Me and Juliet

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Me and Juliet
Music Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Oscar Hammerstein II
Book Oscar Hammerstein II
Producer(s) Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Director George Abbott
Choreographer Robert Alton
Scenic designer Jo Mielziner
Costume designer Irene Sharaff

Me and Juliet is a 1953 musical comedy written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is generally considered one of their least successful collaborations, and ran for only 358 performances. Me and Juliet uses the show-within-a-show framework, also known as a backstage musical. To date, no major commercial revival of the show has ever been attempted.

Contents

[edit] Background

As many writers have noted, Rodgers and Hammerstein found their greatest success in eschewing social and theatrical convention. Me and Juliet lacked these dramatic innovations and also suffered from mediocre music and lyrics, of which only one song, No Other Love, has become a standard. Ironically, this hit's melody was completely unoriginal, having originated as a theme for an episode of Rodgers's soundtrack to the television series Victory at Sea.[1] Some critics have judged Me and Juliet's score harshly, calling it "downright banal," while at least one original cast member points out that Rodgers and Hammerstein were purposely attempting to parody musical comedy songs with corny lyrics, bad rhymes, and uncomfortably high chorus parts.[2]

[edit] Plot

The show-within-the-show is also titled "Me and Juliet" and stars famous literary heroes and heroines: Juliet, Don Juan, and Carmen, alongside an everyman named "Me." The main characters includes the chorus singers Jeanie (played in the original Broadway cast by Isabel Bigley) and Larry, the assistant stage manager (Bill Hayes). A love triangle develops when Jeanie's ex-boyfriend, Bob, a lighting technician, becomes jealous of the couple who have been secretly married. Drama ensues and is happily resolved.

[edit] Production History

Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals typically first performed tryouts in New Haven, CT but a larger stage was needed to accommodate the elaborate sets, so Me and Juliet played in Cleveland, OH at the Hanna Theatre before transferring to Boston then New York. The musical official opened on Broadway on 28 May 1953. After 358 performances at the Majestic Theatre, the cast began a supposed national tour. However, the show closed after an eight-week stint in Chicago. Me and Juliet was not a financial windfall but it did recoup its investment after about six months. The entire cost of the production, $350,000, was provided by RCA Records in exchange for half the profits and the rights to the cast recording.[3]

[edit] Musical Numbers

Act One

  • A Very Special Day (Jeanie and trio)
  • That's the Way It Happens (Jeanie and trio)
  • Reprise: That's the Way It Happens (Larry)
  • Dance Impromptu (Chorus, George, and trio)
  • Overture to Me and Juliet (Dario and orchestra)
  • Opening of Me and Juliet (Lily, Jim, Susie, and Charlie)
  • Marriage Type Love (Charlie, Lily, and singers)
  • Keep It Gay (Bob, Jim, and chorus)
  • Reprise: Keep it Gay (Betty and Buzz)
  • The Big Black Giant (Larry)
  • No Other Love (Jeanie and Larry)
  • Dance (Ralph, Francine, and Elizabeth)
  • Reprise: The Big Black Giant (Ruby)
  • It's Me (Betty and Jeanie)
  • First Act Finale of Me and Juliet (Lily, Betty, Charlie, Jim, Leanie, and chorus)

Act Two

  • Intermission Talk (Herbie and chorus)
  • It Feels Good (Bob)
  • We Deserve Each Other [Sequence in Second Act of Me and Juliet] (Betty, Jim, and dancers)
  • I'm Your Girl (Jeanie and Larry)
  • Second Act Finale of Me and Juliet (Charlie, Lily, Betty, Jim, and chorus)
  • Finale (company)

[edit] Cast of Characters

The original Broadway cast featured several noted actors including Isabel Bigley (Jeanie), Bill Hayes (Larry), Ray Walston (Mac), George S. Irving (Dario), Joan McCracken (Betty), and Shirley MacLaine (dancing ensemble).

  • GEORGE, 2nd assistant stage manager
  • SIDNEY, electrician
  • JEANIE, chorus singer
  • HERBIE, candy counter boy
  • CHRIS, rehearsal piano player
  • MILTON, drummer
  • STU, bass fiddle player
  • MICHAEL, a churs boy
  • BOB, electrician
  • LARRY, assisstant stage manager
  • MAC, stage manager
  • MONICA, chorus dancer
  • RUBY, company manager
  • CHARLIE (ME), featured lead
  • DARIO, conductor
  • LILY (JULIET), singing principal
  • JIM (DON JUAN), principal dancer
  • SUSIE (CARMEN), principal dancer
  • VOICE OF MR. HARRISON, producer
  • VOICE OF MISS DAVENPORT, choreographer
  • HILDA, an aspirant for a dancing part
  • MARCIA, another aspirant for a dancing part
  • BETTY, successor the Suse as Principal Dancer
  • BUZZ, principal dancer
  • RALPH, alley dancer
  • MISS OXFORD, a bit player
  • SADIE, an usher
  • MILDRED, another usher
  • A THEATRE PATRON
  • ANOTHER THEATRE PATRON
  • ENSEMBLE: company, stage crew, audience

[edit] Endnotes

  1. ^ Rodgers, Richard. Musical Stages: An Autobiography. New York: Random House, 1975. p. 281.
  2. ^ Mariska, Bradley C. "Who Expects a Miracle to Happen Every Day?" University of Maryland, 2004, p. 37.
  3. ^ Fink, Bert. "Pipe Dream," notes accompanying Pipe Dream: Original Broadway Cast Recording. RCA Victor, 1955/1993, p. 10.

[edit] External links


Musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein
Oklahoma! • State Fair • Carousel • Allegro • South Pacific • The King and I • Me and Juliet • Pipe Dream • Cinderella • Flower Drum Song • The Sound of Music • State Fair
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