I’m currently listing a large number of playbills from out-of-town tryouts prior to the Broadway runs. Many are from early performances when revisions were common and include song titles that were cut before opening in New York. (See cut songs below.) ……. This is a rare July 25th, 1966 playbill from the Pre-Broadway tryout of the EDWARD PADULA, OSCAR BRAND and PAUL NASSAU musical flop “A JOYFUL NOISE” at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Devon, Pennsylvania. (Following a lengthy Pre-Broadway tour, the production would open December 15th, 1966 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City and close after only twelve performances.) ….. The musical starred the late JOHN RAITT and featured SWEN SWENSON, DONNA McKECHNIE (who would be replaced out-of-town by SUSAN WATSON), JAMES RADO (replaced out-of-town by CLIFFORD DAVID), ALAN LOUW (replaced out-of-town by GEORGE MATHEWS), MITZIE WELCH (replaced initially by GAY EDMOND and later by KAREN MORROW), LELAND PALMER, ART WALLACE, BAAYORK LEE, TOMMY “Tom” TUNE, JACK FLETCHER, STUART MANN, WINSTON DeWITT HENSLEY and THE MOTLEY CREW ….. Side Note: The production went through major alterations during its Pre-Broadway tour, most notable in the number of cast changes. DONNA McKECHNIE was replaced by SUSAN WATSON. JAMES RADO (co-author of the Rock Musical “HAIR” the following season) was replaced by CLIFFORD DAVID and MITZI WELCH’s role was taken over by GAY EDMOND who was later replaced by KAREN MORROW. The show’s book, originally by EDWARD PADULA was re-written by DORE SCHARY who also took over directing duties from BEN SHAKTMAN. The only real redeeming value in the show was its choreography – the first Broadway Musical with dances staged by MICHAEL BENNETT (“A Chorus Line”) ….. CREDITS: Music and Lyrics by OSCAR BRAND and PAUL NASSAU; Book by EDWARD PADULA based on the novel “The Insolent Breed” by BORDEN DEAL; Sets designed by PETER WEXLER; Costumes designed by PETER JOSEPH; Choreographed by MICHAEL BENNETT; Directed by
John Raitt “A JOYFUL NOISE” Donna McKechnie / Michael Bennett 1966 FLOP Playbill
Pinned on May 4, 2015 at 6:53 pm by Jerome Blay
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