Dassin), Etai Benson (Adam Hochberg), Emily Ferranti (Milo Davenport), Gayton Scott (Madame Baurel), Nick Spangler (Henri Baurel)

An-American-in-Paris_London

Original London Production

Dominion Theatre - Opened 21 Mar 2017, closed 30 Sep 2017

Cast: Robert Fairchild (Jerry Mulligan), Leanne Cope (Lise Dassin)



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Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

A magical story of a soldier and dancer united in a celebratory post-war France, filled with wonderful dance and timeless classics.

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


Set during the end of a viscous World War II, An American in Paris follows American soldier Jerry Mulligan, who decides to abandon his backpack and remain in Paris to nurture his passion for painting. Helped by friend and ex-soldier Adam Hochberg, who dreams of being a composer, as well as Henri Baurel, a son of wealthy French industrialists, Jerry begins to dream of a brighter future without fighting.

Soon, he meets a mysterious French girl, Lise Dassin, and is convinced that he made the right decision to stay in France. After completely falling for her, Jerry discovers that she is the very same girl that Adam and he have been encouraging a smitten Henri to propose to. Stuck in a dilemma, Jerry makes friends with a headstrong American philanthropist, Milo Davenport, who plunges him deep into the Paris art scene that is exploding with new life and a celebratory post-war energy.

Meanwhile, Lise struggles to choose between a comfortable life with Henri and her true love, Jerry. As each man involved begins to come to terms with his own fate, it is revealed that Lise’s obligation to Henri comes from that fact that he and his family saved her life during the occupation. When it is realised that this bond is no longer strong enough, Lise and Henri agree that it is time to let go.

As the curtain falls on the miraculous opening night of a French ballet, Lise finally claims her place as a free, accomplished and successful artist in France, and quickly realises that she is meant to be with Jerry. Rushing to him, the pair reunite at the River Seine and walk off, arm in arm, into the Paris night.

Songs

Act I

  • “Concerto in F” – Company
  • “I Got Rhythm” – Jerry, Henri, Adam and Company
  • “Second Prelude” – Lise and Girls
  • “I’ve Got Beginners Luck” – Jerry
  • “The Man I Love” – Lise
  • “Liza” – Jerry
  • “S Wonderful” – Jerry, Henri, Adam and Company
  • “Shall We Dance?” – Milo
  • “Second Rhapsody” – Company
  • “Cuban Overture” – Company

Act II

  • “Entr’acte” – Orchestra
  • “Fidgety Feet” – Jerry and Company
  • “Who Cares?” – Milo, Henry and Adam
  • “For You, For Me, For Evermore” – Lise, Jerry, Henri and Milo
  • “But Not for Me” – Adam and Milo
  • “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” – Henri, Adam and Company
  • “An American in Paris” – Company
  • “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” – Jerry, Henri and Adam
Awards

2015 Tony Awards: Best Choreography (Christopher Wheeldon), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Natasha Katz), Best Orchestrations (Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliot), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Bob Crowley, 59 Productions)

2015 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Robert Fairchild), Outstanding Choreography (Christopher Wheeldon), Outstanding Orchestrations (Christopher Austin), Outstanding Set Design (Bob Crowley)

2015 Drama League Awards: Outstanding Production of a Musical

2015 Outer Critic’s Circle Awards: Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Robert Fairchild), Outstanding Choreography (Christopher Wheeldon), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Christopher Wheeldon)

2015 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards: Best Female Dancer (Leanne Cope), Best Male Dancer (Robert Fairchild), Best Choreographer (Christopher Wheeldon)

Licensing

USA: Samuel French

Annie Get Your Gun

Annie Get Your Gun features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin with a book by siblings Dorothy and Herbert Fields. Based on the real life of Annie Oakley, a famous sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, Annie Get Your Gun combines true and fictional events in this renowned musical. Following her tumultuous romance with fellow performer Frank Bulter and the events leading up to her joining Buffalo Bill’s show, this musical has enjoyed numerous revivals around the world. Songs from the score are instantly recognisable, with hits such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business”, “Anything You Can Do” and “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun” making up the majority of musical theatre repertoire. Stars such as Ethel MermanBernadette Peters and Ruthie Henshall have starred productions as the title role.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun_Playbill

Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin

Dorothy and Herbert Fields (revisions by Peter Stone)

The real life of Annie Oakley (1860-1926)

Dorothy Fields, Herbert Fields and Sidney Sheldon

Rodgers & Hammerstein

Various productions: Joshua Logan, Gower Champion, David Gilmore, Richard Jones, Lonny Price

Various productions: Helen Tamiris, Jeff Calhoun, Danny Daniels

Productions
Annie_Merman

Original Broadway Production

Imperial Theatre - Opened 16 May 1946, closed 12 Feb 1949, 1147 performances

Cast: Ethel Merman (Annie Oakley), Ray Middleton (Frank Butler), Lea Penman (Dolly Tate), Art Bernett (Foster Wilson), Harry Bellaver (Chief Sitting Bull), Kenneth Bowers (Tommy Keeler), Marty May (Charlie Davenport), William O’Neal (Buffalo Bill), Betty Anne Nyman (Winnie Tate)

Annie Get Your Gun - Original London

Original London Production

London Coliseum - Opened 7 Jun 1947, closed 7 Jun 1950, 1304 performances

Cast: Dolores Gray (Annie Oakley), Bill Johnson (Frank Butler), Barbara Babington (Dolly Tate), John Garside (Chief Sitting Bull), Irving Davies (Tommy Keeler), Hal Bryan (Charlie Davenport), Ellis Irving (Buffalo Bill), Wendy Toye (Winnie Tate)

annie-1966

Broadway Revival (1966)

Lincoln Center, Broadway Theatre - Opened 31 May 1966, closed 9 Jul 1966

Cast: Ethel Merman (Annie Oakley), Bruce Yarnell (Frank Butler), Benay Venuta (Dolly Tate), Ronn Carroll (Foster Wilson), Jerry Orbach (Charlie Davenport), Rufus Smith (Buffalo Bill)

annie-1986

London Revival (1986)

Aldywch Theatre - Opened 29 Jul 1986, closed 4 Oct 1986

Cast: Suzi Quatro (Annie Oakley), Eric Flynn (Frank Butler), Maureen Scott (Dolly Tate), Berwick Kaler (Chief Sitting Bull, Foster Wilson), Matt Zimmerman (Charlie Davenport), Edmund Hockridge (Buffalo Bill)

Annie Get Your Gun - 2nd London Revival

London Revival (1992)

Prince of Wales Theatre - Opened 25 Nov 1992, closed 12 Dec 1992

Cast: Kim Criswell (Annie Oakley), John Diedrich (Frank Butler), Norman Rossington, Brian Glover, Meg Johnson, Leon Greene

annie-1999

Broadway Revival (1999)

Marquis Theatre - Opened 4 Mar 1999, closed 1 Sep 2001, 1045 performances

Cast: Bernadette Peters (Annie Oakley), Tom Wopat (Frank Butler), Valerie Wright (Dolly Tate), Gregory Zaragoza (Chief Sitting Bull), Ronn Carroll (Foster Wilson), Peter Marx (Charlie Davenport), Ron Holgate (Buffalo Bill), Andrew Palmero (Tommy Keeler), Nicole Ruth Snelson (Winnie Tate) Replacements: Susan Lucci, Cheryl Ladd, Reba McEntire, Crystal Bernard (Annie), Patrick Cassidy, Brent Barrett (Frank)

Annie Get Your Gun Young Vic 2009

London Revival (2009)

Young Vic Theatre - Opened 16 Oct 2009, closed 9 Jan 2010

Cast: Jane Horrocks (Annie Oakley), Julian Ovenden (Frank Butler), Florence Andrews, Niall Ashdown, Buffy Davis, Alice Fearn, Paul Iveson, Eric MacLennan, John Marquez, Tanya Michael-Davis, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, Amy Papa, Davina Perera, David Ricardo-Pearce, Jessica Richardson, Liza Sadovy, Michael Taibi, Matt Turner, Chucky Venn, Adam Venus



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Famous sharpshooter Annie Oakley falls for showbiz man Frank Butler, and the pair embark on a journey that causes them to fall deeply in love.

