Author Archives: Dominic

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a hot Broadway musical that has now been successful all over the world. The show is set to have its London premiere at the Savoy Theatre in Spring 2014. The musical features music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane. This musical comedy is based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Michael Cane and Steve Martin. The original production was directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. John Lithgow and Norbert Leo Butz starred in the original Broadway production, with Lithgow eventually being replaced by Jonathan Pryce. The London production will star Robert Lindsay, Katherine Kingsley and Samantha Bond. 

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Playbill

David Yazbek

David Yazbek

Jeffrey Lane

the film "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"

Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning

Clear Channel Entertainment & MGM On Stage

Jack O'Brien

Jerry Mitchell

Productions
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - US Tour

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Broadway Production

Imperial Theatre - Opened 31 Jan 2005, closed 3 Sep 2006, 627 performances

Cast: Norbert Leo Butz – Freddy (Jan 31, 2005 – Jul 16, 2006), John Lithgow – Lawrence (Jan 31, 2005 – Jan 15, 2006), Sherie Rene Scott – Christine (Jan 31, 2005 – Feb 05, 2006), Sara Gettelfinger – Jolene (Jan 31, 2005 – Jan 15, 2006), Joanna Gleason – Muriel (Jan 31, 2005 – Apr 30, 2006)

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 100x150

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Original London Production

Savoy Theatre - Opened 10 Mar 2014, closed 29 Nov 2014

Cast: Robert Lindsay, Katherine Kingsley, Rufus Hound, Samantha Bond. 



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

Synopsis

The show opens on the glamorous French Riviera where casino culture rules. Lawrence, a con artist and smooth talking older gentleman begins to work a crowd of elderly women to try and trick them out of their money. He is the centre of attention, and Muriel is particularly keen to speak with him. His bodyguard Andre warns him that a new conman has arrived on the scene, and has been dubbed ‘The Jackal’. Lawrence fears for his position. 

Later, on a train, his watches a young fraudster at work. Freddy is trying to trick female passengers to give him money, and Lawrence decides to help him and take him under his wing. He brings Freddy to his mansion house and tells him that he too could live in luxury. Andre tries to warn Lawrence about Freddy but he doesn’t listen. Together they convince a crazy woman that he should not elope to Oklahoma and that his brother, Ruprecht is an awful man. 

Lawrence realises that he has met his match with Freddy. He challenges him to a race to secure $50,000 from women, and who whoever loses will be forced to leave town. Christine Colgate arrives on the scene and both men make her their primary target. Freddy pretends to be a cripple and asks for money so he can see a therapist, Dr Shuffhausen. She pledges the $50,000 and Freddy is delighted, although confused when Christine tells him that the Doctor is also staying in the same hotel. They go to meet the Dr and it turns out to be Lawrence. 

The second act opens as Lawrence performs painful tests on Freddy’s supposedly numb legs in front of Christine, whilst Andre and Muriel begin to fall in love. Lawrence attempts to woo Christine as the Doctor but suspects that she isn’t as rich as they had both hoped. He asks Freddy to change the bet, saying the winner will be the first to bed Christine. 

Freddy has Lawrence kidnapped by sailors and sets on bedding her by pretending her love is the only thing that will heal him. Lawrence escapes and reveals that Freddy is a fraud, and he is then captured by the sailors. Lawrence and Christine head to the train station and it seems like it is too late for Freddy to win. Christine heads to Freddy’s hotel room and the pair fall into bed. 

Later she runs to Lawrence’s mansion, claiming that Freddy has tricked her into sleeping with her and running away with the money. Lawrence feels guilty and gives her $50,000 in a suitcase. She refuses the money however and leaves. Freddy arrives saying that Christine actually knocked him out and stole the money. The realise that the money in the suitcase has also been taken, and Christine has left a note revealing that she is ‘The Jackal’. They can’t believe they have been scammed themselves, but the three of them reunite to plot how they can combine forces to scam the audience. 

Songs

Act I
• Overture
• Give Them What They Want (Broadway) – Lawrence, Andre, Ensemble
• The Only Game in Town (National Tour)
• What Was a Woman to Do – Muriel, Women
• Great Big Stuff – Freddy, Ensemble
• Chimp in a Suit – Andre
• Oklahoma? – Jolene, Lawrence, Ensemble
• All About Ruprecht – Lawrence, Ruprecht, Jolene
• What Was a Woman to Do (Reprise) – Muriel
• Here I Am – Christine, Ensemble
• Nothing is Too Wonderful to Be True – Christine, Freddy
• The Miracle (Act I Finale) – Company

Act II
• Entr’acte
• Ruffhousin’ Mit Shüffhausen – Lawrence, Freddy, Christine
• Like Zis/Like Zat – Andre, Muriel
• The More We Dance – Lawrence, Christine, Ensemble
• Love is My Legs – Freddy, Christine, Ensemble
• Love Sneaks In – Lawrence
• Like Zis/Like Zat (Reprise) – Muriel
• Son of Great Big Stuff – Freddy, Christine
• The Reckoning – Lawrence, Freddy, Andre (with spoken line by Christine)
• Dirty Rotten Number – Lawrence, Freddy
• Finale – Company

Awards

2005 Tony Awards: Best Actor in a Musical (Butz). Nominated for: Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor in a Musical (John Lithgow), Best Actress in a Musical (Sherie Rene Scott), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason), Best Choreography (Jerry Mitchell), Best Direction of a Musical (Jack O’Brien), Best Orchestrations (Harold Wheeler), Best Lighting Design of a Musical.

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name and tells the story of a Midlands shoe factory that decides to develop shoes for drag queens. The musical features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The original production opened on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in 2013 and went on to win the Tony Award for Best New Musical. The original production starred Stark Sands and Billy Porter in the lead roles, and the pair were both nominated for a Tony Award for their efforts, with Porter eventually taking home the prize. The show is earmarked to make a West End transfer, opening late 2014 or early 2015. 

 

 

Kinky Boots Playbill

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper

Harvey Fierstein

Miramax motion picture "Kinky Boots"

Geoff Deane and Tim Firth

Nederlander

Jerry Mitchell

Jerry Mitchell

Productions
Kinky Boots 100x150

Kinky Boots - Original Broadway Production

Al Hirschfeld Theatre - Opened 16 Dec 2013, closed 16 Dec 2013

Cast: Billy Porter (Lola), Stark Sands (Charlie Price), Annaleigh Ashford (Lauren), Celina Carvajal (Nicola), Marcus Neville (George), Daniel Stewart Sherman (Don), Adinah Alexander Milan, Eugene Barry-Hill, Stephen Berger. 

Kinky Boots 100x150

Kinky Boots Original London production

Adelphi Theatre - Opened 21 Aug 2015, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Killian Donnelly, Matt Henry, Amy Lennox, Jamie Baughan, Amy Ross and Michael Hobbs



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

Synopsis

The show opens as Charlie Price is being handed his father’s show factory in the Midlands of the UK. As his father has worked hard to build ‘Price and Sons’ into a family business, Charlie has little to no interest in the family trade. He decides to move to London in order to stay with his high maintenance girlfriend Nicola. As Charlie’s father dies unexpectedly, he returns home to see the family business on the edge of bankruptcy. He realises that whilst the factory makes high quality goods, they are not fashionable or appealing to a modern day buyer. Whilst out in London Charlie witnesses a street fight and comes across drag queen ‘Lola’. She explains that high heeled shoes do not successfully support the weight of a man, and that drag queens are always in need of sturdier shoes. 

Charlie returns to the factory and pitches his idea to Lauren, a factory worker with a long standing crush on him. They decide that the factory could survive if they play into the niche market. Lola and her ‘angels’ arrive at the factory to talk about the drag shoe, and stay in the Midlands to help produce them. They prepare to unleash their new brand of ‘Kinky Boots’, but Nicola is upset with Charlie for abandoning their dream and not getting married in London. 

The second act begins as factory workers become discontent about the changes in their produce. Don is the rudest of them all and doesn’t agree with Lola’s way of life. He challenges Lola to a boxing match to prove how manly he can be. If he loses he will have to be more accepting. Lola ends up being a good boxer, but to save Don the embarrassment he lets him win. Don begins to question his own prejudice. 

The workers continue to hate their new product and Lola and Charlie argue over creative decisions. Nicola dumps Charlie and walks out on their life together. Lauren is there to try and comfort Charlie and Don helps win the factory workers over by accepting him. Charlie prepares to go to Milan as Lola discovers that her judgmental father is in a nursing home and has never accepted her way of life. Lola turns up to show her support to Charlie and the new range of ‘Kinky Boots’ and the show ends as Lauren and Charlie kiss. 

Songs

Act I
Price & Son Theme – Company
The Most Beautiful Thing – Whole Company
Take What You Got – Harry, Charlie & Club Patrons
The Land of Lola – Lola & Angels
The Land of Lola (reprise) – Lola & Angels
Step One – Charlie
Sex is in the Heel – Lola, Pat, George, Angels, Lauren, Charlie & Factory Workers
The History of Wrong Guys – Lauren
I’m Not My Father’s Son – Lola & Charlie
Everybody Say Yeah – Charlie, Lola, Angels & Factory Workers

Act II
Price & Son Theme (reprise) – Company
What a Woman Wants – Lola, Pat, Don, George & the Ladies of the Factory
Charlie’s Soliloquy (reprise) – Charlie
In This Corner – Lola, Don, Pat, Trish, Angels & Factory Workers‡
The Soul of a Man – Charlie
The History of Wrong Guys (reprise) – Lauren‡
Hold Me in Your Heart – Lola
Raise You Up/Just Be – Company

Awards

Tony Award: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations, Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Choreography

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 

Once the Musical

Once the Musical is a breakaway Broadway hit musical based on the 2006 independent Irish film of the same name. The musical opened on Broadway in 2012 and received 11  Tony Award nominations, going on to win eight including Best Actor and Best Musical. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Show Album. The show features a book by Edna Walsh and the score builds on that of the film, featuring music by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The song “Falling Slowly” won an Oscar for Best Original Song. After proving to be a sell out on Broadway, the show transferred to the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End. 

Once the Musical Playbill

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová

Enda Walsh

the motion picture written and directed by John Carney

Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, Orin Wolf and The

John Tiffany

Steven Hoggett

Productions
Once

Once - Original Broadway

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre - Opened 3 Mar 2013, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Steve Kazee, Cristin Milioti, Elizabeth A. Davis, David Abeles, Will Connolly, David Patrick Kelly. 

Once the Musical London

Once - Original London

Phoenix Theatre - Opened 16 Mar 2013, closed 30 Nov 2013

Cast: Declan Bennett, Zrinka Cvitesic, Valda Aviks, Ryan Fletcher, Gareth O’Connor, Michael O’Connor, Miria Parvin, Jos Slovick, Jez Unwin, Gabriel Vick



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

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

An Irish busker falls in love with a Czech Piano player and make sweet music before he leaves her and moves away to New York. 

