Category Archives: L

Musicals staring with letter L

Les Misérables

Les Misérables is a sung-through musical by Boubil and Schonberg based on the epic Victor Hugo novel of the same name. After receiving notoriously poor reviews from the critics when it premiered at the Barbican in 1985 Les Miserables went on to become the most successful musical the world has ever seen. The RSC’s production directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird is the longest running musical in the world, although it has moved locations twice first to the Palace Theatre and then to the Queens theatre where it continues to play to this day.

Set in early 19th century France the musical tells the story of John Valjean a peasant sentenced to 19 years enslavement for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving child. After breaking his parole and trying to turn his life around he is relentlessly pursued by policeman Javert. Along the way he meets various characters, adopts a daughter ‘Cosette’ and becomes caught up in the students revolution.

In 2012 Les Misérables the musical was made into a successful film starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Les Mis Musical heaven

Claude-Michel Schonberg

Original French: Alain Boubil English translation: Herbert Kretzmer

Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boubil

Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables

Cameron Mackintosh

Trevor Nunn and John Caird

Productions
Les Miserables logo 100x150

Les Misérables original London production

The Barbican Theatre - Opened 8 Oct 1985, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam, Patti LuPone, Frances Ruffelle, Alun Armstrong, Susan Jane Tanner, Michael Ball Rebecca Caine and David Burt.

Les Mis First Broadway play bill

Les Misérables Original Broadway Production

The Broadway Theatre - Opened 12 Mar 1987, closed 18 May 2003

Cast: Colm Wilkinson, David Bryant Judy Kuhn Michael Maguire Frances Ruffelle Jennifer Butt Leo Burmester Randy Graff and Terrence Mann.

Les Mis second Broadway Play Bill

Les Misérables First Broadway revival

Broadhurst Theatre - Opened 9 Nov 2006, closed 6 Jan 2008

Cast: Alexander Gemignani, Norm Lewis, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Celia Keenan-Bolger Aaron Lazar Adam Jacobs, Ali Ewoldt, Gary Beach Jenny Galloway

Les Mis Third Broadway Play Bill

Les Misérables Second Broadway Revival

Imperial Theatre - Opened 1 Mar 2014, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Ramin Karimloo, Will Swenson, Caissie Levy, and Nikki M. James , Andy Mientus, Samantha Hill, Kyle Scatliffe, Cliff Saunders and Keala Settle.



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

An ex-convict is pursued relentlessly by a policeman. They and other characters become caught up in the Paris student revolts of 1832.

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


Act 1

Prologue

In France 1815 prisoners are forced to work in a chain gang “Work Song”. After 19 years enslavement for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving child Jean Valjean aka prisoner 24601 is released on parole by policeman Javert. Valjean must display a yellow ticket-of leave which identifies him as an ex-convict and condemns him to be shunned by society “On Parole”. The only person to treat him kindly is the Bishop of Digne and Valjean embittered by his years of misery repays him by stealing the silver. Valjean who is subsequently caught by the police and brought back to the Bishop is astonished when the Bishop covers for him and gifts him the rest of the silver. “Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven” Inspired by this act of kindness Valjean decides to turn his life around “Valjean’s Soliloquy”/”What Have I Done?” Hoping to free himself from his criminal past he tears up his yellow ticket therefore breaking his parole.

The musical then jumps forward eight years to 1823 Valjean has adopted a new name Monsieur Madeleine and has become the proprietor of a factory and mayor of Montreuil-Sur-Mer. Fantine a single mother working in Valjean’s factory is discovered to have an illegitimate child Cosette, who lives with an innkeeper and unknown to Valjean the other factory workers call for her dismissal “At the End of the Day”. Fantine reflects on her broken dreams “I Dreamed a Dream”.

Desperate for money to support her daughter Fantine sells her locket and her hair before being forced into prostitution “Lovely Ladies”. She gets into a fight with a customer and is to be arrested by Javert who is now an inspector in the area when Val Jean wracked with gulit for his involvement in her plight rescues her and takes her to a hospital. “Fantine’s Arrest”

Shortly after Valjean rescues a man pinned by a runaway cart “The Runaway Cart”. Javert who has not recognised him up until this point is reminded of the incredible strength of prisoner 24601 and becomes suspicious. However it turns out that another man has been arrested as Valjean. Unwilling to see an innocent man go to prison for him Valjean confesses his true identity to the court “Who Am I?—The Trial”.

Valjean promises Fantine on her death bed that he will look after her daughter Cosette “Come to Me”/”Fantine’s Death”. Javert arrives to arrest Valjean but he manages to escape “The Confrontation”.

In Montfermeil Cosette has been in the care of exploitative innkeepers the Thénardiers who treat her like a slave while indulging their own daughter Éponine. Cosette dreams of a better life “Castle on a Cloud”. The Thénardiers rip off their customers “Master of the House”. Valjean makes a deal with the Thénardiers and adopts Cosette “The Bargain” and they leave together for Paris “The Waltz of Treachery”.

The action then skips forward again nine years to 1832. Paris is in a state of unrest because of the impending death of the last man in Government who cares for the poor, General Lamarque. Among the crowds are student revolutionaries Marius Pontmercy and Enjolras, a street gang lead by Thenarider and his wife, their daughter Éponine who is all grown up and hopeessly in love with an oblivious Marius and streetwise young urchin Gavroche “Look Down”.

The Thénardiers gang attempt to rob Valjean and Cosette but are rescued by Javert who again fails to recognise Valjean even though he has pursued him all these years. Cosette bumps into Marius, and the pair fall in love at first sight “The Robbery”. Tipped off by Thénardier Javert realises too late who Valjean is and makes a vow to capture him “Stars”. Meanwhile, Marius persuades Éponine to help him find Cosette “Éponine’s Errand”.