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


Colonel Buffalo Bill brings his famous Wild West show to Cincinnati, wherein the leading man Frank Butler challenges anyone in town to a duel. Foster Wilson, the owner of the hotel where the performers are staying is not pleased with their antics and bets Frank he can find someone who can out shoot him. Sharpshooter Annie Oakley arrives in town and, impressed by her shooting, Foster persuades her to face Frank in the shoot-off.

Annie runs into Frank, not knowing he will be her opponent, and immediately falls for him. She asks if he feels the same way, but he declares he wants a woman who is soft and fragile. They meet again at the shoot-off, and Frank is furious when Annie wins. Buffalo Bill manages to convince Annie to join the show permanently by explaining “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and she agrees.

On the road, Frank begins to fall in love with Annie. The show stops in Saint Paul, Minnesota while the rival company Pawnee Bill’s Far East Show is stopped in nearby Minneapolis. Buffalo Bill asks Annie to perform a special trick to draw people to their show, and she agrees, as it will surprise Frank. Meanwhile, Frank plans to propose to Annie after that night’s show. Annie’s trick goes down a storm, and green with envy, Frank decides to join the rival Pawnee Bill’s show instead and leaves Annie behind.

Buffalo Bill takes the show across Europe with Annie as the star, but both his company and Pawnee Bill’s shows go bankrupt. The two impresarios agree to meet to discuss a merger, with each thinking the other has money to pay for both companies. Annie still misses Frank. When it is revealed that neither company has any money, Annie decides to sell her many shooting medals which have a combined worth of one hundred thousand dollars, declaring she only needs the simple things in life.

Frank and Annie reunite and immediately fall back in love. They decide to finally get married, but they both want very different things for the wedding. When Annie shows Frank her medals, he becomes furiously jealous once again. They agree to a final duel to settle the score. Annie and Frank both deliberately miss their shots so the shoot-off ends in a tie, and they run off to be married as both shows carry on together.

Songs

Act I

  • “Overture” – Orchestra
  • “Colonel Buffalo Bill” – Charlie Daveport, Dolly Tate and Company
  • “I’m A Bad, Bad Man” – Frank Butler
  • “Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly” – Annie Oakley and Siblings
  • “The Girl That I Marry” – Frank and Annie
  • “You Can’t Get A Man With A Gun” – Annie
  • “There’s No Business Like Show Business” – Frank, Buffalo Bill, Charlie, Dolly, Annie and Company
  • “They Say It’s Wonderful” – Annie and Frank
  • “Moonshine Lullaby” – Annie and Siblings
  • “I’ll Share It All With You” – Winnie Tate and Tommy Keeler
  • “Ballyhoo” – Company
  • “There’s No Business Like Show Business (Reprise)” – Annie
  • “My Defenses Are Down” – Frank and Company
  • “Wild Horse Ceremonial Dance” – Company
  • “I’m an Indian, Too” – Annie and Company
  • “Adoption Dance” – Company

Act II

  • “Entr’acte” – Orchestra
  • “I Got Lost In His Arms” – Annie
  • “Who Do You Love, I Hope?” – Winnie and Tommy
  • “I Got The Sun In The Morning” – Annie and Company
  • “They Say It’s Wonderful (Reprise)” – Annie and Frank
  • “The Girl That I Marry (Reprise)” – Frank
  • “Anything You Can Do” – Annie and Frank
  • “There’s No Business Like Show Business (Reprise)” – Company

Please note: Revised editions of the musical may not contain some songs mentioned above and may contain new songs.

Awards

1999 Tony Awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Bernadette Peters)

1999 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Bernadette Peters)

1999 Grammy Awards: Best Musical Show Album

2001 Drama Desk Awards: Special Award (Reba McEntire)

Licensing

UK: R & H Theatricals

USA: R & H Theatricals

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was the first musical by Stephen Sondheim for which he composed the music as well as wrote the lyrics. Originally receiving a lukewarm response, the show enlisted the help of Jerome Robbins and Hal Prince to become a hit. Despite transferring between three Broadway venues in 1962-63, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ran for almost 1000 successful performances. As Sondheim’s first musical, the production is a very traditional book musical, unlike his later, more complicated operettas. Enjoying numerous major revivals across the US and London’s West End, the role of Pseudolus is unusually acclaimed, with every actor on Broadway winning a Tony for portraying the role.

A-Funny-Thing-Happened-on-the-Way-to-the-Forum_Playbill

Stephen Sondhiem

Stephen Sondhiem

Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart

Inspired by the farces from Ancient Roman playwright Plautus (251-183 BC)

Melvin Frank and Michael Pertwee

Hal Prince

Various Productions: George Abbott, Burt Shevelove

Jack Cole

Productions
A Funny Thing Happened Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Alvin Theatre, Mark Hellinger Theatre, Majestic Theatre - Opened 8 May 1962, closed 29 Aug 1964, 964 performances

Cast: Zero Mostel (Pseudolus), David Burns (Senex), John Carradine (Marcus Lycus), Brian Davies (Hero), Jack Gilford (Hysterium), Ron Holgate (Miles Gloriosus), Ruth Kobart (Domina), Preshy Marker (Philia), Raymond Walburn (Erronius)

A Funny Thing Happened Original London

Original London Production

Strand Theatre - Opened 3 Oct 1963, closed 31 Jul 1965, 762 performances

Cast: Frankie Howard (Pseudolus), Eddie Gray (Senex), Jon Pertwee (Marcus Lycus), John Rye (Hero), Kenneth Connor (Hysterium), Leon Greene (Miles Gloriosus), Linda Gray (Domina), Isla Blair (Philia), Robertson Hare (Erronius)

A Funny Thing Happened 1st Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival (1972)

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre - Opened 4 Apr 1972, closed 12 Aug 1972, 156 performances

Cast: Phil Silvers (Pseudolus), Lew Parker (Senex), Carl Ballantine (Marcus Lycus), John Hansen (Hero), Larry Blyden (Hysterium), Carl Lindstrom (Miles Gloriosus), Lizabeth Pritchett (Domina), Pamela Hall (Philia), Reginald Owen (Erronius) Replacements: John Bentley, Tom Poston (Pseudolus), Mort Marshall (Senex)

A Funny Thing Happened 1st London Revival

London Revival (1986)

Piccadilly Theatre - Opened 14 Nov 1986, closed 2 Jan 1987, 49 performances

Cast: Frankie Howard (Pseudolus), Patrick Cargill (Senex), Fred Evans (Marcus Lycus), Graeme Smith (Hero), Ronnie Stevens (Hysterium), Leon Greene (Miles Gloriosus), Betty Benfield (Domina), Lydia Watson (Philia), Derek Royle (Erronius)

A Funny Thing Happened 2nd Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival (1996)