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


Songs

Act 1

  • “Leave” – Guy
  • “Falling Slowly” – Guy & Girl
  • “The North Strand” – Ensemble
  • “The Moon” – Andrej (as Ensemble)
  • “Ej, Pada, Pada, Rosicka” – Ensemble
  • “If You Want Me” – Guy, Girl, & Ensemble
  • “Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy” – Guy
  • “Say It to Me Now” – Guy
  • “Abandoned in Bandon” – Bank Manager (composed by Martin Lowe, Andy Taylor and Enda Walsh)
  • “Gold” – Guy & Ensemble (composed by Fergus O’Farrell)
Act II 
  • “Sleeping” – Guy
  • “When Your Mind’s Made Up” – Guy, Girl, & Ensemble
  • “The Hill” – Girl
  • “Gold (A Cappella) ” – Company
  • “It Cannot Be About That” – Ensemble
  • “The Moon” – Company
  • “Falling Slowly (Reprise)” – Guy, Girl, & Ensemble
Awards
  • 2012 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by Actor in a Leading Role, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, 
  • 2012 Drama Desk: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Director. 

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

 

Titanic the Musical

Titanic the Musical was a surprise hit on Broadway, from the pen of composer Maury Yeston and Peter Stone. Based on the disaster itself, and not the famous film, the show won 5 Tony Awards alone with the trophy for Best Musical. The original production featured an enormous cast who between them depicted the various classes of passengers aboard the ship, crew and captains. The show integrates a number of different stories together, culminating in the disaster in the second act of the show. The challenge of making the ship sink onstage proved difficult throughout previews, and many technical problems happened throughout the show. The musical opened with mainly negative reviews, but thanks to good audience word of mouth and the Rosy O’Donnell talk show, it managed to build stronger advances. After the 1997 James Cameron film was released the show received a welcome boost and managed to play into 1999, closing after 804 performances. The show has not been seen professionally in London, although ambitious amateur theatre companies often produce the show in the UK.

Titanic

Maury Yeston

Maury Yeston

Peter Stone

Dodger Endemol Theatricals, Richard S. Pechter and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Richard Jones

Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Productions
Titanic Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Lunt Fontanne - Opened 23 Apr 1997, closed 21 Mar 1999, 804 performances

Cast: Adam Alexi-Malle, Becky Ann Baker, Matthew Bennett, Judith Blazer, John Bolton, Bill Buell, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Mindy Cooper, Allan Corduner, David Costabile, Alma Cuervo, John Cunningham, Lisa Datz, David Elder, David Garrison, Jody Gelb, Kimberly Hester, Erin Hill, Robin Irwin, Brian d’Arcy James, Larry Keith, Joseph Kolinski, Charles McAteer, Theresa McCarthy, Martin Moran, Michael Mulheren, Stephanie Park, Jennifer Piech.



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

Synopsis

The Titanic’s architect, Thomas Andrews states that “In Every Age” humankind has been able to achieve something great, and he is pleased his ship will be included in history books. The crew including lookout Frederick Fleet, coal stoker Fred Barrett, and telegraph operator Harold Bride arrive and board the ship excitedly. Next, Andrews, the ship’s Captain E.J. Smith, and its owner J. Bruce Ismay board the largest moving object ever made. Finally, the passengers arrive as the ship prepares to set sail. The second and third class passengers are thrilled to be on board (“I Must Get on that Ship”), while the “First Class Roster” boasts a veritable who’s-who of high society.

On board, Ismay encourages Smith to increase the ship’s speed so they can make a surprise arrival in New York a day earlier. Smith reluctantly agrees, and Barrett, now at work in the boiler room, believes this is the wrong decision (“Barrett’s song). Second class passenger Alice Beane wishes she could experience the opulence of the first class cabins, whilst her husband Edgar is enjoying being on the ship in the first place. Charles Clarke is eloping to America with his fiancée Caroline Neville against her father’s wishes. Meanwhile in class, everyone is delighted with how much their colleagues have been able to achieve (“What a Remarkable Age This Is!”). In third class, Irishwoman Kate McGowan falls for Jim Farrell who is travelling in her group to a better life in America.

Ismay insists on the ship going faster, despite Andrews’ protestations, and Captain Smith gives in. He praises 1st Officer Murdoch’s skills as he leaves him at the ship’s helm, but Murdoch worries he is not yet ready “To Be a Captain.” Barrett meets Bride in the wireless room and asks him to send a message proposing to his girlfriend.

The following evening, Alice sneaks into the first class and joins them dancing “The Latest Rag.” Edgard is mortified and retrieves her. The brisk April night is very cold and in the lookout, Fleet worries about his decreased visibility (“No Moon”). Kate brings Jim to the top deck to reveal that she needs to get married as she is carrying the child of a married man. He immediately agrees to marry her. As an elderly couple, Isidor and Ida Strauss talk about their hopes and dreams, the first class passengers enjoy the evening’s festivities. Out of nowhere, Fleet spots an iceberg and warns Murdoch, who tries to turn the ship in time. He is too late, and the Titanic collides with the iceberg.

The ship’s crew begins to wake up the passengers and urge them to put on their life vests (“Wake Up, Wake Up”). Captain Smith reaches the bridge and sends Andrews to look at the damage to the “unsinkable” ship. Bride begins sending distress calls to local ships. Andrews is devastated to report that the damage is too much for the ship to endure, and it will sink, reminding Smith and Ismay that there are only enough lifeboats for half the passengers on board.

The first class passengers are irritated at being woken up and firmly believe that nothing is wrong (“Dressed in Your Pyjamas in the Grand Salon”), further compounded by the crew’s reassurance. Suddenly items in the dining room begin rolling to one side, signalling that the ship has started to sink. The crew begins to facilitate the evacuation, leading the first class to the lifeboats first.

Kate, Jim, and their friends are desperate to find a way out of the lower levels of the ship, and Barrett leads them up “The Staircase” to safety. Bride sadly tells Smith that the only ship in the area is the Carpathia, which will not arrive before the ship sinks. Ismay, Andrews, and Smith argue over who should accept “The Blame” for the disaster. Women and children have begun rushing “To the Lifeboats,” leaving the men behind. Murdoch tells Fleet and Barret to board the last boat to row, but as Barrett cannot row a boat, he insists that Jim take his place.

Many passengers are forced to say tearful goodbyes to their family members (“We’ll Meet Tomorrow”), and finally those that remain on board are forced to accept that they are doomed. Ida and Isidor Strauss who have remained on board, relish that until their final moments, they “Still” have each other. Andrews continues to look at the designs of the ship to find where he went wrong as the ship sinks out of sight.
The Carpathia arrives and rescues the survivors, who are devastated at their losses. They wonder what could have been done differently, but hope that their shaken dreams of a better world will come true one day.

Songs

Act I 

  • “Overture” – Orchestra
  • “In Every Age” – Andrews
  • “How Did They Build Titanic?” – Barret
  • “Fare-thee-well” – Barret, Bride & Fleet
  • “There She Is” – Barret, Bride, Fleet, Hartley, Sailor, Stoker & Stevedore
  • “The Largest Floating Object in The World” – Ismay,Andrews &Smith
  • “I Must Get On That Ship” – Ensemble
  • “The First Class Roster” – Pitman and Alice
  • “Godspeed Titanic” – Pitman & Full company
  • “Barrett’s Song” – Barret
  • “What A Remarkable Age This Is” – Etches, 1st-Class & Serving Staff
  • “To Be A Captain” – Murdoch
  • “Lady’s Maid” – The Three Kates & Ensemble
  • “The Proposal / The Night Was Alive” – Barret & Bride
  • “God Lift Me Up (Hymn)” – 1st-Class passengers
  • “Doing The Latest Rag” – Hartley, Bricoux, Taylor & Ensemble
  • “I Have Danced” – Alice & Edgar
  • “No Moon” – Ensemble
  • “Autumn” – Hartley
  • “Finale Act One” – Orchestra
Act II 
 
  • “Entr’acte” – Orchestra
  • “Wake Up, Wake Up!” – Etches, Stewards, 1st-, 2nd-, & 3rd-class passengers
  • “Dressed In Your Pyjamas In the Grand Salon” – Ensemble
  • “The Staircase” – The Three Kates & Farrell with Barret
  • “The Blame” – Ismay, Andrews & Smith
  • “To the Lifeboats” – Ensemble
  • “We’ll Meet Tomorrow” – Barret, Bride, Charles & Company
  • “To Be A Captain (Reprise)” – Etches
  • “Still” – Ida & Isidor
  • “Mr. Andrews’ Vision” – Andrews
  • “The Foundering” – Bride & Survivors
  • “Finale – In Every Age/ Godspeed, Titanic (Reprise)” – Company
Awards

1997 Tony Award: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design, Best Orchestrations.

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

The Wild Party

The Wild Party was one of two musicals of the same name to open in the 2000 Broadway season. Whereas LaChiusa’s production opened on Broadway, the Andrew Lippa version opened off Broadway. Both use the same source content of the 1928 Joseph Moncure March narrative poem. The show is told in vaudeville style comprising a small number of vignettes which come together to tell an overall story. Each thread slowly comes together and develops into an orgy followed by a tragedy. The original Broadway production had an all star cast which saw Eartha Kitt return to the stage. The music is set within the 1920s style, using the typical conventions of musical theatre. Despite the show’s lack of popular appeal it is regularly performed by regional, stock and amateur companies in both the UK and USA.

The Wild Party La Chiusa Original Playbill

Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa

Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe

the poem by Joseph Moncure March

The Joseph Papp Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival

George C. Wolfe

Joey McKneely

Productions
The Wild Party Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Virginia Theatre - Opened 13 Apr 2000, closed 11 Jun 2000, 68 performances

Cast: Toni Collette, Mandy Patinkin, Yancey Arias, Eartha Kitt, Marc Kudisch, Tonya Pinkins, Norm Lewis



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

Synopsis

In 1920’s Manhattan, Vaudevillian star Queenie plans to host a party, in part so she can humiliate her abusive lover, Burrs. She invites a long list of their eccentric friends, including ageing star Dolores, a bisexual playboy named Jackie, black boxer Eddie and his white wife Mae, Mae’s underaged siste, Nadine, Oscar and Phil D’Armano, gay brothers who are also a couple, lesbian stripper Madelaine and her morphine-addict girlfriend Sally.

Queenie’s rival Kate arrives with her boyfriend Black. Kate has her eye on Burrs and tries to seduce him before the night is through. Meanwhile, Queenie sets her sights on Black and plans to bed him before the night is through. Burrs notices Queenie’s wandering eye and becomes enraged. Amidst cocaine and cocktails, the party descends into a hedonistic orgy before Burrs confronts Queenie and Bank with a loaded gun. Queenie realises that she actually loves Burrs and they are briefly reunited, before Bank grabs the gun and shoots Burrs dead.

