Breakfast at Tiffany's (musical)

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Studio recording

Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of the most notorious flops in the history of Broadway musicals.

Based on the Truman Capote novella and 1961 film of the same name about a free spirit named Holly Golightly, it had a book by illustrious playwright Edward Albee and a score composed by the equally notable Bob Merrill. The cast, directed by Joseph Anthony, included Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Chamberlain, Sally Kellerman, Larry Kert, and Priscilla Lopez. It was designed by Oliver Smith and choreographed by Michael Kidd.

Despite the impressive list of collaborators involved in the production, the project never jelled. It underwent constant and massive changes in its script (the original by Abe Burrows was scrapped completely) and score during out-of-town tryouts. On a daily basis, the cast was given new material mere hours before curtain time. Burrows' departure put a damper on the proceedings, resulting in a low morale among cast members, and Moore was convinced Merrick planned to fire her soon after opening night. It was not uncommon for the show to run nearly four hours as audience members trickled out of the theater.

Its original title, Holly Golightly, was changed when it limped onto Broadway for its first preview on December 12, 1966 at the Majestic Theatre where, despite a healthy advance sale and much audience anticipation, it closed four nights later. According to producer David Merrick, in an infamous ad he placed in the New York Times, he shut down the production "rather than subject the drama critics and the public to an excruciatingly boring evening."

Just prior to closing, a live recording was made of the musical numbers, excerpts of which eventually were released on LP. In 2001, a studio recording with Faith Prince, John Schneider, Hal Linden, Patrick Cassidy, and original cast member Kellerman was released on the Original Cast label.

The show's failure is legendary among theater historians and buffs. It has been said that if as many people who have claimed to have seen Breakfast at Tiffany's really had, it would have run forever.