St. James Theatre - Opened 18 Apr 1996, closed 4 Jan 1998, 715 performances

Cast: Nathan Lane (Pseudolus), Lewis J. Stradlen (Senex), Ernie Sabella (Marcus Lycus), Jim Stanek (Hero), Mark Linn-Baker (Hysterium), Cris Groenendaal (Miles Gloriosus), May Testa (Domina), Jessica Boevers (Philia), William Duell (Erronius) Replacements: Whoopi Goldberg, David Alan Grier (Pseudolus)

afunnythinghappened

London Revival (1999)

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre - Opened 23 Jul 1999, closed 31 Aug 1999

Cast: Roy Hudd (Pseudolus), Michael Tudor Barnes (Senex), Peter Forbes (Marcus Lycus), Rhashan Stone (Hero), Gavin Muir (Hysterium), Peter Gallagher (Miles Gloriosus), Susie Blake (Domina), Claire Carrie (Philia), Ken Wynne (Erronius)

A Funny Thing Happened 2nd London

London Revival (2004)

National Theatre - Opened 9 Jul 2004, closed 2 Nov 2004, 66 performances

Cast: Desmond Barrit (Pseudolus), Sam Kelly (Senex), David Schneider (Marcus Lycus), Vince Leigh (Hero), Hamish McColl (Hysterium), Philip Quast (Miles Gloriosus), Isla Blair (Domina), Caroline Sheen (Philia), Harry Towb (Erronius)



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

A hugely ridiculous Farce that follows slave Pseudolus as he attempts to match his owner Hero with his love Philia! Chaos ensues!

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is set in Ancient Rome and follows a group of unlikely neighbours. At the centre is Senex, who resides with his wife Domina, son Hero and their slaves, including Pseudolus. Next door is the house of Marcus Lycus, who spends his time buying and selling women, with Erronius neighbouring on the other side, who is abroad searching for his stolen children. Pseudolus is the slave of Hero and wants above anything to be free.

As Senex and Domina go travelling, Pseudolus is told by Hero that he is in love with Philia, and Pseudolus agrees to help him if in return he can be free. Sadly for Hero, Philia is betrothed to Gloriosus, and despite wanting to marry Hero, cannot go against her father’s wishes. Pseudolus constructs a plan to convince her father that Phillia is sick in order to stop her meeting Gloriosus. He promises to give her a sleeping potion to pretend she has died from plague, allowing her and Hero time to escape to Greece. He tells her that the captain will knock three times before entering her room and goes off to find the ingredients for the potion.

Senex arrives early from his voyage and knocks three times on his door, leading Philia to believe he is Gloriosus and she offers herself to him. Pseudolus returns and convinces him that Philia is the new maid, and sprinkles mare’s sweat onto him prompting him to take a bath. He leads him to the unoccupied house of Erronius. Erronius returns home having called off his search, and Hysterium is left to convince him that his house is now haunted and cannot be accessed. Pseudolus acts as a soothsayer and tells him that the only way to exorcise the spirit is by running around the seven hills of Rome.

Meanwhile Gloriosus arrives to claim his wife and Pseudolus hides Philia on the roof of Senex’s house. He tells Gloriosus that Philia has vanished and as the soldiers follow them onto the streets to ‘look’ for her, they manage to get ahead.

Domina also returns home early, intent on catching Senex up to no good. She disguises herself in white robes and a veil, ending up looking remarkably like Philia. Pseudolus convinces Hysterium to dress in drag and pretend to be Philia to divert attention, resulting in a mad chase across the city as Gloriosus returns, determined to find his bride. The courtesans from the house of Lycus also escape, followed by the eunuchs, adding to the never-ending disaster.

As the Captain and his troops round everyone up, Erronius jogs past, completing his cycle of Rome. He discovers that both Gloriosus and Philia are wearing a ring that marks them out as his long lost son and daughter, making their betrothal obviously void. Philia is then free to marry Hero, and it is a happy ending for all as Pseudolus is set free.

Songs

Act I

  • “Comedy Tonight” — Pseudolus and Company
  • “Love, I Hear” — Hero
  • “Free” — Pseudolus and Hero
  • “The House of Marcus Lycus” — Lycus and Pseudolus
  • “Lovely” — Philia and Hero
  • “Pretty Little Picture” — Pseudolus, Hero and Philia
  • “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” — Senex, Pseudolus, Hysterium and Lycus
  • “I’m Calm” — Hysterium
  • “Impossible” — Senex and Hero
  • “Bring Me My Bride” — Miles Gloriosus and Company

Act II

  • “That Dirty Old Man” — Domina
  • “That’ll Show Him” — Philia
  • “Lovely (Reprise)” — Pseudolus and Hysterium
  • “Funeral Sequence” — Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus and Company
  • “Finale” — Company
Awards

1963 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Author of a Musical (Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart), Best Actor in a Musical (Zero Mostel), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (David Burns), Best Direction of a Musical (George Abbott), Best Producer of a Musical (Hal Prince)

1972 Tony Awards: Best Actor in a Musical (Phil Silvers), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Larry Blyden), Best Direction of a Musical (Burt Shevelove)

1996 Tony Awards: Best Actor in a Musical (Nathan Lane)

1996 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Nathan Lane), Outstanding Musical Revival

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

Aida

Aida is based on Verdi’s opera of the same name. Now entitled Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, the production marked the third Broadway outing for Walt Disney Theatricals after smash-hit successes Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. As well as a score by Elton John and Tim Rice, Aida features a book by Linda Woolverton, who has worked on previous Disney successes. Opening on Broadway in 2000, the musical ran for almost 2000 productions, receiving a mixed response from audiences and critics. Although considered to be a huge financial success, the show never transferred to London. Heather Headley became a star thanks to Aida, winning a Tony Award for her portrayal of the title role.

Aida_Playbill

Elton John

Tim Rice

Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang

Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name

Walt Disney Theatrical

Robert Falls

Wayne Cilento

Productions
Aida Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Palace Theatre - Opened 23 Mar 2000, closed 5 Sep 2004, 1852 performances

Cast: Heather Headley (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Sherie Rene Scott (Amneris), Tyrees Allen (Amonasro), John Hickok (Zoser), Daniel Oreskes (Pharaoh), Damian Perkins (Mereb), Schele Williams (Nehebka) Replacements included: Deborah Cox, Toni Braxton, Michelle Williams, Maya Days, Saycon Sengbloh, Merle Dandridge (Aida), Will Chase, Patrick Cassidy, Richard H. Blake, William Robert Gaynor, Matt Bogart (Radames), Idina Menzel, Jessica Hendy, Mandy Gonzalez, Felicia Finley, Taylor Dayne, Lisa Brescia (Amneris)

aida tour

US Tour (2001)

US Tour - Opened 6 Apr 2001, closed 17 Aug 2003

Cast: Simone (Aida), Patrick Cassidy (Radames), Kelli Fournier (Amneris) Replacements: Jeremy Kushnier (Radames), Lisa Brescia (Amneris)



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Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

A Nubian slave is captured by an Egyptian Captain who falls in love with her and gives her as a gift to a Princess, creating a love triangle.

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Aida opens in a modern day museum amongst the Egyptian artefacts. A statue of Amneris, a female Pharaoh comes to life, taking the story to Ancient Egypt, where the Egyptian army have returned from a successful expedition through Nubia. Led by Radames, the army makes its way back to the palace, but Radames is captivated by one of the Nubian women Aida, and asks her to wash his back. She refuses, saying that whilst Egypt steal everything from Nubia, they won’t take her pride. Radames sends her to be a handmaiden to his betrothed Princess Amneris. Radames’s father prepares him to take over as Pharaoh, not telling his son that he is accelerating his death by slowly poisoning him.