Songs
  • Queenie was a Blonde/Marie is Tricky/Wild Party – Queenie, Burrs, Company
  • Dry – Burrs, Jackie, Madelaine, Sally, Eddie, Mae, Nadine, Brothers D’Armano, Dolores
  • My Beautiful Blonde – Brothers D’Armano
  • Welcome to my Party – Queenie
  • Like Sally – Madelaine
  • Breezin’ Through Another Day – Jackie
  • Uptown – Brothers D’Armano
  • Eddie & Mae – Eddie, Mae
  • Gold & Goldberg – Gold, Goldberg
  • Moving Uptown – Dolores
  • Black Bottom – Queenie, Company
  • Best Friend – Queenie, Kate
  • A Little M-M-M – Brothers D’Armano
  • Tabu/Taking Care of the Ladies – Oscar, Black, Company
  • Wouldn’t It Be Nice? – Burrs
  • Lowdown-Down – Queenie
  • Gin – Burrs, Company
  • Wild – Company
  • Need – Madelaine, Company
  • Black Is a Moocher – Kate
  • People Like Us – Queenie, Black
  • After Midnight Dies – Sally
  • Golden Boy – Eddie, Brothers D’Armano
  • The Movin’ Uptown Blues – Gold, Goldberg
  • The Lights of Broadway – Nadine
  • More – Jackie
  • Love Ain’t Nothin’/Welcome to Her Party/What I Need – Kate, Burrs, Queenie
  • How Many Women in the World? – Burrs
  • When It Ends – Dolores
  • This is What It Is – Queenie
  • Finale – Queenie, Burrs, Company
Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: R & H Theatricals

 

Show Boat

Show Boat is a two act musical by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein, originally opening in 1927. The musical follows the lives of workers and passengers on a steamship in the Mississippi River named ‘Cotton Blossom’ from 1880 – 1927. The show is one of the earliest examples of a book musical and was regularly revived and performed in various versions throughout the twentieth century. Controversy now surrounds the show due to its depiction of racial issues, something that changes from production to production. Songs from the musical such as ‘Ol Man River’ and ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’ have become famous in their own right and have been covered by various pop artists in the billboard charts. A stunning Hal Prince revival was the last Broadway production.

Show Boat

Jerome Kern

Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II

the novel by Edna Ferber

Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.

Zeke Colvan

Sammy Lee

Productions
Showboat Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Ziegfeld Theatre - Opened 27 Dec 1927, closed 4 May 1929

Cast: Jules Bledsoe, Alan Campell, Bert Chapman, Laura Clairon, Jack Daley, Ted Daniels, Dorothy Denese, Charles Ellis, Robert Farley, Estelle Floyd, Thomas Gunn, Annette Harding, Annie Hart,  Aunt Jemima, J. Louis Johnson, Tana Kamp, Francis X Mahoney, Howard Marsh, Helen Morgan.

Showboat Original London

Original London Production

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Opened 3 May 1928, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Edith Day, Paul Robeson and Alberta Hunter

Showboat First Broadway Revival

First Broadway Revival

Casino Theatre - Opened 19 May 1932, closed 22 Oct 1932

Showboat Second Broadway Revival

Second Broadway Revival

Ziegfeld Theatre - Opened 5 Jan 1946, closed 4 Jan 1947

Showboat First London Revival Adelphi

First London Revival

Adelphi Theatre - Opened 1 Jul 1971, closed 1 Jan 1970

Showboat Third Broadway Revival

Third Broadway Revival

Uris Theatre - Opened 24 Apr 1983, closed 26 Jun 1983

Showboat Fourth Broadway Revival

Fourth Broadway Revival

George Gershwin Theatre - Opened 2 Oct 1994, closed 5 Jan 1997

Showboat Second London Revival

Third London Revival

Prince Edward Theatre - Opened 1 Apr 1998, closed 1 Sep 1998



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

Synopsis

The show boat “Cotton Blossom” arrives in Mississippi in 1887, and locals flock to see the new musical revue that is visiting their town. Cap’n Andy greets the crowd warmly, until his leading man, Steve, gets into a fight with Pete, an engineer who has been eyeing Steve’s leading lady and wife, Julie. As the fight is broken up, Pete vows revenge and claims he knows a secret about Julie that will destroy their lives. Cap’n Andy convinces the crowd this is all part of their act, and invites them along to the main show.

Gaylord Ravenal, a riverboat gambler, arrives at the ship and spots Cap’n Andy’s daughter Magnolia. He tries to woo her and they agree to “Make Believe” they are in love. Magnolia finds Gaylord exciting and asks one of the African-American deckhands, Joe, for his advice. He warns her that there are a lot of men like him on the Mississippi, and he and his co-workers sing that “Ol’ Man River” keeps rolling along, not stopping for anyone.

Magnolia tells Julie that she is in love with the handsome stranger, Gaylord. When Julie suggests that he may not have any money at all, Magnolia replies that she would just stop loving him. Julie explains that love is not that simple, and begins to sing “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” Joe’s wife, Queenie, hears her singing and is surprised to hear a white woman singing what a song she has only heard black women sing, but joins in nonetheless. Meanwhile, fellow actors Ellie and Frank reflect on “Life Upon the Wicked Stage.”

That night, Steve and Julie are warned that the Sheriff is on his way to arrest them, and Steve cuts Julie’s hand and drinks a drop of her blood. Pete arrives with the Sherriff and announces that Julie is mixed race, and their marriage is therefore illegal due to the prejudiced miscegenation laws of the day. Steve is able to claim that he has black blood in him and their marriage is therefore valid. Nevertheless, they can no longer continue to star on the Show Boat as they are now considered African-American. Cap’n Andy fires Pete for his betrayal and sadly bids Steve and Julie farewell. He hires Gaylord to be his new leading man, and chooses to have him star opposite Magnolia.

Gaylord and Magnolia slowly fall in love for real (“You Are Love”), much to Magnolia’s mother Parthy’s dismay. The couple decide to get married while Parthy is out of town, but she arrives just in time to interrupt the service after discovering Gaylord has killed a man, but it turns out he was found not guilty, and they manage to get married in the end.

Six years later, Gaylord and Magnolia are living in Chicago, where Gaylord is making a living as a gambler. They are still very much in love (“Why Do I Love You?”), and ten years later they have a daughter named Kim. Gaylord’s gambling has spiralled out of control, and they end up living in a filthy tenement. Finally unable to cope with getting his family into this situation, Gaylord leaves Magnolia. With a young child to feed, Magnolia seeks a job and runs into Frank and Ellie, who are working in Chicago at the Trocodero club, and they manage to get her an audition. Meanwhile, Julie is also singing at the club, but has become an alcoholic after Steve left her. She hears Magnolia auditioning for a job with the song “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and immediately recognises her voice. She decides to quit in secret so that Magnolia can take over her job.

Cap’n Andy and Parthy come to visit Magnolia and Kim in Chicago. Andy visits her at the club, where she has a disastrous performance. He manages to rally the crowd into singing along to “After the Ball,” and Magnolia manages to become a major star. Twenty years later, Andy happens to run into Gaylord and encourages him to reconnect with Magnolia. Kim, meanwhile, has become a Broadway star, and Gaylord and Magnolia watch her with pride as they decide to rekindle their long lost love.

Songs

Act I

  • “Cotton Blossom” – Stevedores and Townspeople
  • “Cap’n Andy’s Ballyhoo” – Cap’n Andy and Chorus
  • “Where’s the Mate for Me?” – Gaylord Ravenal
  • “Make Believe” – Gaylord and Magnolia
  • “Ol’ Man River” – Joe and Stevedores
  • “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” – Julie, Queenie, Joe, Magnolia and Ensemble
  • “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” – Ellie and Townswomen
  • “Till Good Luck Comes My Way” – Gaylord, Pete, Frank and Townsmen
  • “Ol’ Man River” (reprise) – Joe
  • “I Might Fall Back on You” – Ellie, Frank and Girls
  • “C’mon Folks (Queenie’s Ballyhoo”) – Queenie, Stevedores and Gals
  • “Olio Dance” – (instrumental)
  • “You Are Love” – Gaylord and Magnolia
  • Act I “Finale (Wedding Scene)” – Magnolia, Ravenal, Cap’n Andy, and Chorus

Act II

  • “At the Fair” – Sightseers, Barkers, and Dandies
  • “Dandies on Parade” – City Folk
  • “Why Do I Love You?” – Magnolia, Ravenal, Cap’n Andy, Parthy Ann Hawks and Company
  • “In Dahomey” – Jubilee Singers and Dahomey Dancers
  • “Bill” (lyrics by P. G. Wodehouse and revised by Hammerstein) – Julie
  • “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” (reprise) – Magnolia
  • “Nuns’ Processional” – Nuns
  • “Make Believe” (reprise) – Ravenal
  • “Goodbye, My Lady Love” (music and lyrics by Joseph E. Howard) – Frank and Ellie
  • “After the Ball” (from A Trip to Chinatown; music and lyrics by Charles K. Harris) – Magnolia and Ensemble
  • “Ol’ Man River” (reprise) – Joe
  • “Hey, Feller” – Jubilee Singers and Queenie
  • “You Are Love” (reprise) – Gaylord
  • “Why Do I Love You?” (reprise) – Kim and Flappers
  • “Finale Ultimo (Ol’ Man River)” – Joe and Chorus
Awards

1995 Tony Awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Costume Design, Best Director, Best Choreography.

 

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden is a musical based on the popular children’s book of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Set in Yorkshire at the start of the 20th Century, the story has become a timeless classic. After the original Broadway production the show enjoyed success in both Australia and the UK, where it was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Rebecca Luker and Mandy Patinkin were in the original Broadway cast and feature on the soundtrack. Songs such as ‘Lilly’s Eyes’ have become Broadway standards and are regularly performed out of context.

The Secret Garden Original Playbill

Lily Simon

Marsha Norman

Marsha Norman

the children's book by Frances Hodgson

Heidi Landesman, Rick Steiner, Frederic H. Mayerson, Elizabeth Williams, Jujamcyn Theaters, TV Asahi and Dodger Theatricals

Susan H. Schulman

Michael Lichtefeld

Productions
The Secret Garden Broadway

Original Broadway Production

St. James Theatre - Opened 25 Apr 1991, closed 3 Jan 1993, 709 performances

Cast: John Babcock, Michael DeVries, Teresa De Zarn, Frank Di Pasquale, Daisy Eagan, Alison Fraser, Betsy Friday, Paul Jackel, Nancy Johnston, Rebecca Judd, Rebecca Luker, Mandy Patinkin

The Secret Garden London

Original London Production

Aldwych Theatre - Opened 1 Feb 2001, closed 1 Jun 2001



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

Synopsis

Mary Lennox is a 10 year-old English girl, who was born and raised in India, is shipped back to her relatives in Yorkshire when her parents die of cholera. She arrives at a large manor house owned by her uncle, Archibald Craven. His own wife, Lily, died many years ago, and he is afflicted with a hunchback. He has become a recluse while his brother Neville manages the estate, which remains haunted by ghosts including Lily and Mary’s parents.

Mary is greeted by the solemn housekeeper Mrs. Medlock and begins her new life at “The House Upon the Hill.” She remains frightened and alone on her first night in the creaking manor (“I Heard Someone Crying”). The next morning, she befriends a chambermaid named Martha, who encourages Mary to explore the grounds of the estate. She finds the garden which is designed by a maze, and meets Martha’s brother Dickon and the head gardener, Ben. Ben tells Mary about a secret garden that Archibald has ordered to remain locked as it reminds him of Lily. Dickon teaches her to talk to the animals, and she follows a robin to the hiding place of the secret garden’s key (“Show Me the Key”).

