MUSICAL THEATRE ARCHIVES
Here is some musical theatre trivia about events that happened during THIS month in the past:
July 15, 1905 Dorothy Fields was born. Lyricist who collaborated with Jimmy McHugh, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Bob Fosse, and Cy Coleman. Among her most famous songs: “The Way You Look Tonight”, “A Fine Romance”, and “Big Spender”. Also bookwriter for Annie Get Your Gun.
July 14, 1918 Arthur Laurents was born. Bookwriter for West Side Story, Gypsy, Anyone Can Whistle, amongst others, and also director of such hits as La Cage aux Folles and revivals of Gypsy starring Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, and, currently running in NYC, Patti LuPone.
July 1, 1941 Twyla Tharp was born today
July 22, 1949 Alan Menken was born. Composer of Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol, and The Little Mermaid.
July 19, 1962 Film version of The Music Man premieres.
July 25, 1975 A Chorus Line opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre with no stars, no set, no conventional storyline. It became one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
July 2, 1987 Michael Bennett died today at the age of forty-four. He left behind a legacy of two decades worth of Broadway choreography. After five Tony noms, he finally won for Best Choreography for Follies.
July 18, 2003 Hairspray played its first preview in New York.
July 24, 2003 Acclaimed revival of Big River opened at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Produced by NAMT member Deaf West Theatre with The Roundabout Theatre Company in association with NAMT member Center Theatre Group, the revival combined hearing and deaf actors.
July 14, 1918 Arthur Laurents was born. Bookwriter for West Side Story, Gypsy, Anyone Can Whistle, amongst others, and also director of such hits as La Cage aux Folles and revivals of Gypsy starring Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, and, currently running in NYC, Patti LuPone.
July 1, 1941 Twyla Tharp was born today
July 22, 1949 Alan Menken was born. Composer of Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol, and The Little Mermaid.
July 19, 1962 Film version of The Music Man premieres.
July 25, 1975 A Chorus Line opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre with no stars, no set, no conventional storyline. It became one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
July 2, 1987 Michael Bennett died today at the age of forty-four. He left behind a legacy of two decades worth of Broadway choreography. After five Tony noms, he finally won for Best Choreography for Follies.
July 18, 2003 Hairspray played its first preview in New York.
July 24, 2003 Acclaimed revival of Big River opened at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Produced by NAMT member Deaf West Theatre with The Roundabout Theatre Company in association with NAMT member Center Theatre Group, the revival combined hearing and deaf actors.
Window card for South Pacific . 1951? From the Billy Rose Theater Collection, New York Public Library
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