At a café Enjolras rallies a group of idealistic students to prepare for revolution while a love sick Marius thinks about Cosette “The ABC Café—Red and Black”. When Gavroche brings the news of General Lamarque’s death the students see the opportunity to incite the people to revolt “Do You Hear the People Sing?”.

Cosette is overwhelmed with feelings for Marius and wishes to know why Valjean keeps secrets about both their pasts “Rue Plumet—In My Life”. A heartbroken Éponine leads Marius to where Cosette lives and they confess their love to each other while she watches on “A Heart Full of Love”. Éponine thwarts a plan by her father Thénardier and his gang to rob Valjean’s house by screaming a warning “The Attack on Rue Plumet”. Valjean believes the intruders to be sent by Javert and resolves to leave the country. On the eve of the 1832 Paris uprising the characters anticipate what the dawn will bring “One Day More”.
Act 2

The students build a barricade. Javert who has disguised himself as a rebel in an attempt to spy upon the rebels, volunteers to “spy” on the government troops. Marius discovers that Éponine has disguised herself as a boy in order to join the rebels and sends her away to deliver a letter to Cosette. “Building the Barricade—Upon These Stones”. Valjean intercepts the letter and learns about Marius and Cosette’s romance. Éponine walks the streets of Paris alone imagining that Marius is with her, she resolves that her love will never be reciprocated “On My Own”.

The French army demands the surrender of the students “At the Barricade—Upon These Stones”. Javert tells the students the government won’t attack that night “Javert’s Arrival” but is exposed as a spy by Gavroche “Little People”.

Éponine is shot by soldiers as she crosses the barricade trying to find Marius and dies in his arms “A Little Fall of Rain”.

Valjean arrives at the barricade in search of Marius “Night of Anguish”. The rebels initially suspicious of Valjean are won over by him when he saves Enjolras. In return he asks if he can be the one to execute Javert which they grant. When they are alone together Valjean frees Javert who swears he will never give up his pursuit of Valjean “The First Attack”.

The students settle in for the night and reminisce “Drink with Me”. After they’re asleep Valjean prays to God to protect Marius “Bring Him Home”.
As dawn approaches, Enjolras realises that the people of Paris have failed to join them in revolution and they are on their own but resolves to fight anyway “Dawn of Anguish”. Gavroche is killed “The Second Attack/Death of Gavroche”. The rebels refuse to surrender and are all killed apart from Valjean who escapes to the sewers carrying an unconscious Marius “The Final Battle”.

Valjean collapses from the exhaustion of carrying Marius and Thénardier who has been looting bodies “Dog Eats Dog” steals a ring from Marius before fleeing when Valjean regains consciousness. Valjean carries Marius out of the sewers to find Javert waiting for him. Valjean pleads with Javert to let him take the boy to a doctor and Javert reluctantly agrees. Valjeans act of mercy has shattered Javert’s view of the world and he commits suicide by throwing himself into the Seine “Soliloquy – Javert’s Suicide”.

In the aftermath of the failed revolution, women mourn the deaths of the students “Turning” and a wounded Marius despairs at the loss of his friends “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”.

Unaware of who rescued him Marius recovers in Cosettes care. Valjean give the pair his blessing “Every Day” and confesses to Marius everything about his criminal past but makes him promise never to tell Cosette and insists on going away “Valjean’s Confession”. Later at Marius and Cosette’s wedding “Wedding Chorale” their reception is gate crashed by the Thénardiers who attempt to blackmail Marius informing him that Cosette’s father is a murderer and that Thénardier saw him carrying a corpse in the sewers after the barricades fell producing Marius’s own stolen ring as proof. Marius finally realises that it was Valjean who rescued him from the barricade. After punching Thénardier in the face he and Cosette go to find Valjean. The Thénardiers remain defiant “Beggars at the Feast”.

Marius and Cosette find Valjean dying in a convent Marius thanks him for saving his life and Cosette finally learns the truth about her past. “Epilogue – Valjean’s Death” The spirit of Fantine appears to him and tells him that he has been forgiven and she and Éponine guide him to heaven. They are joined by all those who perished at the barricade “Finale”.