Whilst handing over Aida to Amneris, she is recognised by Radames’s Nubian servant as a Nubian princess. She silences him, telling him that her identity must remain secret or she will die. Amneris takes to Aida straight away and shares her love of fashion with her, befriending her. The Pharaoh tells Amneris and Radames that they are to be married in seven days and Radames is upset that his youthful life is coming to an end and shares his dreams with Aida.

Amneris confides in Aida about her father’s ill health, Radames steals a moment with Aida and tells her that he has developed feelings for her. Aida is then led to a Nubian camp where her people ask her to lead them to victory. Aida goes to Radames and asks him to help her people, and he gives some of his possessions to them and sings about his love for Aida. Aida and Radames embrace, unable to restrain their feelings any longer. They are interrupted by the news that Aida’s father, the king of Nubia, has been captured. Aida has faith that her people and Nubia won’t die.

As Act II opens Aida, Radames and Amneris are locked in a conflicting set of loyalties and actions. Aida manages to get to see her father and they plan to free him during the wedding ceremony of Radames and Amneris. Aida realises that the only way she can save her father and Nubia is to betray her father. Radames’s father finds out about his affair with Aida and order his men to kill her, warning his son about losing the throne. Radames writes to Aida apologising for his behaviour, but Aida is ready to leave him forever. Radames tells Aida that he is going to leave Amneris, but Aida knows this wont help her father and encourages him to go through with the marriage. Radames promises to help Aida escape but Amneris has overheard the whole conversation.

Aida’s father escapes, but the plan is foiled and Radames intervenes by letting his boat set sail. Aida and Radames are arrested for treason, and Amneris uses her powers as future Pharaoh to get them both buried in the same tomb so they can be together. As they are buried together, they swear to each other that they will find one another in a future life. Nubia and Egypt are no longer at war, as the couple die underground.

Songs

Act I

  • “Every Story Is a Love Story” – Amneris
  • “Fortune Favors the Brave” – Radames and the Soldiers
  • “The Past Is Another Land” – Aida
  • “Another Pyramid” – Zoser and the Ministers
  • “How I Know You” – Mereb and Aida
  • “My Strongest Suit” – Amneris and Women of the Palace
  • “Enchantment Passing Through” – Radames and Aida
  • “My Strongest Suit (Reprise)” – Amneris and Aida
  • “The Dance of the Robe” – Aida, Nehebka and the Nubians
  • “Not Me” – Radames, Mereb, Aida and Amneris
  • “Elaborate Lives” – Radames and Aida
  • “The Gods Love Nubia” – Aida, Nehebka, Mereb and the Nubians

Act II

  • “A Step Too Far” – Amneris, Radames and Aida
  • “Easy As Life” – Aida
  • “Like Father Like Son” – Zozer, Radames and the Ministers
  • “Radames’ Letter” – Radames
  • “How I Know You (Reprise)” – Mereb
  • “Written in the Stars” – Aida and Radames
  • “I Know the Truth” – Amneris
  • “Elaborate Lives (Reprise)” – Aida and Radames
  • “Every Story Is a Love Story (Reprise)” – Amneris
Awards

2000 Tony Awards: Best Original Score (Elton John and Tim Rice), Best Actress in a Musical (Heather Headley), Best Scenic Design (Bob Crowley), Best Lighting Design (Natasha Katz)

2000 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Heather Headley)

2000 Grammy Awards: Best Musical Show Album (Elton John and Tim Rice)

2000 Clarence Derwent Awards: Most Promising Female (Sherie Rene Scott)

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

 

The Addams Family

Based on the Charles Addams characters featured in cartoons and films, The Addams Family is a Broadway musical with score by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. America’s favourite ghoulish family come to life in a spectacular production that ran at the Lunt Fontaine Theatre in 2010 for over a year. The macabre family were brought to life by Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia, and received popular praise from fans of the characters and movies. The show featured an eclectic score inspired by Broadway composers such as Stephen Sondheim and included large ensemble numbers such as ‘When You’re an Addams’ as well as more intimate songs such as ‘Happy/Sad’. The show has enjoyed a successful US tour and is preparing to mount a production in Australia in 2013.

The-Addams-Family_Playbill

Andrew Lippa

Andrew Lippa

Patricia Resnick

The comic strip ‘The Addams Family’

Stuart Oken, Roy Furman, Michael Leavitt, Five Cent Productions, Stephen Schuler, Decca Theatricals, Scott M. Delman, Stuart Dit

Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch

Sergio Trujillo

Productions
The Adams Family Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre - Opened 8 Apr 2010, closed 31 Dec 2011, 722 performances

Cast: Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth, Kevin Chamberlain, Terrance Mann



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

The macabre family have their lifestyle threatened as Wednesday falls in love with a ‘normal’ boy and his family are invited for dinner

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The macabre Addams family join together in a visit to the graveyard for the annual gathering of ‘living, dead and undecided’ family members. They celebrate exactly what it means to ‘be an Addams’. Uncle Fester asks the gathered family to help him in his mission as Wednesday Addams has invited her new ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents round for dinner. Wednesday tells how she feels ‘pulled’ in a new direction by boyfriend Lucas Beineke and worries about her family’s reaction whilst torturing her brother Pugsley. Her parents Morticia and Gomez worry about their daughter and question “Where Did We Go Wrong?”

As Lucas’s mother and father Mal and Alice arrive, Wednesday tells her family to act as normally as possible so they can have a good time. As they are greeted by Lurch at the door it seems clear that this is going to be a far from normal night. The Addams family fail to act ‘normal’ and Wednesday enters wearing a bright yellow dress. She and Lucas reveal that they want to get married and tell their parents that evening. Gomez introduces Mal to the family and the giant pet squid Bernice. Mal wants to rip down the whole house. Alice tells Morticia that all the passion has gone out of her marriage, but Morticia refuses to dance with Gomez after Wednesday describes her as being old. Pugsley is worried that Wednesday will not want to torture him anymore and steals a potion from his Grandma to bring out someone’s dark nature. He plans to use it on Wednesday over dinner.

Alice accidentally takes the potion intended for Wednesday and admits to everyone during a game of truth that her marriage to Mal is loveless and that she is miserable. Mal tries to leave, but Wednesday and Lucas drop their wedding bombshell which turns the party into disarray. Uncle Fester gets the family ancestors to create a sudden storm which traps everyone in the house.

Wednesday and Lucas have their first fight whilst Morticia is worried that she is superfluous to her family’s needs, reminding herself that death is “Just Around the Corner”. Pugsley is scared to confess what he did to Alice and Uncle Fester confesses his love to the moon. Gomez laments about how he is happy that his daughter is in love, yet sad she is leaving him. This makes Wednesday worry that her and Lucas are too different to ever be together. They argue over who is crazier.

Gomez and Fester try to get Mal to express himself but refuses to. He goes for a swim with Bernice the squid which reminds him that he does indeed love Alice. Gomez reaffirms his love for Morticia and they begin to tango.

Everyone is reunited and Pugsley finally admits to giving Alice the potion. Fester announces that he is flying off to see his love, the moon. They come together as one larger family.

