Copacabana (musical)

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Copacabana is a musical written by Barry Manilow, based around the song of the same name. The show toured the United States and, as of 2006, became available to license to performing companies and schools for the first time.^[1]

1 Barry Manilow in Copacabana (1985)
2 Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana (1990-1991)
3 Barry Manilow's Copacabana (1994-1996)
4 Barry Manilow's Copacabana: The Musical (2000)
5 Copacabana
6 Synopsis
7 Cast of Characters
8 Musical Numbers
9 Vocal Ranges
10 References
11 External link

[edit] Barry Manilow in Copacabana (1985)

Copacabana (television movie)

Soundtrack by Barry Manilow
Released	1985

In 1980, while Manilow was on Merv Griffin's show he tried to persuade him into starring in a movie about the famous song. The television project began when Dick Clark approached Manilow and cowriters Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, and persuaded them to develop a musical film around their popular song, Copacabana. In this version, Annette O'Toole's Lola was from Chicago, Illinois. In future adaptions the character's origin changes.

There was an album produced of the movie: Copacabana: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album

Songs debuting in the movie version:^[2]

"Sweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again)" - Tony
"Changing My Tune" - Tony
"Let's go Steppin'" - Copa Girls
"Man Wanted" - Lola
"Call Me Mr. Lucky" - Tony
"Lola" - Tony
"Who Needs To Dream" - Tony
"¡Aye Caramba!" - Copa Girls
"El Bravo" - Lola

The main cast of the 1985 production was:^[3]

Barry Manilow as Tony Starr
Annette O'Toole as Lola Lamar
Estelle Getty as Bella Stern
James T Callahan as Dennis Riley
Andra Akers as Pamela Devereaux
Silvana Gallardo as Conchita Ramon
Joseph Bologna as Rico Castelli
Ernie Sabella as Sam Gropper
Cliff Osmond as Angelo
Dwier Brown as Bibi Sutton
Clarence Felder as Nick Panotis
Hamilton Camp as Nicky Richards
Artie Butler as Nightclub Piano Player
James Gillian as Orchestra Leader

The movie in 1986 was nominated for two Emmys in the categories of "Outstanding Achievement in Choreography" and won the category of "Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program" against Neil Diamond...Hello Again (CBS), The 58th Annual Academy Awards (ABC) and The Gospel at Colonus Great Performances (PBS).^[4]

[edit] Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana (1990-1991)

It was next developed into an hour-long show for Caesars Circus Maximus Theatre in Atlantic City starring Sean Sullivan as Tony/Stephen and Hillary Turk as Lola. It ran from September 1990 to June 1991 and had a cast of 20 singers and dancers which Manilow directed, with a script and song score created by Manilow and his longtime collaborators Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman. The music track to this version of the show leaned heavily on the 1985 movie soundtrack. The show played to over 100,000 people in its first six months and received rave reviews as the "must-see casino show" in Atlantic City.^[5] From this adaption on forward the character Lola was from Tulsa, Oklahoma as stated in the beginning of "Just Arrived".

Unreleased Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana Cast Recording

Side One
"Overture" (from 1985 movie)
"Copacabana" (1978 Barry Manilow version)
+"Just Arrived" - Lola
++"Dancin Fool" - Copa Girls
"Let's Go Steppin" - Copa Girls
"Man Wanted" - Lola
"Lola/Who Needs To Dream" - Tony
Copa Writing Rico - Stephen
"!Aye Caramba!" - Copa Girls

Side Two
+"Bolero de Amor" - Rico
"Sweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again)" - Tony
+"Welcome To Havana" - Conchita
"Mermaids Tale"
"El Bravo" - Lola and Tropicana cast
"Who Needs To Dream" (reprise)
Copa Finale
"Copacabana 1985" (from soundtrack sung by Barry Manilow)

+ = Songs debuting in this version
++ = Song debuted in 1988 Big Fun on Swing Street CBS television special

[edit] Barry Manilow's Copacabana (1994-1996)

Barry Manilow's Copacabana

Soundtrack by Barry Manilow
Released	1994

In 1994, the one-hour show was expanded into a three million dollar full-length musical. It premiered on March 21, 1994 at Theatre Royal in Plymouth, England. It would also play Manchester, Edinburgh and then London's West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre from June 23, 1994 to September 9, 1996.^[6] It followed with a tour there for an additional year.

This adaption originally starred Gary Wilmot as Tony/Stephen and Nicola Dawn as Lola.

There was an album produced from this production: Copacabana: Original London Cast Recording.