Songs

Act 1

  • Prologue: Work Song Chain Gang……………………………………………. Javert and Valjean
  • Prologue: On Parole………………………… Valjean, Farmer, Labourer, Innkeeper’s Wife, Innkeeper and Bishop of Digne
  • Prologue: Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven…………………………………….Constables and Bishop of Digne
  • Prologue: What Have I Done? ……………………………………..Valjean
  • At the End of the Day……………………………………… Poor, Foreman, Workers, Factory Girls, Fantine and Valjean
  • I Dreamed a Dream…………………………………….Fantine
  • Lovely Ladies…………………………………….Sailors, Old Woman, Fantine, Crone, Whores and Pimp
  • Fantine’s Arrest ……………………………………Bamatabois, Fantine, Javert and Valjean
  • The Runaway Cart …………………………………………Townspeople, Valjean, Fauchelevant and Javert
  • Who Am I? /The Trial …………………………………………………Valjean
  • Fantine’s Death: Come to Me ………………………………..Fantine and Valjean
  • The Confrontation …………………………………………..Javert and Valjean
  • Castle on a Cloud…………………………………………….. Young Cosette and Madame Thénardier
  • Master of the House ………………………………………….Thénardier, Madame Thénardier and Customers
  • The Well Scene……………………………………………….. Valjean and Young Cosette
  • The Bargain (Waltz of Treachery) ………………….Thénardier, Valjean, Madame Thénardier and Young Cosette
  • Look Down ……………………………………..Gavroche, Beggars, Old Woman, Prostitute, Pimp, Enjolras, and Marius
  • The Robbery …………………………………..Thénardier, Madame Thénardier, Marius, Éponine and Valjean
  • Javert’s Intervention ………………………………………..Javert and Thénardier
  • Stars ……………………………………..Javert
  • Éponine’s Errand………………………………………… Éponine and Marius
  • Red and Black (The ABC café) ………………………………Enjolras, Marius, Grantaire, Combeferre, Feuilly, Courfeyrac, Joly, Gavroche and Students
  • Do You Hear the People Sing?…………………………………… Enjolras, Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Feuilly Students and Townspeople
  • Rue Plumet – In My Life ………………………………………. Cosette, Valjean, Marius and Éponine
  • A Heart Full of Love …………………………………………….Marius, Cosette and Éponine
  • The Attack on the Rue Plumet ……………………………….. Thénardier, Thieves (Montparnasse, Brujon, Babet, Claquesous), Éponine, Marius, Valjean and Cosette
  • One Day More ……………………………………..Valjean, Marius, Cosette, Éponine, Enjolras, Javert, Thénardier, Madame Thénardier and Company

Act 2 

  • At the Barricade (Upon These Stones) …………………………………….. Enjolras, Javert, Marius, Éponine and Valjean
  • On My Own ……………………………………….. Éponine
  • Building the Barricade (Upon These Stones) …………………………………………..Enjolras, Students and Army Officer
    Javert’s Arrival …………………………………………………….Javert and Enjolras
  • Little People …………………………………………..Gavroche, Students, Enjolras and Javert
  • A Little Fall of Rain ………………………………….. Éponine and Marius
  • Night of Anguish ………………………………Enjolras, Valjean, and Students
  • The First Attack ……………………………………… Enjolras, Grantaire, Students, Valjean and Javert
  • Drink with Me …………………………………..Grantaire and Marius
  • Bring Him Home …………………………………………….. Valjean
  • Dawn of Anguish ………………………………………..Enjolras and Students
  • The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche) ……………………………….. Enjolras, Marius, Valjean, Grantaire, Gavroche and Students
  • The Final Battle …………………………………………………Army Officer, Grantaire, Enjolras and Students
  • Dog Eats Dog (The Sewers) …………………………………….. Thénardier
  • Soliloquy (Javert’s Suicide) ……………………………………..Valjean and Javert
  • Turning ……………………………………..Women of Paris
  • Empty Chairs at Empty Tables ……………………………….Marius
  • Every Day / A Heart Full of Love (Reprise) ……………………………Cosette, Marius and Valjean
  • Valjean’s Confession ………………………………………Valjean and Marius
  • Wedding Chorale ………………………..Guests, Thénardier, Marius and Madame Thénardier
  • Beggars at the Feast ………………………………..Thénardier and Madame Thénardier
  • Epilogue: Valjean’s Death …………………………Valjean, Fantine, Cosette, Marius and Éponine
  • Finale: Do You Hear the People Sing (Reprise) ……………………………………………Full Company
Awards

1985 Olivier Awards: Best Actress in a musical (Patti LuPone)

1987 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Michael Maguire), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Frances Ruffelle), Best Direction of a Musical Trevor Nunn and John Caird, Best Scenic Design John Napier Best Lighting Design David Hersey.

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

The Lion King

Disney’s The Lion King is a multi-award winning hit musical that has achieved worldwide success. Based on the 1994 animated film of the same name, the stage version uses the hit songs by Elton John and Tim Rice as well as an expanded score with additional music by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M. The production was directed by Julie Taymor and produced by Disney Theatricals. It originally opened in 1997 in Minneapolis before transferring to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre for an official opening on November 13, 1997. The show has now been seen all around the world. 

 

 

The Lion King Broadway Playbill

Elton John

Tim Rice

Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi

The 1994 Disney film of the same name

Adapted from the screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton

Disney Theatrical Productions; Produced for Disney Theatrical Productions by Peter Schneider and Thomas Schumacher; Associate Pr

Julie Taymor

Garth Fagan

Productions
The Lion King - Broadway

The Lion King - Original Broadway

New Amsterdam Theatre - Opened 13 Nov 1997, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Jason Raize, John Vickery, Samuel E. Wright, Heather Headley, Max Casella, Geoff Hoyle

The Lion King - London

The Lion King - Original London

The Lyceum Theatre - Opened 6 Mar 2013, closed 5 Jan 2014

Cast: Rodger Wright, Luke Youngblood, Rob Edwards, Cornell John, Paulette Ivory, Pippa Bennett Warner



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

A lion cub overcomes his evil uncle in order to take his place in the great circle of life in Disney’s Hamlet inspired mega-musical. 

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


Songs

Act 1 

  1. The Circle of Life 
  2. Grasslands Chant 
  3. The Morning Report 
  4. The Lioness Hunt 
  5. I Just Can’t Wait to Be King 
  6. Chow Down
  7. They Live in You 
  8. Be Prepared 
  9. The Stampede 
  10. Rafiki Mourns 
  11. Hakuna Matata 
Act 2 
 
  • One By One 
  • The Madness of King Scar 
  • Shadowland 
  • The Lion Sleeps Tonight 
  • Endless Night 
  • Can You Feel the Love Tonight 
  • He Lives in You Reprise 
  • Simba Confronts Scar 
  • King of Pride Rock
Awards
  • 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Musical, 
  • 1998 Drama Desk: Outstanding Featured Actress, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design 

Leave it to Jane

Leave It to Jane was written in 1917 and premiered at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway. The musical features a score by Jerome Kern along with book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and P.G Wodehouse. The show is based on the 1904 play ‘College Widow’ and concerns two rival schools who fight to win the football season. The seductive Jane is sent by the school to lure away the rival’s key new player, going against her father’s wishes. The original production had moderate success, but the off-Broadway revival in 1959 ran for almost 2 years. The show features famous songs such as ‘Cleopatterer’, ‘A Peach of Life’ and ‘Leave it to Jane’.