Archibald finally agrees to meet Mary, and he is taken aback when she asks for “A Bit of Earth” to plant a new garden. She immediately reminds him of Lily, who designed the large garden on the grounds. Neville also notes she has “Lily’s Eyes,” and reflects on his unspoken love for her. That night, Mary is again awoken by crying and follows the noise to find Colin, her cousin, who has been kept in bed since his birth because his father was concerned he too would grow a hunchback. They talk of his dream of “A Round-Shouldered-Man” who reads him stories, but Mrs. Medlock discovers them and tells Mary she is never to see Colin again. Frightened, Mary runs out of the house in the midst of a storm and happens upon the door to the secret garden.

Mary hopes to rebuild the garden so she has a place to explore, and dreams of growing up well (“The Girl I Mean to Be”). Archibald tells Neville that he has dreamed of Mary and Lily together in the garden. Neville hopes to be Archibald’s heir, and as a result continues to advise that Colin remain bedridden. He encourages Archibald to head to mainland Europe for a while and leave him in charge. Archibald agrees, and reads a story to his beloved Colin before leaving (“Race You to the Top of the Morning”).

The secret garden has fallen in disrepair after not being used for a decade, and Mary asks Dickon to help her grow it again. After weeks of hard work, the garden is in a much better state, and Mary encourages a reluctant Colin to leave the house in a wheelchair to see it. Neville is furious and tells Mary he will send her to a boarding school. She is devastated at the prospect of leaving the house, but Martha encourages her to “Hold On.” Mary decides to write a letter to Archibald to ask him to return (“Letter Song”).

On receiving Mary’s letter, Archibald feels lost and helpless (“Where in the World”), but Lily’s ghost arrives to convince him to go back to England (“How Could I Ever Know”). He does, and upon his return, he finds Colin up and running through the secret garden. He recognises the transformative power Mary has had on his home and adopts her as his own child.

Songs

Act I 

  • Opening — Lily, Fakir, Company
  • There’s a Girl — Company
  • The House Upon the Hill — Company
  • I Heard Someone Crying — Lily, Mary. Archibald
  • If I Had A Fine White Horse — Martha
  • A Girl in the Valley — Archibald, Lily
  • It’s a Maze — Mary, Ben, Dickon
  • Winter’s on the Wing — Dickon
  • Show Me the Key — Mary, Dickon
  • A Bit of Earth — Archibald, Mary
  • Storm I — Company
  • Lily’s Eyes — Archibald, Neville
  • Storm II — Mary, Company
  • Round-Shouldered Man — Colin
  • Final Storm — Mary, Company

Act II

  • The Girl I Mean to Be — Mary
  • Quartet — Archibald, Lily, Neville, Rose
  • Race You to the Top of the Morning — Archibald
  • Wick — Dickon with Mary
  • Come to My Garden — Lily
  • Lift Me Up — Colin
  • Come Spirit, Come Charm — Mary, Dickon, Martha, Lily, Fakir, Company
  • A Bit of Earth (Reprise) — Lily, Rose, Albert
  • Disappear — Neville
  • Hold On — Martha
  • Letter Song — Archibald, Mary, Martha
  • Where in the World — Archibald
  • How Could I Ever Know — Archibald, Lily
  • Finale — Company
Awards

1991 Tony Awards: Best Book, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design

 

Cinderella

Rodgers and Hammerstien’s musical take on the classic fairy tale stated life as a made for TV movie. One of their first shows to be created not directly for the stage, Cinderella was a huge hit and has been remade a further twice after the original Julie Andrews starred in the original 1957 film, which was updated 40 years later to include Bernadette Peters and Whitney Houston. Many of the songs became hits, including ‘In My Own Little Corner’ and ‘Stepsister’s Lament’. The show has enjoyed success in many forms, and in the UK many of the songs were used in more pantomime versions traditional at Christmas time in regional theatres. A brand new Broadway production is scheduled to open in 2013 at the Broadway Theatre starring Laura Osnes in the title role.

Cinderella Original TV Movie Poster

Richard Rodgers

Oscar Hammerstein II

Douglas Carter Beane

the fairy tale by Charles Perrault

Ralph Nelson

Jonathan Lucas

Productions

Original Television Production

CBS - Opened 31 Mar 1957, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Julie Andrews as Cinderella, Jon Cypher as The Prince, Howard Lindsay as The King, Dorothy Stickney as The Queen, Edith Adams as the Fairy Godmother, Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley as stepsisters Portia and Joy, Ilka Chase as the Stepmother.

Second Television Production

CBS - Opened 24 Feb 1965, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Ginger Rogers, Walter Pidgeon, Celeste Holm, Jo Van Fleet, Pat Carroll, Barbara Ruick, Stuart Damon, Lesley Ann Warren.

Third Television Production

ABC - Opened 2 Nov 1997, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Brandy, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, Paolo Montalbán, Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber

Cinderella Broadway 2013

Original Broadway Production

Broadway Theatre - Opened 24 Feb 2013, closed 29 Sep 2013

Cast: Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana and Victoria Clark



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

Synopsis

In a kingdom far, far away, “The Prince is Giving a Ball” to celebrate his 21st birthday. All of the eligible girls in the land are thrilled at the prospect of being his bride. Cinderella’s father has died, leaving her in the hands of her evil stepmother who treats her as a servant, ordering her to cook, clean, and look after her two wicked stepsisters.

Cinderella dreams of a better life for herself, though she knows the idea is far-fetched (“In My Own Little Corner”). Meanwhile, the King and Queen, as well as their servants, are preparing for the ball. The Prince is a bit anxious about finding a bride, but the King reassures him. Cinderella’s stepsisters get ready for the ball, each confident she will win the Prince over. They laugh at Cinderella’s dream of attending, and set off without her.

Cinderella is surprised by the arrival of her Fairy Godmother, who transforms her dress into a beautiful ball gown, a pumpkin into a carriage, and mice into footmen (“Impossible; It’s Possible”). She also gives Cinderella beautiful glass slippers, but warns her god-daughter that she must leave the ball by midnight or the magic will wear off.

Arriving at the ball at 11:30, Cinderella immediately attracts the attention of everyone in the palace, including the Prince, who has been bored by all of the girls so far. He immediately asks her to dance and they fall in love at first sight (“Ten Minutes Ago”). Not recognising Cinderella, the stepsisters are extremely jealous that the prince would fall in love with someone they don’t even know (“Stepsisters’ Lament”). The Prince confesses his love for Cinderella (“Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”) before they kiss, just as the clock strikes midnight. Cinderella dashes off, leaving one glass slipper behind.

The next day, the stepsisters regale Cinderella with stories of the ball (“When You’re Driving Through the Moonlight”). Despite being unable to snag the Prince, both agree it was “A Lovely Night.” The Prince begins a quest to find the mysterious girl he met the night before. His servants help with “The Search” by trying the slipper on every girl in the kingdom. Cinderella heads to the Palace’s garden to try to catch a glimpse of the Prince. The palace ministers arrive at Cinderella’s house and find the slipper does not fit either of her stepsisters. The court returns to the palace empty-handed, before Cinderella is discovered in the garden and arrested. With a little help from the Fairy Godmother, the Prince decides to try the slipper on Cinderella and immediately recognises her as his love. They get married and live happily ever after.

Songs

Act I 

  • “Overture” (instrumental)
  • “The Prince Is Giving a Ball” (Herald and Chorus)
  • “Cinderella March” (instrumental)
  • “In My Own Little Corner” (Cinderella)
  • “The Prince Is Giving a Ball” (Reprise) (Chorus)
  • “Your Majesties” (Royal Dressing Room Scene) (King, Queen, Chef, Steward)
  • “In My Own Little Corner” (Reprise) (Cinderella)
  • “Impossible; It’s Possible” (Cinderella and Fairy Godmother)

Act II 

  • Gavotte” (instrumental)
  • “Ten Minutes Ago I Saw You” (Prince and Cinderella)
  • “Stepsisters’ Lament” (Stepsisters)
  • “Waltz for a Ball” (instrumental and Chorus)
  • “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” (Prince and Cinderella)
  • “Never In a Thousand Years” (eventually omitted from the production)

Act III

  • “When You’re Driving Through the Moonlight” (Cinderella, Stepmother, Stepsisters)
  • “A Lovely Night” (Cinderella, Stepmother, Stepsisters)
  • “The Search” (instrumental)
  • “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” (reprise) (Prince)
  • “Wedding” (instrumental)
  • “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” (reprise) (Chorus)
Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: R & H Theatricals

 

Copacabana

Barry Manilow’s Copacabana brings the Grammy Award winning song to life on stage. After starting life as a made for TV movie, the show became a hit in London’s West End where it played for over a year and enjoyed numerous UK tours. The show originally opened in Plymouth and appealed to fans of Manilow, becoming one of the very first jukebox musicals. With an original story patched around Manilow songs, this was a fun filled, action packed musical full of feathers and sequins. The show failed to appear on Broadway but has enjoyed life on the US amateur theatre scene, where many companies are bought in to the colour and glamour of the Havana night club scene. The infamous story of Tony and Lola the show girl is one that audiences of all ages will connect with.

Copacabana

Barry Manilow

Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman

Barry Manilow, Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman

Made-for-TV movie of the same title

Productions

Original London Production

Prince of Wales Theatre - Opened 23 Jun 1994, closed 9 Sep 1996

Cast: Gary Wilmot as Tony/Stephen and Nicola Dawn as Lola.



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

Synopsis

The musical opens with a dream sequence showing Stephen at the front of an elegant 1940s nightclub. We are in the Copacabana of his mind. As the opening number finishes we find ourselves in a New York apartment in the present day and Stephen snaps back into reality. Samantha, his wife, reminds him that her parents are visiting as she wishes he spent as much time looking at her as he does his keyboard and drum machine.

His song comes to life and we meet a new girl at the Copa in 1947, fresh off the train from Grand Central Station. As Lola enters the bar she meets Tony, a songwriter and performer at the bar who dances with her and the ensemble of eccentric chorus boys. Lola mangaes to secure an audition with the boss Sam Silver the next day. Tony watches Lola leave and decides that he is in love with her.

The next day Tony and Lola go through many rounds of auditions. Lola is disappointed with the results so far and her friend Gladys gives her some helpful advice. Tony offers to play for Lola’s audition, and as Sam Shepherd stops her she thinks she has blown it. He asks her to dance more aggressively and she becomes bolder with her moves. She gets the job and Tony finds himself back in the show. Lola begins to flirt with Tony and seeks his advice on writing a song. As he sings to her they passionately embrace.

A diamond wearing gangster Rico Castelli and his Latina girlfriend arrive at the club and Rico asks Lola for a drink after she performs. He tries to poach her for his club ‘The Tropicana in Cuba. The couples dance a Bolero, as Rico drags Lola away to his bedroom. Rico’s girlfriend Conchita is not pleased at how things are progressing, and is insulted when Rico tells her that he is taking her out of her main number in favour of Lola. She becomes jealous and goes to talk to Lola.

Back in New York Tony hears about Lola going to Havana with Rico and knows something is wrong. As Gladys tells him about the violence inflicted on the work force, he knows he has to save her from an awful fate. Sam realises that Tony and Lola are both in grave danger.