[edit] Barry Manilow's Copacabana: The Musical (2000)

Following the England adaption was this adaption, also known as Barry Manilow's Copacabana: A New Musical Comedy, kicking off this national tour in June 2000 after its American premiere at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO), followed by a run as part of the Dallas Summer Musical season. In this adaption the character of Gladys, a former Copa Girl was introduced. The national tour cast included:^[7]

Franc D'Ambrosio as Tony
Darcie Roberts as Lola
Terry Burrell as Conchita
Philip Hernandez as Rico
Beth McVey as Gladys
Gavin MacLeod as Sam
Dale Radunz as Sam

Directed by David Warren
Musical direction and choreography by Wayne Cilento
Sets by Derek McLane
Lighting by Donald Holder
Costumes by David C. Wollard
Sound by Michael Cusick

[edit] Copacabana

- Book by: Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman
- Lyrics by: Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman
- Music by: Barry Manilow

[edit] Synopsis

Act One As the lights come up (“Overture”), we enter a dreamlike scene of an elegant nightclub, circa 1940’s. Showgirls, busboys, G.I.’s, waitresses and entire company are revealed in a frozen stage picture. In the center (back to audience) is Stephen, a young songwriter (and our guide for the evening). We are in the Copacabana of his imagination, populated by characters of his invention. As his studio takes shape before him, the cast unfreezes and begins to dance and sing full out to a song that is waiting to be born (“Copacabana”).

Just at the number’s climax, a swank Manhattan apartment set rolls out and it is present day. Stephen’s wife, Samantha, is heard and it snaps him back to reality. She reminds him that her parents will be arriving soon and he needs to get ready. Stephen turns back to his keyboard and drum machine while Samantha bemoans that he looks more longingly at his machines than at her.

Stephen’s song begins to take shape as he decides it will be about a showgirl at the Copa—the glamorous nightclub of 1947—just after World War II. Her name is Lola La Mar from Tulsa, OK, and she has “Just Arrived” at Grand Central Station, suitcases in hand and a dream in her heart—along with many other young women from across the U.S. Stephen is pleased with his creation so far and as he dashes into the wings, a driving big band drum beat is heard and the glamorous Copacabana takes shape. Copa Boys begin entering the stage and we hear Stephen’s voice introduce Tony--a songwriter by day, and at night he works in the world famous Copacabana. Led by Tony, the Copa Boys sing and dance their way through “Dancin’ Fool.”

Just then, Lola enters the club, trying unsuccessfully to blend into her surroundings. She asks to see the manager, and with the help of Tony and Gladys, the worldly-wise cigarette girl, secures an audition with Sam Silver, the Copa’s no-nonsense manager, for the next afternoon. As Tony watches Lola leave, he senses he’s smitten and sings “Sweet Heaven” with the Copa Boys and Girls.

The next day, Tony and Lola go on several rounds of separate auditions, none successful for either. Outside the Copa later that afternoon, Lola commiserates with Gladys about her awful audition experiences and Gladys tries to offer her advice (“Copa Girl”). Inside a rehearsal is going on and tables are being set for the evening. Lola asks Sam Silver about her audition for him and since she does not have an accompanist, Tony offers to play for her. Sam sits and Tony goes to the piano with Lola’s music, her original song and arrangement from back home. She begins as she has done so for all the other (unsuccessful) auditions. When Sam stops her, Tony interrupts and asks for a chance to do it again—a bit differently this time. He quickly coaches Lola on what to do and she timidly begins “Man Wanted,” but becomes bolder as it progresses—even dancing during the number. Sam gives her the job and being impressed with Tony as well, tells him he’s back in the show.

Lola and Tony are both thrilled and Lola flirts with Tony asking him to show her how he writes a song. Tony takes the bait and begins composing a song (“Who Needs To Dream”), becoming more earnest and serious as he sings to Lola. The song culminates in the two passionately embracing.

Stephen’s voice is heard again as he introduces new characters to the story. Rico Castelli, a diamond wearing, smooth gangster-type enters the club with Conchita, his Latina bombshell girlfriend and a couple of his ‘goons.’ They sit down front and watch the Copa Girls perform “I Gotta Be Bad,” starring Lola. Rico cannot take his eyes off of her and invites her to join him for a drink after the show. She proceeds to get drunk on champagne while Rico tries to convince her that she should come with him to star in his club, The Tropicana, in Havana, Cuba. During a performance of dancing Bolero couples, Rico sings “Bolero D’Amore” and drugs Lola, carrying her away as the scene changes from New York to Havana--and Rico’s bedroom. Stephen appears and gazes at Rico, but is powerless to stop the scene that is taking place.