Leave It To Jane

Jerome Kern

P.G. Wodehouse

Guy Bolton & P.G. Wodehouse

The College Widow By George Ade

William Elliot, F. Ray Comstock & Morris Gest

Edward Royce

Edward Royce

Productions
Leave it to Jane Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Longacre Theatre - Opened 28 Aug 1917, closed 19 Jan 1918, 167 performances

Leave it to Jane Off Broadway Revival

Off-Broadway Revival

Sheridan Square Playhouse - Opened 25 May 1959, closed 1 Jan 1970, 958 performances



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

Synopsis

A Flirtatious College girl is assigned the takes of getting a star quarterback to switch to her college so they will win the big game. The show opens on the first day of term at ”Good Old Atwater” College in Indiana, and the football season is expected to beat rival school Bingham in the all important Thanksgiving Day match. The school President has news of a new quaterback who is an ex-piano mover and will increase the team’s chances of success. All they need to do is convince everyone he is a real student. Jane Witherspoon is sought after by all of the college football team, and he father is a donor of her rival school. A bet is set up between the two school Presidents and the game is on. The news of Bingham College’s new signing comes as Billy Bolton of Minnesota. It is left to Jane to lure him to Atwater College with the prospects of academics and possible romance.

Songs
  • Wait Till Tomorrow
  • Just You Watch My Step
  • Leave It To Jane
  • The Crickets Are Calling
  • The Siren’s Song
  • There It Is Again
  • Cleopatterer
  • The Sun Shines Brighter
  • I’m Going to Find A Girl
Awards

Winner of no major awards

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Music Scope UK

 

Lil Abner

Li’l Abner is based on the famous Al Capp comic strip and was a popular musical of the 1950s. The show features music by Gene De Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, along with a book by Norman Panama. Many attempts were made to musicalize the comic strip, but the deal was finally won by Paramount Pictures who wanted to turn the stage musical into a film. The show brings the famous characters to life from the comic strip, providing a spoof of hillbillies, whilst at the same time criticising the federal government through its satirical book. The original production was praised for its acting talent onstage, although no formal revival has been made of the show, or London transfer.

Lil'Abner

Gene de Paul

Norman Panama & Melvin Frank

Al Capp's creations

Norman Panama, Melvin Frank & Michael Kidd

Michael Kidd

Michael Kidd

Productions
Lil Abner Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

St James' Theatre - Opened 15 Nov 1956, closed 12 Jul 1958

Cast: Stubby Kaye, Edith Adams, Peter Palmer, Stanley Simmonds, George Reeder, Ralph Linn, Marc Breaux, Howard St. John, Carmen Alvarez, Pat Creighton, Lillian D’Homan, Bonnie Evans, Hope Holiday and Dee Dee Wood

Lil Abner Encores

Encores! Production

City Centre Encores - Opened 26 Mar 1998, closed 1 Jan 1970



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Synopsis

In Dogpatch, U.S.A., it’s “A Typical Day” as bombshell Daisy Mae is trying to convince Li’l Abner Yokum to be her boyfriend. Handsome Abner has no interested in girls or getting a job, so Abner’s mother Mammy tells Daisy Mae to get Abner to come to the Cornpone Meetin’ in the centre of town. Abner is content with his simple life and enjoys fishing with his friends (“If I Had My Druthers”). Daisy Mae arrives to tell the boys about the meeting, and they head into town.

At the Cornpone Meetin’, Senator Fogbound, the town’s congressman, announces that Congress has decided Dogpatch is the most unnecessary town in the country and will therefore become a testing site for a nuclear bomb. The town is thrilled that it has been recognised for any title at all (“Rag Offen the Bush”). However, Earthquake McGoon brings up the fact that if they all leave Dogpatch, they will be unable to have the annual Sadie Hawkins day race. This race is the only way anyone in the town can get married, and a prospective bride must catch a boy during the race in order to be hitched. The town agrees that Sadie Hawkins Day is worth saving the town for, so they plan to prove that Dogpatch has some necessary qualities.

Daisy Mae’s trailer trash family, the Scraggs, decide to accept Earthquake’s $1 to allow him to be caught by Daisy Mae on Sadie Hawkins Day. Meanwhile, Daisy Mae finally manages to make Abner realise that she should be with him (“Namely You”). Reality sets in and the town begins to reject the idea of being an “Unnecessary Town.” Mammy Yokum reveals that it is her Yokumberry Tonic that has given Abner his perfect all-American looks. An unattractive government scientist arrives and upon taking one spoonful he is transformed into a tall beefcake of a man. Abner takes the tonic to Washington to make a case that there is something special about Dogpatch. Greedy General Bullmoose hears of the potion and wants it for himself. He decides to have his voluptuous girlfriend Apasionata Von Climax catch Abner on Sadie Hawkins Day, and then kill Abner once they are married so Appasionata will inherit the formula.