In Havana Conchita is trying to make Lola pay for stealing her man, but Lola is unaware of what has happened. As Rico arrives and dismisses Conchita he tells Lola that she will have to be happy with the position she is in. Lola is scared on the bed and we see Stephen interacting with her in a quasi-dream ballet.

Tony seeks Conchita’s help to rescue Lola. During Lola’s Pirate number he swings onstage dressed as a character, and the act is sent into meltdown. Rico jumps onto the stage and points the gun at Lola’s head, quickly turning it onto Tony. We hear a single shot, expecting one of their bodies to crumble to the ground, but instead Rico topples to the floor, biting the dust. Conchita enters with a gun and kneels over Rico’s carcass. As they prepare to leave again for New York, Lola and Tony realise they are in love. Everyone reunites for a grand reprise of the title number with the Copa girls and boys.

The modern day Stephen enters with his drum machine, pulling a feather from his pocket. He hears the montage of voices from his new creation, and as Samantha enters we realise she looks exactly like Lola. Stephen is confused and he realises that everything he wants is right in front of his eyes. He realises he is happy with Samantha, but will always remember his night of passion at the Copacabana.

Songs

Act I

“Overture” – Orchestra
“Copa Opening” – Stephen, Company
“Just Arrived” – Lola, Women
“Dancing Fool” -Tony, Copa Boys
“Sweet Heaven” – Tony, Copa Girls and Boys
“Audition Montage” – Male Auditioner, Lola, Tony, Jingle Singers
“Copa Girl” – Gladys
“Man Wanted” – Lola
“Who Needs To Dream” – Tony, Copa Girls
“I Gotta Be Bad” – Lola, Copa Girls
“Bolero D’Amore” – Rico, Chorus

Act II

“Entr’acte” – Orchestra
“Havana/Caramba” – Conchita, Tropicana Dancers
“Who Am I Kidding” – Sam, Willie, McManus, Gladys, Two Showgirls
“This Can’t Be Real” – Lola, Stephen
“El Bravo” – Lola, Tropicana Dancers
“Sweet Heaven 2″ – Tony, Lola, Copa Girls and Boys
“This Can’t Be Real (Reprise)” – Tony
“Finale Act Two” – Stephen, Company
“Copacabana Finale” – Stephen, Company

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

Peter Pan

Peter Pan is one of many musical adaptations of the famous story by JM Barrie. Despite a version by Leonard Bernstein, it is the Julie Styne and Carolyn Leigh version that has stood the test of time, thanks in part to the original production by Jerome Robbins and the TV film made of the show. Originally the role of Peter Pan was synonymous with Mary Martin, but in recent years Cathy Rigby has toured endlessly with the show. The musical is frequently presented all around America and is a favourite during the holiday season. is one of many musical adaptations of the famous story by JM Barrie. Despite a version by Leonard Bernstein, it is the Julie Styne and Carolyn Leigh version that has stood the test of time, thanks in part to the original production by Jerome Robbins and the TV film made of the show. Originally the role of Peter Pan was synonymous with Mary Martin, but in recent years Cathy Rigby has toured endlessly with the show. The musical is frequently presented all around America and is a favourite during the holiday season.

Peter Pan

Jule Styne

Carolyn Leigh

J M Barrie

The play of the same title by J M Barrie

Richard Halliday

Jerome Robbins

Jerome Robbins

Productions
Peter Pan Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Winter Garden Theatre - Opened 20 Oct 1954, closed 26 Feb 1955

Cast: Mary Martin, Cyril Ritchard, Robert Banas, David Bean, Sally Brophy, William Burke, Linda Dangcil, Darryl Duran, Chester Fisher, Margalo Gillmore, Heller Halliday, Robert Harrington.

Peter Pan 1st Broadway Revival

First Broadway Production

Lunt Fontanne - Opened 6 Sep 1979, closed 4 Jan 1981

Peter Pan 2nd Broadway Revival

Second Broadway Production

Lunt Fontanne - Opened 13 Dec 1990, closed 20 Jan 1991

Peter Pan 3rd Broadway Revival

Third Broadway Production

Marquis - Opened 23 Nov 1998, closed 3 Jan 1999

Peter Pan 4th Broadway Revival

Fourth Broadway Production

George Gershwin - Opened 7 Apr 1999, closed 29 Aug 1999



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

Synopsis

The first act begins in the nursery of the Darling family in London. Mr and Mrs Darling are preparing to leave for an evening out as their children, Wendy, John and Michael are playing together loudly. Their nurse Nanna, who is a dog, watches over them after previously seeing a boy at their window, flying out of sight. She managed to catch his shadow and put it away in a drawer for later use. Mr Darling is in a bad mood and makes Nana sleep outside, as Mrs Darling sings the children a lullaby (“Tender Shepherd”).

As the children fall asleep and their parents leave, Tinkerbell, a fairy enters and looks around the room. Peter Pan flies through the window looking for his shadow. He finds it but cannot managed to reattach it so begins to cry. Wendy awakes and sews his shadow back onto him. He is delighted and sings in confidence “I’ve Gotta Crow”. Peter tells Wendy all about where he lives and Tinkerbell gets jealous of Wendy. He explains about “Never Never Land” and tells her that he lives with the lost boys who refuse to grow up and have no mothers. Wendy wakes up her brothers and they agree to travel there together. Peter teaches them all how to fly and they fly through the window off into the night (“I’m Flying”).

In Never Never Land we are introduced to the Lost Boys who are hiding from Captain Hook who is trying to track down Peter and kill him. He has lost his hand after Pan fed it to a crocodile, and is paranoid the crocodile is coming back for more. As they see Peter in the sky Tinkerbell tells them to shoot down the ‘Wendy Bird’ flying next to them. As they shoot her down Peter is furious, but she is not dead, only unconscious. The boys are sorry and build a house around her, hoping that she will become their mother (“Wendy”). Captain Hook sees her and plans to kidnap Wendy and the boys.

As the discover the island they get into many adventures, yelling their thoughts on not wanting to ever grow old, “I Won’t Grow Up”. Peter rescues the Indian Tiger Lilly and her Indian tribe are grateful, dancing the “Ugg-a-Wugg” for them. The boys become homesick and Wendy sings them “Distant Melody” to get them to sleep. She tells all of the Lost Boys that her mother will adopt them back in London.

Hook and his pirates enter and kidnap all of the children, leaving Peter alone. Hook poisons his medicine and leaves it for him to drink when he awakes. Just in time Tinkerbell drinks his medicine to stop him dying and falls down dead. Peter encourages the audience to clap their hands to bring her back to life. They set off to free Wendy and the Lost Boys.

Hook sings a “Waltz” to celebrate him achievements, convinced his plan has worked. Peter arrives with a tick-tock clock that scares him and they have a fight, defeating all of the Pirates and leaving Hook to the crocodile. Everyone is excited as Peter sings a reprise of “I’ve Gotta Crow”. They all set sail back to London.

Mrs Darling is looking out of the window hoping her children will return. As she sings “Tender Shepherd” they arrive and they are both delighted. The Darling’s are happy and agree to adopt all of the Lost Boys. Wendy prays for Peter to return one day.

Years pass and Peter returns to the nursery to find a much older Wendy and her daughter. He asks her to come to Never Land but she tells him she is too grown up. Her daughter Jane wakes up and asks Peter why he is crying. He explains who he is, just as he did to Wendy and she flies off to Never Land for an adventure.

Songs
  • Tender Shepherd
  • I’ve Gotta Crow
  • Never Never Land
  • I’m Flying
  • Pirate Dance
  • Wendy
  • I Won’t Grow Up
  • Ugg-A-Wugg
  • Distant Melody
  • Hook’s Waltz
  • I’ve Gotta Crow (Reprise)
  • Tender Shepherd (Reprise)
  • I Will Grow Up
  • Never Never Land (Reprise)
Awards

1955 Tony Awards: Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, Best Stage Technician

 

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

On the Town

On the Town is a musical and film featuring music by Leonard Bernstein (West Side StoryWonderful Town) and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The musical was based on an idea by Jerome Robbins and puts many of his famous dances to music. Songs from the show have since become standards such as “New York, New York”, ” Lonely Town” and “I Can Cook Too”. The show follows a group of sailors who are on 24 hour leave and aim to find themselves an amazing woman. The show was moderately popular, but it was the film version, starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra that is most remembered by audiences. The score is often remembered over the book or dances, and is often performed by opera companies such as the English National Opera.

On the Town 1971 Playbill

Leonard Bernstein

Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Oliver Smith and Paul Feigay

George Abbott

Jerome Robbins

Productions
On the Town Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Adelphi Theatre - Opened 28 Dec 1944, closed 2 Feb 1946, 462 performances

Cast: John Battles, Cris Alexander, Nancy Walker, Sono Osato, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green (Ozzie)

On the Town Original London

Original London Production

Prince of Wales Theatre - Opened 30 May 1963, closed 1 Jan 1970, 62 performances

On the Town Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Imperial Theatre - Opened 31 Mar 1971, closed 1 Jan 1972

Cast: Donna McKechnie, Phyllis Newman, and Bernadette Peters

On the Town London Revival

London Revival

London Coliseum - Opened 20 Apr 2007, closed 25 May 2007



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

Synopsis

In the Brooklyn navy yard, three soldiers stumble off a ship at dawn ready to take on “New York, New York.” Ozzie is out to get as many girls as possible, while Gabey wants a real romance, and Chip is more interested in seeing tourist attractions. On their way into Manhattan, they see a poster of Miss Turnstiles who has been chosen to appear in subway stations for the month. Her real name is Ivy Smith, and she studies ballet at Carnegie Hall, painting at the Museum of Modern Art, while also loving the city’s vibrant club scene. They agree they’ll try to track her down over the course of the day and split up to look for her based on the information they find on the poster, which they’ve torn down for reference. An old lady spots them vandalising the station and reports the to a police officer, who begins to pursue them.

A female cab driver named Hildy takes a shining to Chip, who remains naïve of her intentions (“Come Up to My Place”). Ozzie arrives at the Museum of Natural History, even though he should be looking for Ivy at the Museum of Modern Art. A young anthropologist, Claire finds him attractive, particularly given his resemblance to an ancient ancestor of man she is studying. When they accidentally destroy a dinosaur skeleton, they are forced to flee the museum with the police in hot pursuit.

Gabey heads to Carnegie Hall, but on his own he begins to find that New York is a “Lonely Town.” Ivy is mid-lesson with Madam Dilly, but Gabey manages to sneak in and arrange a date with her later on in Times Square. Gabey is thrilled that he managed to snag a date with Ivy first (“Lucky to Be Happy”).

Claire and Ozzie get “Carried Away” in her uptown apartment, while Hildy is still trying to seduce Chip. Gabey is in Times Square waiting for Ivy when the other boys arrive with their respective dates. Unfortunately Madam Dilly has convinced Ivy she should work instead of fraternising with a sailor, so she does not arrive to meet Gabey. Instead she heads to work on Coney Island.

The group heads to a number of clubs in an attempt to cheer up Gabey, but they are unsuccessful. The sailors are sad that their 24 hour leave is drawing to a close, but they decide to visit Coney Island before they leave. Gabey finds Ivy dancing in a club, and is pleased to be reunited with her. The police arrive to arrest them for their various misdeeds, but the whole misunderstanding is explained and the boys are set free. They say goodbye to their girls and head back to their ship, where a new group of sailors get off for their own 24 hour adventure.