Act Two Though we hear Samantha’s voice calling to Stephen, his evolving story continues, taking us inside The Tropicana Night Club, Havana. Looking extravagantly sexy, Conchita enters and welcomes everyone with “Havana/Caramba,” backed up by The Tropicana Boys. Rico tells Conchita that he wants to revive the number that made her famous, El Bravo, but he wants to make Lola the star this time. This crushing news more than angers Conchita, and her jealousy pushes her to “talk” to Lola.

Back at the Copacabana in New York, Gladys is tending to Willy, who is battered and bruised from Rico’s goons. A cop is talking to them about what happened when Sam enters, hears the story and joins in. When Tony enters and hears the same, he knows he must save Lola and rushes off. Sam and the others now realize the danger both Tony and Lola are in (“Who Am I Kidding”) and Sam decides to go to Havana, too.

In Havana, Conchita is able to get rid of the body guard and enter Lola’s room. As Lola slowly and groggily awakens, Conchita realizes Lola truly has no idea what has happened and has no designs on Rico whatsoever. In fact, when Rico comes into the room she pulls away from his advances, making him think Conchita has been “telling her stinking lies again.” Rico angrily sends Conchita out and before leaving himself, he grabs Lola to tell her in no uncertain terms that she will learn to like her situation with him. Lola trembles on the bed (“This Can’t Be Real”) and soon we see and hear Stephen in his studio getting caught up in the scene—joining with Lola in a kind of passionate dream ballet.

Conchita is preparing to rehearse El Bravo when Tony gets her attention from behind a curtain. She knows it means trouble for her, but she helps him devise a plan to rescue Lola without Lola’s knowledge. Several nights later, the performance of “El Bravo” begins with Lola and the chorus of Pirates onstage at The Tropicana. At the appropriate moment, Tony swings onstage as El Bravo and total chaos ensues: Rico leaps onstage, Sam directs Tony and Lola to follow him, Rico grabs Lola, points his gun at her head then turns the gun on Tony. A single shot rings out, but it is Rico who falls to the ground. Conchita enters with a gun in her hand and kneels over Rico’s body.

Tony and Lola revive Sam, who tripped and knocked himself out in the ruckus, and convince him he was the hero who saved them. As they all leave for New York, Tony and Lola realize they are truly in love (“Sweet Heaven”). During the song we are transported back to the Copacabana, as the Copa Boys and Girls join Tony and Lola for a grand performance.

Stephen’s studio rolls on with the drum machine playing again. As he switches the machine off, he pulls out Lola’s feather from his pocket and hears a montage of voices from his creation. As Samantha enters in a dress that is the modern equivalent to one of Lola’s, we see her face clearly for the first time--she is a dead ringer for Lola. This vision jars Stephen back to reality, but before he can act on it Samantha’s parents arrive, looking and talking exactly like Gladys and Sam from Stephen’s creation. All this makes him realize that everything he wants and needs is right in front of him—most of all, the girl of his dreams, Samantha (“Finale Act Two”). Though now firmly in the present day, Stephen will always remember the music and passion of the Copa (“Copacabana Finale”).

[edit] Cast of Characters

THE PRESENT DAY

- STEPHEN A young songwriter, who doubles as Tony in 1947
- SAMANTHA Stephen's wife, who doubles as Lola La Mar in 1947

1947

- TONY FORTE Young, good-looking and talented. A struggling songwriter by day, by night he works at the Copacabana.
- LOLA LA MAR A young, pretty girl with misguided ambitions to become a Broadway star.
- GLADYS MURPHY A cheeky, warm-hearted cigarette girl at the Copacabana.
- SAM SILVER The gruff but kind manager of the Copacabana.
- RICO CASTELLI An elegant but dangerous gangster who manages The Tropicana in Havana.
- CONCHITA ALVAREZ A Latina bombshell of the first order and Rico's long-suffering partner/girlfriend.
- McMANUS A New York cop of Irish descent.
- WILLIE A waiter at the Copacabana.
- TRICIA A Showgirl at the Copacabana
- MISTY A Showgirl at the Copacabana
- TIM A Copa Boy at the Copacabana, is in Love with Tricia
- MARCEL A Copa Boy at the Copacabana, is in Love with Misty
- IRIS A Woman Hopeful
- ALICE A Woman Hopeful
- SKIP The house choreographer at the Copacabana.
- MAITRE D' The Snooty Headwaiter/host of the Copacabana.
- COAT CHECK GIRL Works at the Copacabana.
- PIANO ACCOMPANIST
- MESSERS HAMMERSTEIN, RODGERS, LERNER, LOWE Audition Lola for musicals
- A BACK-OF-THE-HOUSE VOICE Plays various show writers, producers, a record producer
- MR. BRILL a music publisher
- ANOTHER MUSIC PUBLISHER non-speaking
- LUIS a guard at Rico's compound in Havana
- FRANK Rico's personal bodyguard
- CARMEN A Show Girl at The Tropicana, Conchita's friend
- CARLOS a trapeze performer at The Tropicana
- ANNOUNCER at The Tropicana
- PIRATE CAPTAIN at The Tropicana, in EL BRAVO
- VERONICA LAKE non-speaking
- HER ESCORT non-speaking
- x3 BOLERO COUPLES
- CHORUS Show Girls, Show Boys, Copa Girls, Copa Boys, Tropicana Boys, Tropicana Girls, Pirates, Pirettes, Cops, Waiters, Busboys, Sailors, Fancy Gents, Thugs, Auditioners, Commuters, Porters, Rosie the Riveter, a Nurse, a WAC, a WAVE, a Salvation Army Sergeant