Songs

Act I 

  • “The Addams Family Theme”
  • “Overture”
  • “When You’re an Addams” – The Addams Family and Ancestors
  • “Pulled” – Wednesday
  • “Where Did We Go Wrong” – Morticia and Gomez
  • “One Normal Night” – Company
  • “Morticia” – Gomez and Male Ancestors
  • “What If?” – Pugsley
  • “Full Disclosure” – Company
  • “Waiting” – Alice
  • “Full Disclosure (Part 2)” – Company
Act II 
  • “Entr’acte”
  • “Just Around the Corner” – Morticia and Ancestors
  • “The Moon and Me” – Uncle Fester and Female Ancestors
  • “Happy/Sad” – Gomez
  • “Crazier Than You” – Lucas and Wednesday
  • “Let’s Not Talk About Anything Else But Love” – Mal, Gomez, Fester
  • “Let’s Not Talk About Anything Else But Love” (Reprise) – Grandma, Gomez, Fester
  • “In the Arms” – Mal and Alice
  • “Live Before We Die” – Gomez and Morticia
  • “Tango de Amor” – Gomez, Morticia and Ancestors
  • “Move Toward the Darkness” – Company
Awards

2010 Tony Awards: Nominated for: Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor

Licensing

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

Assassins

Assassins features a score by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman. The show is a one act musical that brings together men and women who have assassinated and attempted to assassinate American Presidents since John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln. The show is made up of a series of vignettes which bring these characters together across different time frames. The original Off Broadway production was moderately successful, but the 2004 revival (which was postponed initially after the 9/11 terrorist attacks) helped the show become popular.

Assassins_Playbill

Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim

John Weidman

an idea by Charles S. Gilbert, Jr

Productions
Assassins Original Off Broadway

Original Off-Broadway Production

Playwrights Horizons - Opened 18 Dec 1990, closed 16 Feb 1991, 73 performances

Cast: Eddie Korbich, Terrence Mann, Lee Wilkof, Victor Garber, Debra Monk, Joy Franz, Patrick Cassidy, Annie Golden, Jonathan Hadary, William Parry, Lyn Greene, John Jellison, Marcus Olson, Jace Alexander, Greg Germann.

Assassins Original Londno

Original London Production

Donmar Warehouse - Opened 29 Oct 1992, closed 9 Jan 1993, 76 performances

Assassins Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Studio 54 - Opened 22 Apr 2004, closed 18 Jul 2004, 101 performances

Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Michael Cerveris, Terrance Mann.  

Assassins small

Assassins 2014 London Revival

The Menier Chocolate Factory - Opened 21 Nov 2014, closed 7 Mar 2015

Cast: Catherine Tate, Aaron Tveit and Jamie Parker



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

Synopsis

In an abandoned fairground, the Proprietor invites the assassins to take a gun in his shooting gallery. One by one, John Wilkes Booth, Leon Czolgosz, John Hinckley, Charles Guiteau, Giuseppe Zangara, Samuel Byck, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, and Sara Jane Moore take their guns and assert that their lives would be better if they each killed a president (“Everybody’s Got the Right”).

The Balladeer enters and sings “The Ballad of Booth,” relating John Wilkes Booth’s story after he killed Abraham Lincoln. Holed up in a barn with a broken leg, he is trying to write his manifesto, explaining his reasoning for assassinating the President. As the Union army arrives and demands his surrender, he throws his diary to the Balladeer and urges him to tell his story. Booth realises that his death is in vain before committing suicide. The Balladeer declares that Booth was insane and his terrible act inspired other lunatics to commit more violent acts.

The men drink in a bar and debate the merits of the American dream. Zangara complains of pain in his stomach, and the others assure him he will feel better if he kills Franklin Roosevelt. The Proprietor narrates a radio broadcast and reveals that Zangara’s assassination attempt has gone wrong and he has accidentally killed the mayor of Chicago instead of President Roosevelt. As he prepares to be executed by electric chair, Zangara asserts that he is glad as long as he killed one of the men who control the money, though he laments that as an “American Nothing” he is not achieved the legendary status he had hoped for.

Leon Czolgosz approaches anarchist Emma Goldman after a lecture and declares his love for her. She immediately rebuffs his advances and encourages him to turn his love into a fight for social equality. Meanwhile Squeaky Fromme and Sara Jane Moore smoke pot and eat fried chicken on a park, before deciding to follow in the footsteps of cult leader Charles Manson and kill Gerald Ford. Booth, Guiteau, Moore, and Csolgosz reflect on a gun’s ability to change the world forever (“The Gun Song”), before Csolgosz shoots and kills President McKinley.

In a dirty Santa suit, Samuel Byck records a message to Leonard Bernstein ordering him to write more love songs and chastising him for ignoring his previous messages. He decides to get attention by flying a plane into the White House in the hopes of killing Richard Nixon. John Hinckley obsesses over Jodie Foster, and Fromme at first mocks him before deciding he is in a similar situation to her unrequited love for Charles Manson (“Unworthy of Your Love”). Hinckley decides to get Foster’s attention by killing Ronald Reagan.

Charles Guiteau hits on Moore, and when she rejects him he declares he will be the ambassador to France. He seeks out President James Garfield and asks to be made ambassador, and when the President refuses, Guiteau shoots and kills him. He remains seemingly oblivious of his fate as he strolls into the noose made for his hanging.

Moore and Fromme attempt to kill Ford, while Byck sets off to kill Nixon, with both attempts failing spectacularly. The assassins assemble at the Proprietor’s once again where they slowly realise their attempts to change the world have failed. The Balladeer encourages them to find more positive ways of pursuing the American Dream, but they refuse, instead crafting “Another National Anthem.”

In 1963 Dallas, Lee Harvey Oswald is contemplating suicide while the other assassins arrive and convince him to kill John F. Kennedy with their assertions that he will become famous across the globe. Average Americans discuss the day’s events and the way the assassination has changed the country forever (“Something Just Broke”). The assassins come together for a final time, restating their right to be happy at any cost (“Everybody’s Got the Right – Reprise”).

 

Songs
  • Everybody’s Got the Right
  • The Ballad of Booth
  • How I Saved Roosevelt
  • Gun Song
  • The Ballad of Czolgosz
  • Unworthy of Your Love
  • The Ballad of Guiteau
  • Something Just Broke (Added for the London Production)
  • Another National Anthem
  • November 22, 1963
  • Finale: Everybody’s Got the Right
Awards

2004 Tony Awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Michael Cerveris), Best Lighting Design (Peggy Eisenhauer and Jules Fisher), Best Direction of a Musical (Joe Mantello) Best Orchestration (Michael Starobin)

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

Anything Goes

Anything Goes is one of America’s most popular musicals. It has frequently been re-written, although the current licensed version reflects the changes made in the 1987 Broadway revival. The show features music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and book by Guy Bolton, P.G Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The show is set in the American Jazz age aboard a cruise liner from New York to London. The musical features a famous score of songs including ‘Anything Goes’, ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’ and ‘You’re the Top’ which have since become show standards.

Anything Goes

Cole Porter

Cole Porter

Timothy Crouse & John Weidman

Lincoln Center Theatre, Gregory Mosher, Bernard Gersten

Jerry Zaks

Michael Smuin

Productions
Anything Goes Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Alvin Theatre - Opened 21 Nov 1934, closed 1 Jan 1970, 420 performances

Cast: Ethel Merman (Reno Sweeney), William Gaxton (Billy Crocker) , Victor Moore (Moonface Martin).

Anything Goes Broadway Revival

First Broadway Revival

Lincoln Center Theatre - Opened 19 Oct 1987, closed 1 Jan 1970, 784 performances

Cast: Patti LuPone (Reno Sweeney), Howard McGillin (Billy), Bill McCutcheon (Moonface), Anthony Heald (Lord Evelyn).