Songs

Act I

  • I Feel Like I’m Not Out of Bed Yet—Workmen
  • New York, New York—Ozzie, Chip and Gabey
  • Miss Turnstiles Ballet—Announcer, Contestants, Ivy Smith and Manhattanites
  • Gabey’s Comin’ (cut in original production, restored in some revivals)—Gabey, Ozzie, Chip and Girls
  • Come Up to My Place—Hildy Esterhazy and Chip
  • Carried Away—Claire DeLoone and Ozzie
  • Lonely Town/Pas de deux—Gabey and Dance Ensemble
  • Carnegie Hall Pavane (Do-Do-Re-Do)—Madam Dilly, Ivy and Women of Carnegie Hall
  • Lucky to Be Me—Gabey and Full Company
  • I Understand—Pitkin W. Bridgework
  • Carried Away (Reprise)-Ozzie and Claire
  • I Can Cook Too—Hildy Esterhazy
  • Times Square Ballet—Company

Act II 

  • Entr’acte—Orchestra
  • So Long, Baby—Diamond Eddie’s Girls
  • I Wish I Was Dead (In English & Spanish)—Diana Dream, Senorita Dolores Dolores
  • Ya Got Me—Hildy, Claire, Ozzie, and Chip
  • Pitkin’s Song (I Understand Reprise)—Pitkin
  • Subway Ride/Imaginary Coney Island—Gabey, Ivy and Dance Ensemble
  • Some Other Time—Claire, Hildy, Ozzie and Chip
  • The Real Coney Island—Rajah Bimmy
  • Finale—Full Company
Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

Candide

Candide is billed as an opera/operetta and has been revised in a wide variety of forms over the past fifty years. Although it began life as a play with music, it quickly became a favourite project of composer Leonard Bernstein who wrote the entire score. The Overture has become widely recognised as one of the most famous from its genre and is regularly performed by orchestras all over the world. The book has been adapted on various occassions for different forms of performance, and is now regularly performed in a concert format, complete with narration to make it as clear as possible. The most successful stage production was the Royal National Theatre production that involved director John Caird. Songs such as ‘Glitter and Be Gay’ and ‘Make Your Garden Grow’ have become standards and are performed regularly.

Candide Original Playbill

Leonard Bernstein

Richard Wilbur, John La Touche, Dorothy Parker

Lillian Hellman

the novella by Voltaire

Ethel Linder Reiner and Lester Osterman, Jr.

Tyrone Guthrie

Wallace Seibert and Anna Sokolow

Productions

Original Broadway Production

Martin Beck Theatre - Opened 1 Dec 1956, closed 2 Feb 1957, 73 performances

Cast: Robert Rounseville as Candide, Barbara Cook as Cunégonde, Max Adrian as Dr. Pangloss, and Irra Petina as Old Lady.

Original London Production

The Saville Theatre - Opened 30 Apr 1959, closed 1 Jan 1970, 60 performances

First Broadway Revival

Broadway Theatre - Opened 10 Mar 1974, closed 4 Jan 1976

Cast: Mark Baker, Maureen Brennan, Sam Freed, Lewis J. Stadlen and June Gable

Second Broadway Revival

George Gershwin Theatre - Opened 29 Apr 1997, closed 27 Jul 1997

London Revival

National Theatre - Opened 1 Jan 1998, closed 1 Jan 1970



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

Synopsis

In Westphalia, Voltaire begins to tell the story of Candide (“Westphalia Chorale”). Candide is the illegitimate nephew of Baron Thunder-ten-Tronk and lives in the castle, where he is disliked by the Baroness and her son Maximilian. He loves her beautiful daughter Cunegonde. Maximilian meanwhile is involved with the local prostitute, Paquette, and all four feel that “Life is Happiness Indeed.” Their teacher Dr. Pangloss instructs them on philosophy and assures them they have “The Best of All Possible Worlds.” Candide and Cunegonde are deeply in love and imagine what life would be like if they got marred (“Oh, Happy We”).

The Baron is furious at the budding romance between Candide and Cunegonde, because Candide is of a lower class, so the Baron banishes him to exile. Candide takes his fate well and believes he will find his love again (“It Must Be So”). He joins the Bulgar Army, but upon learning they plan to attach Westphalia, he unsuccessfully tries to escape. The Baron and his family await the impending attack on “Westphalia,” during which the Baroness and Cunegonde killed. Candide arrives and tries to find his beloved (“Candide’s Lament”).

Now penniless, Candide runs into Dr. Pangloss, who retains his trademark optimism. They are hired on a merchant ship which sets sail for Lisbon. Upon arrival, a volcano erupts, killing thousands. Candide and Pangloss are blamed for the eruption, and accused of heresy by the Grand Inquisitor. Pangloss is hanged while Candide is tortured, but he manages to escape and flees to Paris.

In Paris, a beautiful woman has attracted the attention of the city, and she is revealed to be Cunegonde, who managed to escape the attack on Westphalia. While in France, she has enjoyed learning to “Glitter and Be Gay.” Candide manages to find her and is elated (“You Were Dead, You Know”). The happy reunion does not last, however, as Candide accidentally kills the Archbishop and the wealthy Don Issachar, who have both been courting Cunegonde. With Cunegonde’s friend, the Old Lady, in tow, they flee to Spain.

Cunegonde’s many jewels are stolen in Spain, and the Old Lady sings for their supper (“I Am Easily Assimilated”). The French police have followed them to Spain, hoping to arrest Candide for murder. After hiring a valet named Cacambo, Candide decides to fight for the Jesuits in Latin America, and the three set sail for the New World (“Quartet Finale”).

In Uruguay, they are reunited with Maximillian and Paquette, who have also risen from the dead and disguised themselves as slave girls. The governor of the city falls in love with Maximilian, believing he is a woman (“My Love”), but when he realises he is a man, he falls in love with his sister Cunegonde. The Old Lady encourages Cunegonde to marry the governor as they will be better off (“We Are Women”). Candide reveals his intention to marry Cunegonde to Maximilian, who challenges him to a duel, and Candide flees after stabbing Maximilian to death.

Cunegonde has a comfortable life after marrying the governor, but finds life too “Quiet.” Candide and Cacambo make their way through the jungle when the discover the legendary city of Eldorado, where they collect a fortune. Candide sends it to the governor to buy Cunegonde’s freedom, along with a message for her to meet him in Italy.

Candide buys a ship to sail to Italy, but when it sinks he is rescued by Pangloss, who has also come back to life and is sailing by on a raft. They arrive in Venice to find that Maximilian too has returned from the dead and is the Police Chief, working in cahoots with a band of criminals. Cunegonde and the Old Lady are forced to work in the local casino (“What’s the Use?”).

They all attempt a new start when Candide leads them all to move to a farm in Westphalia, worrying that his life will amount to “Nothing More Than This.” After spending several days contemplating in silence, he decides to marry Cunegonde (“Make Our Garden Grow”).

Songs

Act I 

  • Overture
  • Westphalia Chorale
  • Life Is Happiness Indeed
  • The Best of All Possible Worlds
  • Universal Good
  • Oh, Happy We
  • It Must Be So (Candide’s Meditation)
  • Westphalia
  • Battle Music
  • Candide’s Lament
  • Dear Boy
  • Auto-da-fé (What a day)
  • Candide Begins His Travels; It Must Be Me (2nd Meditation)
  • The Paris Waltz
  • Glitter and Be Gay
  • You Were Dead, You Know
  • I Am Easily Assimilated (Old Lady’s Tango)
  • Quartet Finale

Act II 

  • Entr’acte
  • Universal Good
  • My Love
  • We Are Women
  • The Pilgrim’s Procession – Alleluia
  • Quiet
  • Introduction To Eldorado
  • The Ballad Of Eldorado
  • Words, Words, Words
  • Bon Voyage
  • The Kings’ Barcarolle
  • Money, Money, Money
  • What’s the Use?
  • The Venice Gavotte
  • Nothing More Than This
  • Universal Good
  • Make Our Garden Grow
Awards

1957 Tony Awards: Nominated for Best Musical, Best Performance, Best Musical Director, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design

1974 Tony Awards: Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design

1997 Tony Awards: Best Costume Design

2000 Olivier Awards: Best Musical Revival, Best Actor (Simon Russell Beale)

 

Hans Christian Anderson

Hans Anderson, or Hans Christian Anderson (the film’s name) is a two act musical that features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The film was extremely successful after being released in 1952, starring Danny Kaye in the title role. The show follows the life of storyteller Hans Anderson, whose children’s stories such as ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘The Ugly Duckling’ have become world famous. The stage production opened in London at the London Palladium in 1974 and starred Tommy Steele in one of his many productions at this famous venue. The show was revived later in 1974. The score by Frank Loesser was extended to fit the requirements of a stage audience and included a number of new songs. Rumours of a modern day film adaptation have been floating around the internet for many years.

Hans Christian Anderson

Frank Loesser

Frank Loesser

Moss Hart, Ben Hecht

the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and the 1952 film

Productions
Hans Anderson Original London

Original London Production

London Palladium - Opened 17 Dec 1974, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Tommy Steele, Colette Gleeson, Milo O’Shea, Bob Todd and Lila Kaye

Hans Anderson London Revival

London Revival

London Palladium - Opened 17 Dec 1977, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Tommy Steele



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

Synopsis

Hans Christian Andersen is a young Danish writer who hopes to become like his idol, William Shakespeare. The children of the village stop by his cottage and ask him to tell them a story, and he regales them with the tale of “Thumbelina.” The school master Rector Meisling is furious that Hans has taken the children away from the studies, and Meisling tells Hans he will amount to nothing.

A musician named Otto arrives and asks Hans to come with him to the Odense Theatre where he works as a pianist. The Theatre’s star singer, Jenny Lind immediately takes a liking to Hans and agrees to read his play, even though her manager Max Klaus thinks it is terrible. Jenny encourages Hans to study writing a bit more, and he returns to his home village with a letter asking Rector Meisling to continue his education.

Hans tells the schoolchildren the story of the “Inchworm,” and even the Rector’s wife is amused. The Rector threatens Hans, but Otto reappears to rescue him. Now that Hans can read and write, he leaves with Otto on an adventure (“Anywhere I Wander”) and finally arrives in “Wonderful Copenhagen.”

Max feels threatened by Hans’ reappearance, and helps have him arrested while he is trying to convince publishers that his work is good. In prison, Hans is surprised to be reunited with Otto, who explains that Jenny has placed an advertisement in the paper asking for news about Hans which the two men are able to use to get out of jail.

Meanwhile, Max is hosting a lavish party for Jenny, and is displeased when Hans arrives. Though he tries to throw Hans out, Jenny stops him and asks him how his writing is going. He attempts to explain one of his more convoluted stories, but all of the guests laugh at him. Humiliated, he finds the servants and explains that he always feels out of place. He tells them the story of “The Ugly Duckling,” which Jenny overhears, and she convinces him that his future lies in telling wonderful children’s stories.
Hans does manage to become famous and attempts to woo Jenny, but she feels their relationship is purely platonic (“No Two People”). Hans is devastated, but Otto arrives to encourage him to focus on his work. He appears before the King, and regales him with “The King’s New Clothes.” The King is delighted and gives him a royal title.