Abner returns home and assures everyone that “The Country’s in the Very Best of Hands.” General Bullmoose, Apasionata, and their cohort Evil Eye Fleagle arrive just in time for Sadie Hawkins Day, as the women begin chasing the men in the annual race. Daisy Mae nearly catches Abner, but when Evil Eye Fleagle freezes everyone in the race, Apasionata manages to catch Abner first.

After the race, 17 year-old Daisy Mae is worried that she failed to win Abner because she is not young and beautiful enough (“I’m Past My Prime”). Mammy Yokum dreams of Bullmoose’s plot to kill Abner and asks Daisy Mae to head to Washington to save him. Daisy Mae requests that Earthquake accompany her and agrees to marry him if he does.

In Washington, Bullmoose realises he will not have to have Abner marry Apassionata and can instead use Fleagle’s evil eye to still Abner’s secret and then convince him to commit suicide. Mammy and Pappy Yokum arrive with Daisy Mae and Earthquake to stop him, and Earthquake inadvertently bounces the beam from Fleagle’s evil eye with a mirror. Mammy is able to get Bullmoose to confess and he and his crew are promptly arrested.

The women of Dogpatch head to the factory in Washington where their husbands have been test subjects for the Yokumberry Tonic. They find them transformed into virile specimens, but unfortunately they no longer have any interest in their wives. The scientists reveal that while the potion makes men handsome, it also removes their romantic desire. The women ask the scientists to “Put ‘Em Back” to the way they were. Daisy Mae confesses to Abner that she has now agreed to marry Earthquake but would prefer to marry him. Pappy Yokum tells Abner that he has a special tonic that will make Abner want to marry Daisy Mae.

When they return to Dogpatch, Daisy Mae and Earthquake proceed with their wedding. Daisy Mae’s relatives arrive and on being informed they will be moving in with the couple, Earthquake begins to have second thoughts. Pappy gives Abner the potion, which is secretly just water, and Abner immediately rushes in to stop the wedding. Earthquake happily allows Abner to marry Daisy Mae instead. The government arrive to evacuate the town before the bomb testing begins, but as they move a statue of the town’s most famous citizen Jubilation T. Cornpone, they discover that as a result of Conrpone’s many military blunders on behalf of the South during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln has declared Dogpatch a national heritage site. The bomb testing is cancelled and Dogpatch returns to its simple, happy life.

Songs

Act I

  • Overture
  • A Typical Day
  • If I Had My Druthers
  • If I Had My Druthers (reprise)
  • Jubilation T. Cornpone
  • Jubilation T. Cornpone (encore)
  • Rag Off’n The Bush
  • Dogpatch Dance
  • Namely You
  • Unnecessary Town
  • What’s Good For General Bullmoose
  • There’s Room Enough For Us
  • The Country’s In The Very Best Of Hands
  • The Country’s In The Very Best Of Hands (encore)
  • Sadie Hawkins Ballet

Act II

  • Entr’acte
  • Oh, Happy Day
  • I’m Past My Prime
  • Love In A Home
  • Progress Is The Root Of All Evil
  • In Society
  • Progress Is The Root Of All Evil (reprise)
  • Put ‘em Back
  • Namely You (reprise)
  • The Matrimonial Stomp
  • Put ‘Em Back (reprise)
  • The Matrimonial Stomp (reprise)
  • Jubilation T. Cornpone (Finale)
Awards

1957 Tony Awards: Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Edith Adams), Best Choreography (Michael Kidd)

Nominated for: Best Costume Design (Alvin Colt)

1957 Theatre World Awards: Peter Palmer, Wynne Miller

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

 

A Little Night Music

A Little Night Music is one of Sondheim’s most popular musicals, especially in London. Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, the show is inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film ‘Smiles of a Summer Night’ and follows the romantic entanglements of various couples. The show is written almost entirely in 3/4 waltz time, or derivatives thereof and includes show standards ‘Send in the Clowns’, ‘The Miller’s Son’ and ‘A Weekend in the Country’.  The show has been revived countless times in London, and has become a highly regarded musical, with many stage actresses longing to play the part of fading rose Desire Armfelt.

A Little Night Music

Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim

Hugh Wheeler

the film Smiles of a Summer Night by Ingmar Bergman

Harold Prince

Harold Prince

Patricia Birch

Productions
A Little Night Music - Original Broadway

A Little Night Music - Original Broadway

Schubert Theatre - Opened 25 Feb 1973, closed 3 Aug 1974

Cast: Glynis Johns (Desiree Armfeldt), Len Cariou (Fredrik Egerman), Hermione Gingold (Madame Armfeldt), Victoria Mallory, Judith Kahan, Mark Lambert, Laurence Guittard, Patricia Elliott, George Lee Andrews, and D. Jamin Bartlett.

A Little Night Music Original London

A Little Night Music - Original London

Adelphi Theatre - Opened 15 Apr 1975, closed 1 Jan 1970, 406 performances

Cast: Jean Simmons, Joss Ackland, David Kernan, Liz Robertson, Diane Langton, and Hermione Gingold.

A Little Night Music - First London Revival

A Little Night Music - First London Revival

Piccadilly Theatre - Opened 6 Oct 1989, closed 17 Feb 1990

A Little Night Music - National Theatre

A Little Night Music - National Thetare

National Theatre - Opened 26 Sep 1995, closed 31 Aug 1996

Cast: Judi Dench, Joanna Riding 

A Little Night Music - Menier

A Little Night Music - Menier Chocolate Factory

Menier Chocolate Factory - Opened 22 Nov 2008, closed 8 Mar 2009

Cast: Hannah Waddingham, Jesse Buckley, Alexander Hanson

A Little Night Music - Garrick

A Little Night Music - 3rd London Revival

Garrick Theatre - Opened 28 Mar 2009, closed 25 Jul 2009

Cast: Hannah Waddingham, Jesse Buckley, Alexander Hanson

A Little Night Music - Broadway Revival

A Little Night Music - Broadway Revival

Walter Kerr Theatre - Opened 13 Dec 2009, closed 9 Jan 2011, 425 performances

Cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angela Lansbury, Leigh Ann Larkin, Alexander Hanson. Elaine Stritch and Bernadette Peters took over in the role. 