Anything Goes London Revival

Original London Production

Prince Edward Theatre - Opened 1 Jul 1989, closed 1 Jan 1970

Anything Goes National Theatre

London Revival

National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Opened 18 Dec 2002, closed 28 Aug 2004

Cast: Sally Ann Triplett (Reno Sweeney), John Barrowman (Billy Crocker)

Anything Goes 2nd Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Stephen Sondheim Theatre - Opened 7 Apr 2011, closed 8 Jul 2012, 521 performances

Cast: Sutton Foster (Reno Sweeney), Laura Osnes (Hope), Joel Grey (Moonface)



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

Synopsis

Passengers begin to board the Ocean Greyhound America, an ocean liner bound for London from New York. All hope celebrities will be on board, and are pleased at the arrival of Reno Sweeney, a former Evangelist who became a nightclub singer. Billy, a dashing Wall Street executive arrives to bring his boss Elisha Whitney his passport and is pleased to bump into his old friend Reno. 

Just as Billy is about to disembark the ship, he runs into Hope Harcourt, a beautiful girl he met one evening in Central Park and has been pining for ever since. Hope is equally besotted, but is on the ship with her fiancé Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, a befuddled wealthy Englishman her overbearing mother wants her to marry. Billy decides to stay on board to rekindle his romance with Hope, despite not having a ticket.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the ship, Moonface Martin, a gambling gangster, is on board. He is currently number 13 on the nation’s most wanted list and hopes to move up to the number one slot. Billy inadvertently identifies an innocent Bishop as Moonface to the FBI, and Moonface is in his debt. He gives Billy the passport and ticket of his accomplice, Snake Eyes, who was supposed to be on board but was warned against sailing.

Sir Evelyn is seasick, leaving Billy and Hope alone for the evening. When Billy returns to his cabin, he discovers that his boss, Mr. Whitney is in the next room. Moonface, now posing as a clergyman, steals Whitney’s glasses so he does not have a chance to recognize Billy. The FBI begins searching the ship for Billy, who they believe is the real Snake Eyes, so he disguises himself as a sailor. Reno sees through the disguise, but upon hearing the situation agrees to help Billy by distracting Sir Evelyn, who she finds charming. The authorities finally capture Billy, but the passengers are thrilled to have another celebrity on board, even though he is supposedly public enemy number one, and want him to remain amongst them.

While Reno and Sir Evelyn begin to fall in love, Hope is dismayed at Billy’s continued lie. The ship’s Captain asks Moonface, who he believes to be a minister, to perform a service to cleanse “Snake Eyes” of his sins. At the service, Billy finally confesses he is not Snake Eyes, Moonface reveals he is not a minister, and they are both locked in the ship’s brig. Billy is heartbroken not to be with Hope, and the situation is worsened when Hope arrives to tell Billy she is to be married to Sir Evelyn within the hour at her mother’s insistence.

Moonface and Billy manage to exchange clothes with two fellow inmates and escape just in time to stop the wedding. In the end, Hope and Billy, Reno and Sir Evelyn, and Mr. Whitney and Mrs. Harcourt all end up together while Moonface Martin is devastated to be removed from the FBI’s most wanted list.

Songs

Original Song List

  • I Get a Kick Out of You
  • Bon Voyage
  • All Through the Night
  • There’ll Always Be a Lady Fair
  • Where are the Men?
  • You’re the Top
  • Anything Goes
  • Public Enemy Number One
  • Blow, Gabriel, Blow
  • Be Like the Bluebird
  • Buddie Beware
  • The Gypsy in Me
  • Waltz Down the Aisle
  • What a Joy to be Young
  • Kate the Great
  • Heaven Hop
  • Let’s Step Out
  • Let’s Misbehave
  • Take Me Back to Manhattan
  • Let’s Do It
  • Ya Gotta Give the People Hoke
  • A Second Hand Turban and a Crystal Ball
  • You Can Bounce Right Back
  • You Do Something to Me
  • Just One of Those Things

1987 Revival Song List

ACT I

  • Overture
  • Buddie Beware (Underscore)
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You
  • There’s No Cure Like Travel
  • Bon Voyage
  • Bon Voyage (Playoff)
  • You’re The Top
  • You’re The Top (Playoff)
  • Easy To Love
  • Easy To Love (Reprise)
  • The Crew Song
  • Crew Move #1
  • Crew Move #2
  • There’ll Always Be A Lady Fair
  • Friendship
  • Friendship (Playoff & Chaser)
  • It’s De-lovely
  • Anything Goes

ACT II

  • Entr’acte
  • Public Enemy Number One
  • Gabriel Entrance
  • Blow, Gabriel, Blow
  • Blow, Gabriel, Blow (Playoff)
  • Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye
  • Goodbye (Scene Change)
  • Be Like The Blue Bird
  • All Through The Night
  • All Through The Night (Scene Change)
  • Gypsy In Me
  • Gypsy In Me (Playoff)
  • Bon Voyage (Scene Change)
  • Buddie, Beware
  • Wedding March
  • Little Plum Blossom
  • Finale
  • Bows
  • Exit Music
Awards

1987 Tony Awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance of a Featured Actor, Best Choreography.

2002 Olivier Award: Best Musical Production

2011 Olivier Award: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Best Choreography.

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

 

American Idiot

American Idiot is a concept rock musical based on the album of the same name by American band Greenday. The show brings together a number of the band’s hits in the same order as the album, dramatising the overall concept that the band originally wanted it to use. The musical is a one act show and follows a simple story line set in the recent past. The show was directed and conceived by Michael Mayer who worked with Greenday front man Billie Joe Armstrong in creating it. Although a number of songs from other Greenday albums are used in the show, it is primarily based on the American Idiot album. The show was successful on Broadway for just over a year and featured the lead singer in the lead role towards the end of the run, boosting ticket sales. A UK touring production opened in late 2012.

American-Idiot_Playbill

Billie Joe Armstrong and Greenday

Billie Joe Armstrong and Greenday

Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer

'American Idiot' album

Tom Hulce, Ira Pittelman, Ruth and Stephen Hendel, Vivek Tiwary/Gary Kaplan, Aged In Wood and Burnt Umber, Scott M. Delman, Lati

Michael Mayer

Stephen Hoggett

Productions
American Idiot Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

St James' Theatre - Opened 20 Apr 2010, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: John Gallagher Jr, Michael Esper, Mary Faber, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Christina Sajous, Stark Sands, Tony Vincent.



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

  1. “American Idiot” – Company
  2. “Jesus of Suburbia””Jesus of Suburbia” – Johnny and Will
  3. “City of the Damned” – Tunny, Johnny, Will, & Company
  4. “I Don’t Care” – Johnny, Will, Tunny, & Company
  5. “Dearly Beloved” – Heather & Men
  6. “Tales of Another Broken Home” – Johnny, Will, Tunny, Heather, & Company
  7. “Holiday” – Johnny, Tunny, Theo, & Company
  8. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Johnny, Whatsername, Tunny, & Men
  9. “Favorite Son” – Favorite Son & Women
  10. “Are We the Waiting” – Tunny, Favorite Son, & Company
  11. “St. Jimmy” – Johnny, Miguel, Declan, Theo, St. Jimmy, & Company
  12. “Give Me Novacaine” – Will, Tunny, & Company
  13. “Last of the American Girls/She’s a Rebel” – Johnny, Whatsername, Gerard, Chase, St. Jimmy, & Company
  14. “Last Night on Earth” – St. Jimmy, Whatsername, Heather, & Company
  15. “Too Much Too Soon” – Theo, Alysha, Will, & Heather
  16. “Before the Lobotomy” – Tunny, Joshua, Ben, & Chase
  17. “Extraordinary Girl” – Extraordinary Girl, Tunny, & Company
  18. “Before the Lobotomy (Reprise)” – Tunny, Joshua, Ben, & Chase
  19. “When It’s Time” – Johnny
  20. “Know Your Enemy” – St. Jimmy, Will, Johnny, & Company
  21. “21 Guns” – Whatsername, Extraordinary Girl, Heather, Tunny, Johnny, Will, & Company
  22. “Letterbomb” – Whatsername & Women
  23. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Johnny, Will, Tunny, & Company
  24. “Homecoming””The Death of St. Jimmy” – St. Jimmy & Johnny
  25. “East 12th St.” – Johnny, Theo, Gerard, & Company
  26. “Nobody Likes You” – Will & Company
  27. “Rock and Roll Girlfriend” – Miguel, Heather, Will, & Company
  28. “We’re Coming Home Again” – Johnny, Tunny, Will, & Company
  29. “Whatsername” – Johnny & Company
  30. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Company