Songs
  1. Ecclesiasticus
  2. Don’t Talk To Me About Those Happy Days
  3. I’m Hans Christian Andersen
  4. For Hans Tonight
  5. Thumbelina
  6. Inchworm
  7. Anywhere I Wander
  8. This Town
  9. Wonderful Copenhagen
  10. The Ugly Duckling
  11. No Two People
  12. The King’s New Clothes

 

Salad Days

Salad Days features a score by Julian Slade with lyrics by Dorothy Reynolds. The musical had humble beginnings in Bristol before transferring to the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre where it broke records for running for over 2,200 performances. The show is not often performed in London or New York, but remains famous thanks to Producer Cameron Mackintosh who accredits it as the reason he got into the theatre industry. A successful London fringe production helped open the show up to new audiences once again and was revived at the Riverside Studios in December 2012.

Salad Days

Julian Slade

Dorothy Reynolds

Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade

Productions
Salad Days Bristol

Original Production

Theatre Royal Bristol - Opened 1 Jun 1954, closed 1 Jan 1970

Salad Days Original London

Original London Production

Vaudeville Theatre - Opened 5 Aug 1954, closed 1 Jan 1970, 2283 performances

Salad Days New York

Original New York Production

Barbizon Plaza - Opened 10 Nov 1958, closed 1 Jan 1970, 80 performances

Salad Days New York

London Revival

Duke of York's Theatre - Opened 1 Apr 1976, closed 1 Jan 1970, 133 performances



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

Synopsis

Jane and Timothy are in love and deciding which path to take with their lives after graduating from university. They will miss their friends and student days, but agree to think of the future (“We Said We Wouldn’t Look Back”). Jane’s parents want her to find a husband quickly, while Timothy’s parents hope he will find a job (“Find Yourself Something to Do”). They end up eloping together and agree that Timothy will take the first job he is offered.

While sitting in the park one day, Timothy and Jane are approached by a tramp pushing an old piano. He offers them £7 a week to take care of it for a month, and being the first job Timothy has been offered, they accept. The tramp begins to play the piano, and the couple find that it possesses a power to make people around it dance (“Oh, Look at Me!”).

Timothy agrees to seek a position at the Foreign Office at the request of his parents, but he soon returns to the park and the piano, now named Minnie. No one is able to resist the urge to dance when it is played, and soon they are all “Out of Breath.”

Nigel, who has long-admired Jane and is unaware that she is now married, invites her to a nightclub called the “Cleopatra.” They run into Timothy while leaving the club, and the married couple persuade Nigel that “It’s Easy to Sing.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Pleasure and Pastime becomes aware of Minnie’s effect and tries to shut it down for the public’s well-being. Jane and Timothy try to hide Minnie, but they discover that the piano has already disappeared (“We’re Looking for a Piano”). Jane acknowledges that she’s having a great adventure (“The Time of My Life”). They find the tramp again who does not seem concerned that it has gone missing. They then come across Timothy’s Uncle Ned, who is a scientist and helps them search for Minnie on his flying saucer (“The Saucer Song”). Meanwhile, Jane and Timothy’s mothers are worried about them (“We Don’t Understand Our Children”).

Jane and Timothy finally find Minnie, but their month with the piano is up, and the tramp arrives to inform them that another young couple in love must look after it, and it turns out the next couple is Nigel and his new girlfriend.

Songs
  1. The Things That Are Done By A Don – Company
  2. We Said We Wouldn’t Look Back – Jane and Timothy
  3. Find YOurself Something To Do – Timothy’s Father, Mother & Aunt Prue
  4. I Sit In the Sun – Jane
  5. Oh, Look At Me! – Jane & Timothy
  6. Hush-Hush – Uncle Clam, Fosdyke & Timothy
  7. Out Of Breath – Company
  8. Cleopatra – The Manager
  9. Sand In My Eyes – Asphynxia
  10. It’s Easy To Sing – Jane, Timothy & Nigel
  11. We’re Looking For a Piano – Company
  12. The Time Of My Life – Jane & the Tramp
  13. The Saucer Song – Uncle Zed, Jane & Timothy
  14. We Don’t Understand Our Children – Jane’s Mother & Timothy’s Mother
Licensing

UK: Tams-Witmark

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

The Bodyguard

The Bodyguard is a brand new musical based on the 1992 award winning movie of the same name. The show has been in pre-production for some years, despite many thinking it was triggered by the death of Whitney Houston early in 2012. The musical features the songs of Whitney Houston exclusively, with no original material written for the production. Most of the songs are performed as performances by the lead character Rachel rather than to progress the story, resulting in a strange form that is half musical, half play with songs. The show stars Tony Award winner Heather Headley in the lead role of superstar Rachel Marron alongside Lloyd Owen as her protector.

The Bodyguard New Publicity Image

Various (songs of Whitney Houston)

Alexander Dinelaris

The Warner Brothers Film

Lawrence Kasdan

Michael Harrison and David Ian

Thea Sharrock

Productions
The-Bodyguard-Poster

London Production

Adelphi Theatre London - Opened 5 Dec 2012, closed 27 Apr 2013

Cast: Heather Headley, Lloyd Owen, Sean Chapman, Nicholas Colicos, Debbie Kurup, Gloria Onitiri, Oliver Le Sueur, Mark Letheren, Mark McKerracher, David Page, Ray Shell.



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

Synopsis

A dark, smoky gauze opens the show and we hear a loud gunshot. A spotlight on Frank Farmer and a shot body quickly fades away as we hear the opening to “Queen of the Night”. International superstar Rachel Marron is onstage giving a performance in front of screaming fans, after just receiving two Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Best Original Song. Ray Shell tries to convince bodyguard Frank Farmer to take on a new case, offering more money to get him to look after Rachel and her family. He introduces him to the Stalker’s methods and letters that Rachel has been receiving, without her knowledge, and is intrigued enough to get involved.

At Rachel’s home we meet her team, including her head of security Tony, choreographer and seven year old son Fletcher. They are busy rehearsing for an upcoming performance. Frank meets Rachel, and is not well liked at first by the rest of his team. He watches Rachel and her backing dancers perform, “I’m Your Baby Tonight”. He meets Nikki, Rachel’s sister who is also a singer but has spent her life walking in Rachel’s shadow, despite writing the Oscar nominated song with her. She helps Frank by giving him a list of places Rachel frequently visits along with people she sees. She tells Frank she is performing later that evening in a small bar. Frank is intrigued by Nikki and tries to question her further, but she leaves.

We are introduced to Rachel’s stalker who has breached security by leaving letters in her dressing room and taking pieces of her costume. He sings “Oh Yes” which turns into a duet with Rachel on a screen, until she appears in a dress and completes the performance.

Nikki is performing “Saving All My Love For You” in a small bar, and is surprised when Frank arrives to listen. As she drinks with him, it becomes clear that she likes him, although he is just interested in finding out about her past issues with Rachel. He lends her his jacket and makes sure she gets home safe.

Back at Rachel’s house her manager is trying to get her to agree to doing a small, exclusive performance. Frank is against the idea, telling Rachel that she needs to listen to him as it is his job to protect the family. She argues with him, and tells her manager that she will perform as not to let her fans down. Frank asks her manager why he hasn’t told her about the stalker, and he explains that he doesn’t want to distract her from the Oscar campaign.

Rachel is announced as a special guest at the club and everyone is excited. As she prepares to perform to a sell out audience, Frank preps the security team to make sure they know how to get her out in case there is a problem. She arrives onstage and performs “So Emotional”, but as she comes face to face with her stalker she is rescued by Frank who safely drags her offstage.

Alone at home Rachel performs “Run To You” as she comes to realise that she has feelings for Frank. The scene splits between her and Nikki who also sings about her feelings for Frank. The next day Rachel asks Frank if she can go on a date, saying the only way it could possibly happen is if he comes with her. He leaves the question hanging as Nikki returns his jacket, thanking him for coming to watch her perform.

Frank accepts Rachel’s offer of a date and takes her to a karaoke bar where three girls perform “How Will I Know?” As they continue to flirt, Rachel makes a bet with him that she can guess how his life has been. He agrees to sing for her on the karaoke, delivering a self conscious rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”. Rachel (who is supposed to be incognito) sings “I Have Nothing” as the first act ends, with spotlights on Nikki, Rachel, Frank and The Stalker.

The second act begins in Frank’s bedroom as Rachel sings to him whilst he sleeps, “All the Man I Need”, which segues neatly into a recording studio where Rachel is laying down the track. Nikki is bitter about her new relationship with Frank. Rachel is getting prepared to leave for Miami for a benefit concert, and Frank tells Fletcher that he has to stay at home, but does give him a pass to get into the Academy Awards.

In Miami Rachel performs “I’m Every Woman” to a delighted audience. Frank checks in on Fletcher, who hasn’t realised that The Stalker is in their house acting as a security guard. Nikki is at home along watching Fletcher and sings “All At Once”, upset at losing yet another thing to her sister. As she goes in to check on Fletcher, she pulls back the covers to see a dead animal carcass in his bed which has been left by The Stalker. Rachel, Frank and their team arrive home in shock. Frank tells her they can’t continue to be together as it is dangerous for the whole family. He makes her cancel the rest of her promotional tours and takes the whole family to his family log cabin.

Rachel meets Frank’s father and learns his mother died of cancer the year before, when Frank was busy looking after the Senator. Whilst at the funeral of his mother, the senator was shot and his father explains how Frank carries that guilt. Fletcher and Nikki sing together “Jesus Loves Me”, but as they settle down to bed, The Stalker breaks into the house and kills Nikki, thinking it is Rachel. As Frank arrives, he flees and a chase sequence is projected onstage showing The Stalker running away from Frank.

Despite the obvious dangers, Rachel decides to perform at the Oscars, as she tells Frank how it was always her sister’s dream to win an Academy Award. At the ceremony, security is obviously tight. Rachel arrives to sing “One Moment in Time”, her Oscar nominated song. As she reaches for the final note, Frank jumps onstage to take a bullet for her from The Stalker and the safety curtain comes down.

A few weeks later Rachel and Fletcher are preparing to move away. Frank returns with his arm in a sling and brings Fletcher a gift. It is an emotional farewell, and as she leaves Rachel begins to sing “I Will Always Love You” to a large projection of Frank’s face. The whole cast returns to the stage for an upbeat encore of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”.