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Synopsis

The musical is set in Sweden around the turn of the 20th Century. We are introduced to a Quintet who act as a form of Greek chorus, vocalising their thoughts on the proceedings and relationships of the lead characters. A waltz begins and the characters begin to dance with their respective partners, although this begins to shift and change. As they settle down, the elderly Madame Armfeldt enters with her granddaughter Fredrika, whom she tells about the summer night ‘smiling’ three times – first on the young, secondly on the fools and thirdly on the old. The first couple we see is the middle aged Fredrik Egerman, a lawyer who has recently married his second wife, 18 year old Ann. She is incredibly immature and full of herself, not fully grasping the concept of marriage. She is secretly in love with his song Henrik, who is a year older then his stepmother. Frederick laments the lack of physical love between him and his wife, as he wife tells him that it will happen ‘soon’. Henrik, who is constantly told ‘later’ is a seminary student and suffers with constant torments.

Frederick’s former lover Desiree Armfeldt is a actress who leads ‘The Glamorous Life’. Her daughter Fredrika is taken care of by her mother Madame Armfeldt whilst she tours the country in various productions. Frederick excites Anne by giving her two tickets to Desiree’s latest play, although she doesn’t realise his true intentions are to see his ex-lover once again. At the play, Anne works out the connection and storms home. Fredrik remembers his past connections and pays Desiree a visit in her dressing room. Although they are happy to see each other, there are many awkward moments as they try to remember their past life together, and Fredrick tells her all about Anne. The pair sleep together for ‘old times sake’ but are interrupted by Count Carl-Magnus, with whom Desiree has been having an affair with. They fool him into believing that Fredrick was only visiting on a professional basis and he returns to his wife Charlotte, whilst musing over their real intentions. Charlotte is blissfully aware of her husband’s deceit, but Carl-Magnus is too wound up in his own jealousy over Desiree that he fails to notice that she doesn’t care. He hatches a plot to send Charlotte round to Anne’s home to tell her what has been going on.

At the Egerman home Charlotte explains to Anne that marriage often brings a lot of pain. Desiree persuades her mother to throw a party at her country estate so she can invite Fredirk, Anne and Henrik. She sends out a personal invitation to them all, and as Charlotte tells her husband, he tells her that they will too arrive at the estate unannounced. The first act closes as everyone prepares for their ‘Weekend in the Country’.

Everyone arrives at the home of Madam Armfeldt, each with their own motives and desires. The women bicker, and Fredrick is astonished to discover Desiree’s daughter Fredrika. He and Carl Magus discuss how wonderful Desiree really is. They all sit down for dinner, and Charlotte becomes increasingly more drunk, flirting with Fredrik to annoy her husband. Everyone begins shouting and Henrik finally cracks, scolding the amoral nature of the meeting. Fredrika tells Anne that Henrik is in love with her and they run off to find him. Desiree asks Fredrick is he needs to be saved from his life. He tells her that he is still in love with her, but only as a dream. Anne finally finds Henrik who is attempting to kill himself. Anne stops him, and they kiss leading to their first sexual encounter. Madame Armfelt’s manservant Frid is sleeping with Petra, Anne’s maid and she sings of the freedom not being married can bring a person. Carl Magus challenges Fredrik to a game of Russian Roulette, in which Fredrik misfires and hits his ear. Charlotte and the Count reconcile and he gives up on his dream of Desiree. Fredrik finally confesses his love for Desiree and accepts Fredrika as his daughter. Anne and Henrik run off together, as the third smile on the old leads Armfeldt to a peaceful death.

Songs

Act I

  • Overture
  • Night Waltz
  • Piano Practice
  • Now
  • Later
  • Soon
  • The Glamorous Life
  • Remember I
  • Remember III
  • You Must Meet My Wife
  • Liasons
  • In Praise of Women
  • Every Day a Little Death
  • A Weekend in the Country
Act II
  • Entr’acte
  • Night Waltz – The Sun Won’t Set
  • Night Waltz II
  • It Would Have Been Wonderful
  • Dinner Table Scene
  • Send in the Clowns
  • Miller’s Son
  • Soon-Reprise
  • You Must Meet My Wife-Reprise
  • Liasons-Underscore
  • A Weekend in the Country-Reprise
  • Every Day a Little Death-Reprise
  • Send in the Clowns-Reprise
  • Bows
Awards

1973 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Leading Actress, Best Costume Design.

1995 Olivier Awards: Best Actress in a Musical (Judi Dench)

2010: Best Actress in a Musical (Catherine Zeta Jones)

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

 

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors is a popular musical that has achieved cult status in both the UK and USA. Billed as a ‘comedy horror musical’ the show follows the fortunes of a failing flower shop whose luck changes when a rare blood eating plant begins to take over. Alan Menken provided the rock score which drew influence from Mowtown, doo-wap and rock and roll. The original production occurred off-Broadway and the show achieved bigger commercial success in London thanks to producer Cameron Mackintosh. The show has been revived various times, and is frequently performed by amateur companies.

