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Look Back at Sweet Charity on Broadway Starring Gwen Verdon

by | Jan 28, 2021 | New Musical News Feed

The original Broadway production of Sweet Charity, composed by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon, opened on January 29, 1966, at the Palace Theatre. The production played 10 previews and 608 performances before closing July 15, 1967, earning nine Tony Awards with Bob Fosse winning Best Choreography.

Based on the screenplay Nights of Cabiria by Federico Fellini, Sweet Charity follows the adventures of a New York taxi dancer with an open-hearted but unlucky in love. The musical has been cemented in the musical theatre canon with songs such as “Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” and the seminal choreography for “Rich Man’s Frug.” The original production was conceived by Fosse for his wife, Tony winner Gwen Verdon, who played Charity.

Look Back at Sweet Charity on Broadway Starring Gwen Verdon

In addition to Verdon, the musical starred John McMartin as Oscar, Helen Gallagher as Nicki, Thelma Oliver as Helene, Sharon Ritchie as Ursula, and James Luisi as Vittorio Vidal alongside ensemble members Michael Davis, Eddie Gasper, David Gold, Carmen Morales, Harold Pierson, Barbara Sharma, Arnold Soboloff, Bud Vest, John Wheeler, Ruth Buzzi, Elaine Cancilla, Suzanne Charny, Betsy Dickerson, Kathryn Doby, Alice Evans, Gene Foote, Patrick Heim, I.W. Klein, Mary Louise, Lee Roy Reams, Charlene Ryan, John Sharpe, Christine Stewart, and John Stratton.

Dircted and choreographed by Fosse, Sweet Charity scenic and lighting design by Robert Randolph and costume design by Irene Sharaff with stage management by Paul Phillips, NIck Malekos, and Michael Sinclair. For the complete cast and creative team, visit Sweet Charity in the Playbill Vault.

In the News: Watch Nick Cordero’s Final Public Performance, Amanda Gorman’s Hamilton Reference(s) at the Inauguration, More

by | Jan 20, 2021 | New Musical News Feed

Read on for some recent theatre headlines you may have missed in today’s news.

Single of Nick Cordero’s Last Public Performance Released
Broadway Records has released a single of “Dear Hate,” as performed by Nick Cordero and Liana Stampur and recorded live at Sony Hall on March 9, 2020, for the Broadway Against Bullying benefit cabaret. This would become Cordero’s last public performance before his death in July after a months-long battle with COVID-19. The single is produced by Michael J Moritz Jr. who says, “The lyrics serve as a remember that love and beauty remain, even in the seemingly darkest of times; a fitting message for this moment in history.” Proceeds from “Dear Hate” will benefit The Actors Fund. The single is available at BroadwayRecords.com and iTunes; watch the video of the performance above.

Jazz and Broadway Stars Come Together to Save Birdland
The legendary Birldand has been a jazz hotspot since 1949, but the pandemic has threatened permanent closure. After the success of the West Bank benefit telethon, producers Tom and Michael D’Angora and Tim Guinee have stepped in with another concert, this time to save Birdland. The virtual concert will feature appearances and performances from jazz legends and Broadway luminaries, as well as a former United States President. Tune in to see President Bill Clinton, Audra McDonald, Wendell Pierce, Wynton Marsalis, Leslie Odom, Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, and many more. Save Birdland Concert: A Celebration of Music, History and Community will stream free of charge beginning at 7 PM ET on January 24 at SaveBirdland.com.

The Nation’s Youngest Inaugural Poet is a Hamilfan
Poet Amanda Gorman, who read her work “The Hill We Climb” at the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden this afternoon, tweeted to Lin-Manuel Miranda that she had included two Hamilton references in her poem. Watch her recitation here to catch them yourself. History will certainly have its eyes on Amanda Gorman.