Songs

Act 1

• Queen of the Night – Rachel and Ensemble
• I’m Your Baby Tonight – Rachel
• Oh, Yes – Stalker, Rachel
• Saving All My Love for You – Nikki
• So Emotional – Rachel
• Run To You – Rachel, Nikki
• How Will I Know – Featured Ensemble
• I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton version) – Frank
• I Have Nothing – Rachel

Act 2

• All The Man I Need – Rachel
• I’m Every Woman – Rachel, Ensemble
• All at Once – Nikki
• Jesus Loves Me – Nikki, Fletcher, Rachel
• One Moment in Time – Rachel
• I Will Always Love You – Rachel
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Full Cast, Encore

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, or ‘Drood’ as it is known to some is a unique musical in which the audience have the chance to choose the outcome. Based on the unfinished novel of the same name by Charles Dickens, the show concerns a murder mystery plot, leaving the audience to select the offender from a range of suspects. The quirky play within a play setting of the musical, along with the different outcome every night helped this musical win the Tony Award for Best Musical, going on to achieve cult status. The show was first seen in the 1980s but has been revived in 2012 in both London and New York, to coincide with the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes

Charles Dickens' unfinished novel of the same name

The New York Shakespeare Festival (Joseph Papp, Producer)

Wilford Leach

Graciela Daniele

Productions
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Original Broadway

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Original Broadway Production

Imperial Theatre - Opened 2 Dec 1985, closed 16 May 1987

Cast: George Rose, Cleo Laine, John Herrera, Howard McGillin, Patti Cohenour, and Jana Schneider

The Mystery of Edwin Drood Original London

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Original London Production

The Savoy Theatre - Opened 2 Dec 1987, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Ernie Wise, Lulu, Julia Hills, David Burt, Mark Ryan

The Mystery of Edwin Drood London Revival

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - London Revival

The Landor Theatre, The Arts Theatre - Opened 18 May 2012, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Wendi Peters

The Mystery of Edwin Drood Broadway Revival

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Broadway Revival

Studio 54 - Opened 13 Nov 2012, closed 10 Mar 2012

Cast: Stephanie J Block, Will Chase, Chita Rivera, Andy Carl



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

Synopsis

The show opens onstage at London’s Music Hall Royale where the cast are preparing for their nightly version of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”. The travelling band of players explain to the audience that the novel was never finished by Charles Dickens, as he died before the mystery could be solved. The audience are told that they will play a part in deciding the outcome of the show. The vulgar Master of Ceremonies encourages the audience to be loud and rowdy as everyone joins in on the opening number and the play within a play starts to unfold.

We are introduced to John Jasper, a respectable member of London society who suffers from internal demons. His nephew Edwin Drood (played by a female, Alice Nutting) arrives and tells his uncle about his upcoming marriage to Rosa Bud. Rosa is working at a seminary, and Jasper acts as her music teacher and has composed a song for her to perform for him. As she sings, two orphans arrive and she faints as she hears the lustful lyrics contained within the song. It becomes obvious that Jasper is in love with her, along with Neville Landless, one of the orphans.

The next character to be introduced is Princess Puffer who runs an opium den – a venue that is frequented by Jasper. Jasper dreams of Edwin and Rosa. The gravedigger Durdles enter to make a grave for the wife of Mayor, but the actor playing his assistant is too drunk to partake, and the Master of Ceremonies has to step in and take over.

The Reverend introduces Edwin to the Landless twins. Drood tells them about his plan to create a highway in the Egyptian desert, but Neville takes offence and it seems clear that the two are set to be rivals. The Mayor arrives and warns the audience that often things are not exactly what they may seem…

Jasper visits the cemetery where he steals the key to the Mayor’s Wife’s tomb. Edwin and Rosa are both worried about their upcoming wedding and decide to break off the engagement. They agree not to share the news until after Christmas. The next day they gather for a Christmas dinner where each character’s rivalries and motivations are revealed to the audience. Edwin is followed by Neville to the river, borrowing Jasper’s coat.

On Christmas Day we find out that Edwin has gone missing. Bazzard, the Detective’s assistant (who is given a small moment in the spotlight) finds Jasper’s bloodied coat and it is assumed that Drood has been murdered. Neville is the first suspect and is arrested, before being later released. Jasper admits to Rosa that he loves her, but she ignores his advances and their heated debate leads to a reprise of the song he wrote for her, ‘Moonfall’.

The second act begins six months later and Edwin is still missing. Princess Puffer is joined by Dick Datchery to help solve the crime, as the Master of Ceremonies reminds the audience that they must pay attention to all of the clues. Puffer tells Rosa that she must not give up her search to find Drood and the show stops abruptly, and it is explained that this is as far as Dickens got in writing the novel. The cast reveal that the female impersonator Alice Nutting who has been playing Drood has also been playing Datchery, and she insists that Drood is not dead. The cast vote in favour of him being dead, and she storms off the stage, convinced they are jealous of her talents. The audience then are left to vote for who they think Datchery is – and the actor they choose goes to prepare for the final scene.

Next comes the voting of the murderer. The audience is divided into sections, and vote for the murderer out of the potential suspects: Bazzard, Crisparkle, Helena, Neville, Puffer, Rosa or Durdles? Puffa’s confession reveals that she had previously been Rosa’s nanny and the identity of Datchery is made known after the audience vote has been counted. Whoever is playing Datchery says why they wanted to find the murderer and points the finger at Jasper. He confesses that he has killed his nephew whilst high on opium. Durdles stops the show and says that he witnessed the killing, revealing exactly who is to blame from the suspects. The chosen suspect delivers their confession. The audience then get to pick who they want to end up as lovers, before Edwin arrives back onstage and paints the writing on the wall.

Songs

ACT I

  • “There You Are” – Chairman, Angela, Deirdre, Alice, Clive and Company
  • “A Man Could Go Quite Mad” – Jasper
  • “Two Kinsmen” – Jasper and Drood
  • “Moonfall” – Rosa
  • “Moonfall Quartet” – Rosa, Helena, Alice and Beatrice
  • “The Wages of Sin” – Puffer
  • “Jasper’s Vision” – Dream Ballet*
  • “Ceylon” – Drood, Rosa, Helena, Neville and Company
  • “Both Sides of the Coin” – Sapsea and Jasper
  • “Perfect Strangers” – Rosa and Drood
  • “No Good Can Come from Bad” – Jasper, Rosa, Drood, Neville, Helena, Crisparkle and Waiter
  • “Never the Luck” – Bax / Bazzard and Company
  • “The Name of Love” / “Moonfall” – Jasper, Rosa and Company

ACT II

  • “Settling Up the Score” – Puffer, Datchery and Company
  • “Off to the Races” – Sapsea, Durdles, Deputy and Company
  • “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead” – Puffer, Datchery and Company
  • “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead” (Reprise) – Company*
  • “Settling Up the Score” (Reprise) – Chairman, Suspects and Company*
  • “The Garden Path to Hell” – Puffer
  • “Puffer’s Revelation” – Puffer
  • “Out on a Limerick” – Datcherys
  • “Jasper’s Confession” – Jasper
  • “Murderer’s Confession”
  • “Perfect Strangers” (Reprise)
  • “The Writing on the Wall” – Drood and Company
Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark

 

 

High Society

High Society is a musical based on the film of the same name, which in turn is based on the Phillip Barry play ‘The Philadalphia Story’. The show features a score by Cole Porter and uses songs he wrote specifically for the production, along with a number of songs from his back catalogue. The story focuses on a wedding between a Long Island socialite and a pretentious executive that is thrown into disarray when her ex-husband arrives. The original Broadway production was not particularly successful but the show found an audience in the West End, thanks in large to the Regent’s Park Open Air Revival directed by Ian Talbot, on which the 2005 revival was based. The show continues to tour in the UK and is set to do so again starring Daniel Boyes.

High Society

Cole Porter

Arthur Kopit

Arthur Kopit

Lauren Mitchell, Robert Gailus, Hal Luftig, Richard Samson and Dodger Endemol Theatricals

Christopher Renshaw

Lar Lubovitch

Productions
High Society Original London

Original London Production

Victoria Palace Theatre - Opened 25 Feb 1987, closed 1 Jan 1970, 420 performances

High Society Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

St. James Theatre - Opened 27 Apr 1998, closed 30 Aug 1998

Cast: Stephen Bogardus (Macaulay Conner), Melissa Errico (Tracy), Daniel McDonald(Dexter), John McMartin (Uncle Willie), Randy Graff, Lisa Banes, Marc Kudisch, Betsy Joslyn and a 12-year-old Anna Kendrick.

High Society London Revival

London Revival

Open Air Regent's Park, Shaftesbury Theatre - Opened 1 Jul 2003, closed 26 Jan 2006



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

Synopsis

On an estate in Long Island’s Oyster Bay we are introduced to Tracy Lord, a socialite who is preparing to marry again. Her mother is fraught due to the weddings preperations and her sister Dinah is upset that she is marrying one of the dullest men around. Tracy reminds her absent minded Uncle Willie about the upcoming event but her positive mood is short lived as Dexter her first husband has returned, sailing in on the ‘True Love” boat that hold painful memories for Tracy.

Dexter tells Tracy that a pair of reporters from a local scandal magazine called ‘Spy’ are attending the wedding disguised as guests. Dexter has invited them to stop the magazine publishing a story about Tracy’s father Seth’s affair with a young dancer Tina Mara. Seth has been thrown out of the house and is told not to attend the wedding. Dinah is left alone with Dexter and he makes it clear that he hasn’t come to win Tracy back.

As the guests arrive they are greeted by Dinah and Tracy, who introduces her Uncle Willie as her father to make sure no one guesses the real reason he isn’t invited to attend. This causes some mayhem as Seth has to explain to some of the men the secret of Tina’s allure. Tracy meets Dexter by the pool and he brings her down enough for her to start questioning her world. She suddenly finds her fiancé to be boring and stares out at the True Love boat remembering her fantastic honeymoon with Dexter. She begins to drink champagne as the act ends.

Tracy arrives drunk at Uncle Willie’s party at 4am and begins dancing with the staff. George is outraged and storms off. Dinah is excited and rushes off to tell Dexter. She finds him packing up ready to leave and convinces him that he has a chance, as she is knocking back champagne. At the party, George reminds Tracy that they have a big day coming up and tells her off for being drunk. She calls him a snob, and as she leaves she kisses Mike and the pair rush of to go skinny dipping. Dexter and Dinah arrive to witness the mayhem. Dexter explains to Tracy the plot involving her father as George arrives in time to see Mike carrying Tracy in nothing but a robe. Dexter stops George hitting Mike and Mike takes her to bed.

The next morning Tracy wakes up and remembers she was in the pool the night before with a man other than her husband to be. As Mike enters she realises it was him and thinks the marriage must be over. Tracy’s mother and father mend their relationship as the blackmail attempt is lifted. Dexter volunteers to marry Tracy as George is no where to be found, as Dinah rests happy knowing her meddling has created happiness.

Songs

Act 1

  • “High Society”
  • “Ridin’ High“
  • “Throwing a Ball Tonight”
  • “Little One“
  • “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
  • “I Love Paris“
  • “She’s Got That Thing”
  • “Once Upon a Time”
  • “True Love“
Act II 
  • “High Society” (Reprise)
  • “Let’s Misbehave“
  • “I’m Getting Myself Ready for You”
  • “Once Upon a Time” (Reprise)
  • “Just One of Those Things“
  • “Well, Did You Evah!“
  • “You’re Sensational“
  • “Say It With Gin”
  • “Ridin’ High”
  • “It’s All Right With Me“
  • “He’s a Right Guy”
  • “I Love You, Samantha“
  • “True Love” (Reprise)
Awards

1998 Tony Awards: Nominated for Best Performance by a featured actress, Best Featured Actor

2004 Olivier Awards: Nominated for Best Musical, Best Supporting Actress

Licensing

UK: Music Scope UK

USA: Tams-Witmark