Little Shop of Horrors Original Playbill

Alan Menken

Howard Ashman

Howard Ashman

the 1960 film

WPA Theatre, David Geffen, and Cameron Mackintosh

Howard Ashman

Edie Cowan

Productions
Little Shop of Horrors Original Broadway

Little Shop of Horrors - Original Off Broadway

Orpheum Theatre - Opened 27 Jul 1982, closed 1 Sep 1987, 2209 performances

Cast: Lee Wilkof, Ellen Greene, Hy Anzell, Marlene Danielle, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Sheila Kay Davis, Ron Taylor.

Little Shop of Horrors Original London

Little Shop of Horrors - Original London Production

Comedy Theatre - Opened 1 Jan 1983, closed 5 Oct 1985, 803 performances

Cast: Barry James, Ellen Greene

Little Shop of Horrors Broadway Revival

Little Shop of Horrors - Broadway Revival

Virginia Theatre - Opened 2 Oct 2003, closed 22 Aug 2004, 372 performances

Cast: Hunter Foster, Kerry Butler, Rob Bartlett, Douglas Sills, Michael Leon Wooley

Little Shop of Horrors London Revival

Little Shop of Horrors - London Revival

Menier Chocolate Factory, Duke of York’s, Ambassadors - Opened 6 Nov 2006, closed 8 Sep 2007

Cast: Paul Keating, Sheridan Smith, Alistair McGowan, Mike McShane



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

Synopsis

A Voice from above warns the audience about a time when earth encountered a severe threat to its very existence. We are taken to the 1960s where a trio of street urchins, Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon sing about “The Little Shop of Horrors”. We are introduced to Seymour Krelborn, a down on his luck loser who works at a flower shop in the urban area of “Skid Row” where everyone is praying to get out of. He is in love with Audrey who works with him at Mushnik’s flower shop which is currently failing. The girls tell about a total eclipse of the sun which leaves Seymour with a strange plant “Da-Doo” which Seymour names Audrey II after his love. The plan begins to die and Seymour can’t work out why it isn’t thriving. He pricks his finger on a thorn and the plant suddenly springs to life, eating the blood. He realises that the plant requires blood to stay alive, “Grow For Me”. Audrey II grows and becomes an attraction to the shop but Seymour is forced to keep feeding it blood to keep it alive and he is a hero of the shop, “Ya Never Know”. Audrey’s evil boyfriend abuses her and she reveals that she wants to find a simpler man who can give her all she has ever wanted “Somewhere That’s Green”.

Mushnik’s shop is “Closed for Renovation” to accommodate the growing plant. Audrey’s abuse “Dentist” boyfriend Orin tells Seymour he should take the plant away to benefit himself and Mushnik realises he needs to adopt Seymour to keep him in Skid Row “Mushnik and Son”. Seymour struggles to find enough blood to keep the plant alive, and the plant is growing more demanding, yelling “Feed Me”. As Seymour sees Orin abuse Audrey he comes up with a new way to help the plant quench his thrist, feeding him to the plant who continues to grow.

Act Two opens as cutomers are being turned away from the shop “Call Back in the Morning” as it is too busy to keep up with the trade. Seymour and Audrey admit their feelings for each other, (“Suddenly Seymour”) and plan to run away and start a new life together, but Seymour thinks Audrey only likes him because of his new found fame. Musknik begins to suspect Seymour after he finds blood in the shop, and ends up being eaten by the plant. Seymour realises that the plant will continue killing and feels morally responsible. He thinks about destroying it but mistakenly thinks that it is the only thing that makes Audrey love him, (“The Meek Shall Inherit”).

Seymour is invited to go on a lecture tour of the USA and Audrey tells him she loves him for being himself and not for anything else. He decides he will destroy the plant. Audrey goes to the shop to find him but the plant talks to her, attracting her to water it, pulling her into its mouth. Seymour enters at the last moment and drags her out, but she dies in his arms. Botanists try and get cuttings of the plant and Seymour realises its plan for world domination. He throws himself into the plant to try and kill it from the inside.

The plant is projected around the country where others seeking fortune and fame feed them as more grow bigger and bigger. The Ronettes warn the audience “Don’t Feed the Plants”.

Songs

ACT I

  • Prologue
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • Skid row
  • Skid Row Playoff/Doorbell
  • Da-Doo
  • You Never Know Underscore
  • Grow for me
  • You Never Know
  • You Never know Playoff
  • Somewhere That’s Green
  • Closed for Renovation
  • Dentist!
  • Mushnik and son
  • Sudden Changes
  • Feed me Git It
  • Dentist Chair Intro
  • Now It’s Just The Gas
  • Little Shop Of Horrors (reprise)

ACT II

  • Call Back In The Morning
  • Suddenly Seymour
  • Melodramatic Chords
  • Suppertime
  • The meek shall inherit
  • Da Doo Underscore
  • Sominex/Supertime (reprise)
  • Death of Audrey
  • Somewhere That’s Green Reprise
  • Da-Doo Reprise
  • Finale-Don’t Feed The Plants
  • Little Shop Playoff
  • Seymour Playoff
  • Some Fun Now
  • Mean Green Mother From Outterspace
Awards

1982-1983: New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award.

1983: Evening Standard Award Best New Musical

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

La Cage aux Folles

La Cage aux Folles features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The musical is based on a play of the same name by Jean Poiret and focuses on a gay couple who run a nightclub on the classy French Riviera. Albin is a famous drag performer (ZaZa) and the show explores their relationship as their son gets engaged to the daughter of a conservative councillor. The show was extremely popular in in the 1980s on Broadway, although the production wasn’t as successful in London. A London revival by the Menier Chocolate Factory transferred to the West End and then Broadway in 2010.

