On the Twentieth Century
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| On the Twentieth Century | |
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| Original poster artwork | |
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| Music | Cy Coleman |
| Lyrics | Betty Comden Adolph Green |
| Book | Betty Comden Adolph Green |
| Based upon | Play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur 1934 Film Twentieth Century Charles Bruce Millholland's unproduced play Napoleon of Broadway |
| Productions | 1978 Broadway 1980 West End |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Book Tony Award for Best Original Score Drama Desk Outstanding Music |
On the Twentieth Century is an award-winning musical with book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Cy Coleman. Part operetta, part farce, part screwball comedy, the story involves the behind-the-scenes relationship of a temperamental actress and a director.
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[edit] Background
The musical is based on three works—the 1934 Howard Hawks film Twentieth Century; the original 1932 play of the same name by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur; and Hecht's and MacArthur's inspiration, Charles Bruce Millholland's unproduced play about his experiences working for theater producer David Belasco, Napoleon of Broadway. Coleman's music often evokes the movement of a train with its rhythms and instrumentation. At times it echoes the chase music that used to accompany Mack Sennett's silent comedies, and traces of operatic Kurt Weill and romantic Jacques Brel can be heard as well.
[edit] Synopsis
Egomaniacal producer Oscar Jaffee is involved in a volatile personal and professional relationship with temperamental film actress Lily Garland (née Mildred Plotka). On the skids after four flops in a row, and with his theater in foreclosure, Jaffee books a suite on the luxury train the 20th Century Limited, since he knows that among his fellow passengers are Garland and her new beau, narcissistic matinee heartthrob Bruce Granit. As the train leaves Chicago for New York City, he hopes to lure the now train-captive Garland back to the stage — his stage — and to salvage his sinking career. Garland, who abhors her former Svengali-like mentor, is just as determined to escape his charms, and a battle of wits begins. A subplot involves religious fanatic Letitia Primrose, as she implores one and all to "repent."
[edit] Productions
The Broadway production, directed by Hal Prince and choreographed by Larry Fuller, opened on February 19, 1978 at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 449 performances. The opening night cast included John Cullum, Madeline Kahn, Imogene Coca, and Kevin Kline.
Very early in the run, Kahn departed the show. The New York Times reported, on April 25, 1978, that Kahn had left the show the day before, and "she said she was withdrawing because of damage to her vocal cords." [1] She was replaced by understudy Judy Kaye, who had been playing a small supporting role, and the critics were invited to return. According to the New York Times, "Judy Kaye replaced Madeline Kahn...and bang, boom, overnight she is a star." [2] They praised her performance, and Kaye's theatrical career took off. She later starred in the US tour opposite Rock Hudson.
A London production starring Keith Michell, Julia McKenzie, and Dora Bryan opened on March 19, 1980, at Her Majesty's Theatre, The Haymarket and ran for 165 performances.
[edit] Songs
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[edit] Awards and nominations
- Tony Award for Best Musical (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (winner)
- Tony Award for Best Original Score (winner)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Cullum, winner)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Kahn, nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Kline, winner)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Coca, nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Scenic Design (winner)
- Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominee)
- Theatre World Award (Kaye, winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Kaye, nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Kline, winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design (winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design (winner)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by Annie by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin |
Tony Award for Best Original Score 1978 by Cy Coleman |
Succeeded by Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim |
| Preceded by Annie by Thomas Meehan |
Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical 1978 by Betty Comden and Adolph Green |
Succeeded by Sweeney Todd by Hugh Wheeler |
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