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


American Idiot is set in the recent past and begins with a group of young people living in suburban America who have become saturated with TV. They are frustrated with life and the state of the union. Johnny commiserates with his friend Will and are later joined by Tunny. They party together until they run out of beer. Tunny talks about the state of their life, forgotten by society with nowhere to go. Will’s girlfriend Heather arrives and she is pregnant, not knowing whether or not to keep it. Johnny buys tickets for them all to get out of suburbia as Heather confesses to Will about her pregnancy. He stays at home whilst Johnny and Tunny head for the city.

Johnny wanders the streets and struggles to adjust to urban life. He sees an advert for enlisting with the army and realises that the youth of today are so numbed that nothing can excite them. He is unimpressed by the bright lights of the city and enlists with the army. He tries heroin for the first time, whilst at home in suburbia Will sits and watches his girlfriend’s pregnancy develop. Tunny is sent to a war zone and is shot and wounded.

Johnny meets a girl he calls ‘Whatsername’ and takes her to a club where they shoot drugs and later have wild sex. Heather is meanwhile committing to her new born baby. She is sick of Will’s apathy and walks out on him, taking her son with her. In hospital Tunny hallucinates and falls in love with his nurse.

Johnny begins to rely on drugs and lets his alter-ego St Jimmy take over, becoming erratic by threatening Whatsername with a knife. He decides to leave her, choosing drugs and Jimmy over her. Whatsername tells him that he is not ‘Jesus of Suburbia’ and brings him back down to earth saying he is only a figment of his father’s rage and his mother’s love.

Johnny is hurt by her outburst and begs for a better life. Tunny wishes to get out of hospital and Will longs for his child and girlfriend back. St. Jimmy makes a final attempt to get Johnny’s attention but he rejects him. He takes a desk job but soon realises he is not cut out for the city.

Will sits alone with his television, depressed about his position which is made worse when Heather brings her new rock-star boyfriend round. He heads to the 7-Eleven to escape them, bumping into Jonny who has sold his guitar for a bus ticket home. Johnny laments the loss of his love as the full company ponder on the possibility of hope.

Awards

2010 Tony Awards: Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design

 

 

A Chorus Line

A Chorus Line is one of Broadway’s most iconic and long running shows. Conceived initially by Michael Bennett who directed and choreographed the production the show is based on true stories collected from Broadway ‘Gypsies’ – performers who travel from one show to the next as members of the chorus. The show features a series of vignettes depicting each of the dancers on the line auditioning for a part in a Broadway show. The simple concept features a variety of songs that tell the story of the trials and tribulations of a number of different performers.

A-Chorus-Line_Playbill

Marvin Hamlisch

Edward Kleban

James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante

Joseph Papp

Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett & Bob Avian

Productions
A Chorus Line Original Broadway Poster

Original Broadway Production

The Schubert Theatre - Opened 7 Jul 1975, closed 28 Apr 1990

Cast: Kelly Bishop, Pamela Blair, Wayne Cilento, Kay Cole, Patricia Garland, Baayork Lee, Priscilla Lopez, Robert LuPone, Donna McKechnie, Michel Stuart, Thommie Walsh & Sammy Williams.

A Chorus Line Original London

Original London Production

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Opened 1 Jan 1976, closed 1 Jan 1970

A Chorus Line Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - Opened 6 Oct 2006, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Ken Alan (Bobby), Brad Anderson (Don), Natalie Cortez (Diana), Mara Davi (Maggie), Jessica Lee Goldyn (Val), Deidre Goodwin (Sheila), Tyler Hanes (Larry), James T. Lane (Richie), Paul McGill (Mark), Heather Parcells (Judy), Michael Paternostro (Greg), Alisan Porter (Bebe), Jeffrey Schecter (Mike), Yuka Takara (Connie), Jason Tan (Paul),   

A Chorus Line Palladium 2013

London Revival

London Palladium - Opened 1 Feb 2013, closed 31 Aug 2013

Cast: Summer Strallen, John Partridge, Leigh Zimmerman, Lucy Adcock (Judy), Georgie Ashford (Trisha), Ed Currie (Bobby), Frances Dee (Kristine), Segun Fawole (Butch), Harry Francis (Mark), Simon Hardwick (Al), Rebecca Herszenhon (Val), James T Lane (Richie), Vicki Lee Taylor (Maggie), Daisy Maywood (Bebe), Alastair Postlethwaite (Larry), Andy Rees (Greg), Adam Salter (Mike), Alexzandra Sarmiento (Connie), Michael Steedon (Tom), Gary Watson (Don), Gary Wood (Paul), Rebecca Giocopazzi, Genevieve Nicole and Ashley Nottingham, Alice Jane Murray and Marc Leslie.



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

Synopsis

The show begins at the open audition for a brand new Broadway musical. Director Zach and his assistant choreographer Larry begin to teach a routine to the candidates. Each person auditioning for the work is desperate for the chance to impress and dancers cry out for a chance to be noticed. After the first cut a group of 17 remain. They are asked to stand on a line on a bare stage as Zach asks to find out more about them. The first to speak is Mike who talks about his first dance experience watching his sister go to dance class. One day as she refused to go to class, he went in her place, enjoying it so much that he stayed. The other dancers laugh at his story but are secretly worried about what Zach may ask each of them.

An older dancer Sheila is reprimanded for not taking the process seriously. She says that her mother married young and her father left them, saying ballet was her only escape from her unhappy family life. Bebe and Maggie agree with this, joining in with her song ‘At the Ballet’. We are then introduced to Kristine and Al who are married. Kristine is tone-deaf and can’t sing, as Al jumps in to finish each of her phrases.

As the group slowly begin to loosen up, Mark talks about his first wet dream and sexual experience, triggering the group to talk about adolescence. Greg talks about coming out as gay, before Diana tells of her acting school and the disrespect she felt from her teacher. Each of the group have a different reason for dancing and something that has held them back in the past. Val tells them that talent alone won’t get you a job, showing off her new tits and plastic surgery enhancements.

As the group is led downstairs to learn a song for the next round, Cassie stays onstage to talk to Zach. The two have previously been in a relationship and Zach tells Cassie she is too good to be stuck in the chorus. Cassie just needs to find work so she can dance, and shows Zach, and the audience, what she can do.

Paul enters and delivers a monologue to Zach about his previous experience as a drag act and his inner struggle with his sexuality. As he tells of his parent’s reaction to his life he breaks down, and Zach comforts him. As everyone runs through a number onstage Zach and Cassie’s past comes to life once again. Zach does not want Cassie in the chorus, but she is happy to be there.