La Cage aux Folles

Jerry Herman

Jerry Herman

Harvey Fierstein

the play by Jean Poiret

Allan Carr

Arthur Laurents

Scott Salmon

Productions
La Cage aux Folles Palace 1983

Original Broadway Production

Palace Theatre - Opened 21 Aug 1983, closed 15 Nov 1987, 1761 performances

Cast:  Gene Barry, George Hearn, John Weiner, Walter Charles

La Cage aux Folles Palladium 1986

Original London Production

London Palladium - Opened 7 May 1986, closed 1 Jan 1970, 301 performances

Cast: George Hearn, Denis Quilley, Jonathon Morris, Richard Owens, Brian Glover, Julia Sutton, Phyllida Law, Wendy Roe, Donald Waugh, Martin J. Barker

La Cage aux Folles Marquis 2004

First Broadway Revival

Marquis Theatre - Opened 9 Dec 2004, closed 26 Jun 2005

Cast: Gary Beach, Daniel Davis, Gavin Creel, Merwin Foard, Michael Mulheren

La Cage aux Folles Menier 2008

London Revival

Menier Chocolate Factory - Opened 8 Jan 2008, closed 8 Mar 2008

Cast: Philip Quast, Douglas Hodge

La Cage aux Folles Playhouse 2008

London Revival - West End Transfer

Playhouse Theatre - Opened 20 Oct 2008, closed 2 Jan 2010

Cast: Douglas Hodge, Denis Lawson, Iain Mitchell, Paula Wilcox, and Tracie Bennett. Notable replacements include Graham Norton and John Barrowman. 

La Cage aux Folles Longacre 2010

Second Broadway Revival

Longacre Theatre - Opened 18 Apr 2010, closed 1 May 2011, 433 performances

Cast: Douglas Hodge & Kelsey Grammer



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

Synopsis

Georges and Albin are a committed gay couple who own the nightclub La Cage aux Folles in St. Tropez and live in an apartment above it. Georges serves as master of ceremonies, while Albin appears as the club’s star drag queen, Zaza. Georges has a 24-year-old son named Jean-Michel from a brief fling with a woman during his youth, who he and Albin have raised. Jean-Michel arrives to tell Georges that he is engaged to marry Anne Dindon.

Georges is reluctant to support the marriage, but Jean-Michel convinces him that he is really in love (“With Anne on My Arm”). Jean-Michel then reveals that Anne’s father is the leader of the “Tradition, Family, and Morality” Party that seeks to close all of the country’s drag clubs. He has told Anne’s family that Georges is a former diplomat and arranged for them to visit for dinner. He pleads with Georges to send Albin away and ask him to arrange for his real mother Sybil to replace Albin for the weekend.

Georges reluctantly agrees to the plan and tries to find the right way to tell Albin. He is about to tell him, when Albin says they need to rush back to the club in time for his next show. Georges and Jean-Michel use his absence to clear the apartment of some of Albin’s more flamboyant décor, but Albin catches them in the act and confronts Georges. When the truth comes out, Albin does not fly into a rage but instead calmly takes the stage before singing the torch song “I Am What I Am” as a sign of his refusal to change before storming off.

Georges apologises to Albin the next day, and suggests that rather than leaving he should dress up as Jean-Michel’s straight “Uncle Al.” Though dubious, Albin agrees, and Georges teaches Albin how to be more butch (“Masculinity”). Jean-Michel is not impressed by the disguise and complains about Albin’s flamboyance, but Georges firmly reminds Jean-Michel that Albin has acted as a mother to him (“Look Over There”).

A telegram arrives from Sybil to say she will not be coming, and Albin takes it as an opportunity to dress fully in drag and pretend he is Jean-Michel’s mother. They receive Anne and her parents and head to a café, but their friend who owns the restaurant has not been told about the disguise and asks Albin to perform a song (“The Best of Times”). At the song’s climax, Albin removes his wig, revealing he is a man. 

Anne’s parents are mortified and back at the apartment they try to persuade Anne not to marry Jean-Michel, but he refuses. Jean-Michel apologises to Albin for treating him so badly. Anne’s parents prepare to leave, when photographers show up, eager to capture a picture of the morality leader with a famous drag queen. Albin and Georges convince the Dindons to allow Anne to marry Jean-Michel if they help them escape the paparazzi. They agree, and are able to escape through the club below by dressing as drag queens. Finally, Albin and Georges sing of their deep love for each other.

Songs

ACT I

  • Overture
  • We Are What We Are
  • We Are What We Are (Playoff)
  • We Are What We Are (Encore)
  • Little More Mascara, A
  • A Little More Mascara (Encore)
  • With Anne On My Arm
  • With You On My Arm (Reprise)
  • Song On The Sand
  • Prelude to La Cage Aux Folles
  • La Cage Aux Folles (Encore) after Can-Can
  • I Am What I Am (Vamp)
  • I Am What I Am

ACT II

  • Entr’acte
  • Song On The Sand (Reprise)
  • Masculinity
  • Look Over There
  • Fugue: Cocktail Counterpoint (Dishes)
  • To Chéz Jacqueline
  • The Best Of Times
  • Look Over There (Reprise)
  • Finale (Reprises)
  • Curtain Calls (Reprises)
  • Exit Music
Awards

Tony Award Winners 1984

  • Best Musical
  • Actor in a Musical – George Hern
  • Director of a Musical – Arthur Laurents
  • Book – Harvey Fierstein
  • Score – Jerry Herman
  • Costume Designer – Theoni V. Aldrege

Tony Award Nominations 1984

  • Lighting Designer – Jules Fisher
  • Choreographer – Scott Salmon
  • Actor in a Musical – Gene Barry