[edit] Musical Numbers

- Overture - Orchestra
- Copacabana - Stephen, Company
- Just Arrived - Lola, Alice, Iris, Women
- Dancin’ Fool - Tony, Tim, Marcel, Copa Boys
- Sweet Heaven - Tony, Tim, Marcel, Tricia, Misty
- How Can I Ever Thank You? - Tim
- The Jingle - Tony, Tricia, Misty
- The Audition - Lola
- Changin’ My Tune - Tony
- When You’re A Copa Girl - Gladys
- Man Wanted - Lola
- Who Needs To Dream? - Tony, Women
- I Gotta Be Bad - Lola, Tricia, Misty, Copa Girls
- Bolero De Amor - Rico, Small Chorus of Bolero Couples
- Welcome To Havana - Conchita, Chorus
- ¡Ay Caramba! - Conchita, Carmen, Chorus
- Havana?! - Sam, Willie, McManus, Gladys,Tony
- Who Am I Kidding? - Sam, Willie, McManus, Gladys, Tricia, Misty
- Who Am I Kidding? (reprise) - Gladys, Willie, McManus, Tricia, Misty
- This Can’t Be Real - Lola, Stephen
- Mermaids Tale - Conchita, Carmen, Pirettes
- El Bravo - Lola, Pirate Captain, Carlos, Pirates, Pirettes
- Who Needs To Dream? (reprise) - Stephen, Samantha
- Copacabana Finale - Stephen, Company

occasionally cut from the mix Mermaids Tale

[edit] Vocal Ranges

- TONY FORTE - Tenor - Low C to a High G (above middle C)
- LOLA LA MAR - Mezzo - Low G to a High E
- GLADYS MURPHY - Alto - Low G to a High D
- SAM SILVER - Baritone - Low C to a High E
- RICO CASTELLI - Baritone - Low C to a High F
- CONCHITA ALVAREZ - Mezzo - Low G to a High E
- McMANUS - Baritone - Low C to a High E
- WILLIE - Tenor - Low C to a High G
- TRICIA - Mezzo - Low G to a High E - In the script referred to as a Showgirl without a name. Sings many solo parts in songs with a few speaking lines. Part of Quartet in Sweet Heaven.
- MISTY - Alto - Low F to a High D - In the script referred to as a Showgirl without a name. Sings many solo parts in songs with a few speaking lines. Part of Quartet in Sweet Heaven.
- TIM - High Baritone - Low C to a High G - Male Solo in Dancin Fool, Part of Quartet in Sweet Heaven. Is the Male Auditioner. Few Speaking Lines.Does not have a name in the script.
- MARCEL - Baritone - Low C to a High D - Male Solo in Dancin Fool, Part of Quartet in Sweet Heaven. Few Speaking lines.Does not have a name in the script.
- CARMEN - Soprano - F to a High G - Just single solo lines. Does not have a name in the script.
- SKIP - Non-Singing But Intense Dancing, Must be a strong dancer (However, he maybe included in Who Am I Kidding? If director's are wanting to expand parts.) Skip is given an entire song in which he is teaching dance moves to the show girls. He does not need to sing but is needed to be excellent at dancing.
- IRIS - Alto -Low F to a High D - Only appears once in entire show for Just Arrived. Can be included in the chorus. Does not have a name in the script.
- ALICE - Alto - Low F to a High D - Only appears once in entire show for Just Arrived. Can be included in the chorus. Does not have a name in the script.
- x3 BOLERO COUPLES - Varies With Voice Types. See Chorus.
- CARLOS - High Baritone - High D to High E - Trapeze Performer Swings across the stage singing at least three times.
- PIRATE CAPTAIN - Is only a Speaking role in El Bravo
- CHORUS - It Varies with voice types but for Male - Low C to a High F - Simarlarly for Female- Low G to High F