As the dancers begin a tap combination Paul falls over and injures his knee. He is taken to hospital and the harsh reality of each dancer that their careers could end in a second begins to take its toll. Zach questions them about what they would do if they couldn’t dance anymore. They sing about how much the profession means to them. Zach makes his final decision casting 8 dancers that include Cassie. As they begin to give a performance of the final number they blend into one, as the mirrors behind them project an ever-growing and never-ending ensemble.

Songs
  • Opening (I Hope I Get It)
  • I Can Do That
  • At The Ballet
  • Sing
  • Montage-Part 1 (Hello Twelve)
  • Montage-Part 2 (Nothing)
  • Montage – Part 3 (“Mother”)
  • Montage – Part 4 (Judy, Greg, Richie & Company)
  • Dance: Ten; Looks: Three
  • The Music and the Mirror
  • One
  • Tap Dance
  • Alternatives
  • What I Did For Love
  • Bows (Finale)
Awards

1976 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Leading Actress, Best Featured Actor, Best Featured Actress, Best Score, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design.

Pulitzer Prize for Drama

1976 Olivier Award: Best New Musical

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

Annie

Everyone’s favourite red headed orphan Annie is based on the comic strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’. The musical was written by Charles Strouse and included lyrics by Martin Charnin. The show has been successful all over the world, with numerous movie and TV adaptations as well as attempts at sequels. The show follows the luck of orphan Annie who finds her luck changes as she is selected to live with a local Billionaire in 1930s New York.

Annie_Playbill

Charles Strouse

Martin Charnin

Thomas Meehan

Tribune Media Service Comic Strip – Little Orphan Annie

Mike Nichols

Martin Charnin

Peter Gennaro

Productions
Annie Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Alvin Theatre - Opened 21 Apr 1977, closed 2 Jan 1983

Cast: Andrea McArdle as Annie, Reid Shelton as Daddy Warbucks, Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan, and Sandy Faison as Grace Farrell.

Annie Original London

Original London Production

Victoria Palace Theatre - Opened 3 May 1978, closed 23 Nov 1981

Cast: Sheila Hancock (Miss Hannigan), and later by Maria Charles and Stella Moray; Stratford Johns (Daddy Warbucks) and later by Charles West, with Deborah Clarke (Pepper) and Melanie Grant (Molly).

Annie 1st Broadway Revival

20th Anniversary Broadway Revival

Martin Beck Theatre - Opened 1 Apr 1997, closed 1 Oct 1997

Annie London Revival

London Revival

Victoria Palace Theatre - Opened 30 Sep 1998, closed 28 Feb 1998

Annie Palace 2012

2012 Broadway Revival

Palace Theatre - Opened 3 Oct 2012, closed 2 Jun 2013



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

Synopsis

The year is 1933 in the Municipal Girl’s Orphanage in New York. As the girls sleep, Molly, the youngest, awakes from a bad dream in which Annie comforts her the thought that their parents are out their waiting for them. She reads her a note her own parents left on the doorstep of the orphanage along with her 11 years ago, (“Maybe”). Miss Hannigan, the drunken supervisor crawls in and yells at the girls to get back to work. Annie attempts to escape but is caught by Miss Hannigan who then makes the girls scrub the whole building, “Hard Knock Life”. Mr Bundles the laundry man enters and flirts with Miss Hannigan. Annie seizes her chance and jumps into his laundry trolley, escaping into the streets. Miss Hannigan realises she has escaped and is furious.

On the streets of New York Annie runs into a stray dog and calls it Sandy. Annie sings to her about the optimism of ‘Tomorrow’. She runs into a ‘Hooverville’ that has been set up by the homeless due to the Great Depression. The community sing an ironic song to thank President Hoover “We’d Like to Thank You”. Annie caught by the policeman and returned to the orphanage.

Grace Farrell is in Miss Hannigan’s office attempting to arrange for one of the girls to come and live with billionaire Oliver Warbucks as part of his charitable outreach. She spots Annie in the office and begs to take her, contrary to Miss Hannigan’s wishes. Miss Hannigan drinks and moans about her life looking after “Little Girls”.

Annie is welcomed to the Warbucks Mansion by the staff who are delighted to have her and sing “We Hope You Like it Here”. Oliver Warbucks is a moody old man and is not happy about having an orphan. He tries to get Grace to take Annie to the movies, but instead she drags him along to enjoy a trip to “N.Y.C”.

At the orphanage Miss Hannigan’s brother Rooster and his classless girlfriend Lily pay her a visit. Rooster sets about planning how to use Annie’s improved situation to help their own, “Easy Street”.

Warbucks buys Annie a new locket but she refuses to wear it saying she would prefer to hold onto the one she has, which was left with her as a baby and is the only thing she owns from her parents. She is upset about not knowing her parents and Warbucks vows to help her find them, (“You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long”).

In order to find her parents Annie appears on the Bert Healy show where Warbucks offers $50,000 reward to find her mother and father. They sing a fun song, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”. The orphans are listening to the radio and sing their own version but are interrupted by Miss Hannigan who demands to know about the reward. Rooster decides to disguise himself and Lily as Annie’s parents in order to claim the reward. Miss Hannigan helps them by telling them about the locket and the note in order t convincingly pass as her parents.

Warbucks takes Annie to meet President Roosevelt and she sings “Tomorrow” to him, and the whole Cabinet join in with the idea of optimism. Warbucks tells Annie that her loves her (“Something Was Missing”) and tells her he will adopt her (“I Don’t Need Anything But You”). They decide to hold a Christmas party and invite the orphans and Miss Hannigan along.

As the adoption is about to take place, Rooster and Lily enter disguised as Mr and Mrs Mudge. Grace and Warbucks are shocked as they know all about the note and the locket. Warbucks is sceptical and gets a private investigator to look into the case. The Mudge’s tell Annie they will take her back to their Pig Farm in New Jersey. Just as they are about to take her, the investigator reveals that they are impostors and that Annie’s real parents have died. They are arrested along with Miss Hannigan. Everyone rejoices as they hear about Roosevelt’s “New Deal for Christmas”.

Songs

Act I

  • Overture
  • Maybe – Annie
  • It’s the Hard-Knock Life – Annie and the Orphans
  • It’s The Hard Knock Life Reprise – The Orphans
  • Tomorrow -Annie
  • We’d Like to Thank You
  • Little Girls – Miss Hannigan
  • Little Girls Reprise
  • I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here – Grace, Annie, Drake, Cecille, Annette, Mrs.Pugh, Other Servants
  • Let’s Go To The Movies
  • N.Y.C. – Warbucks, Grace, Annie, Star To Be and New Yorkers
  • Easy Street – Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lilly
  • You Won’t Be An Orphan For Long – Grace, Drake, Mrs.Pugh, Cecille, Annette, Servants and Warbucks
  • Maybe Reprise 1 – Annie
Act II 
  • You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile – Bert Healy, The Boyland Sisters and The Hour of Smiles Family
  • You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise) – The Orphans
  • Easy Street (Reprise) – Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Lilly
  • Tomorrow (Reprise) – Annie, F.D.R.,Warbucks and the Cabinet
  • Something Was Missing – Warbucks
  • I Don’t Need Anything But You – Warbucks and Annie
  • Annie – Grace, Drake and the Staff
  • Maybe Reprise 2 – Annie
  • A New Deal for Christmas – Annie, Warbucks, Grace, F.D.R., The Orphans and the Staff
Awards

1977 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Performance by Leading Actress, Best Choreography, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design.

Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Featured Actress.

Licensing

UK: Musical Theatre International

USA: Josef Weinberger