13 Daughters

13 Daughters was a short-lived Broadway musical with book, music and lyrics by Eaton Magoon, Jr., starring Don Ameche. It played for 28 performances in 1961.

Plot

Set in 19th century Hawaii, the plot involves a Chinese merchant, Chun, and Hawaiian princess, Emmaloa, who wed and have 13 daughters. A prophecy predicts the daughters will not be married until the couple's 13 calabash trees bloom. Tradition dictates the oldest daughter must be the first to marry, but she is more interested in missionary work and no tree has yet blossomed. Soon the daughters' luck will change, however, despite the prophecy.[1]

Productions

After a month-long tryout in Philadelphia and one preview on Broadway, 13 Daughters opened on March 2, 1961, at the 54th Street Theatre in New York, and closed on March 25, 1961, after 28 performances.[1] The large cast included Don Ameche as Chun, Monica Boyar as Emmaloa, Sylvia Syms, Richard Tone, Stanley Grover, George Lipton, Gina Viglione, John Battles, Isabelle Farrell, Diana Corto, Ed Kenney and many others. Billy Matthews directed and Rod Alexander was the choreographer.[2]

The show was nominated for two Tony Awards, for Pembroke Davenport as Conductor and Musical Director, and George Jenkins as Scenic Designer (Musical).[1]

There was also at least one production in Hawaii, and a cast album of that production was recorded on Mahalo Records as HCCA Presents 13 Daughters (ASIN: B001FRO9X6).

References

  1. 1 2 3 Broadwayworld.com, accessed November 17, 2015
  2. ↑ Playbill, accessed November 17, 2015

External links


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