Anyone Can Whistle 1964 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: April 4, 1964

Anyone Can Whistle - 1964 - Broadway History , Info & More

Majestic Theatre (Broadway)
245 West 44th St. New York, NY

A legendary cult show, this wacky, intelligent, highly unconventional musical satire points ahead to Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking work in the 1970s even as it keeps a foot firmly rooted in the musical theatre's "golden age."brbrAn absurdist fantasy by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim (two of the authors of "West Side Story" and "Gypsy") "Anyone Can Whistle" tells the story of a corrupt mayoress who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town (through the resulting pilgrim trade) and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse out to expose the fraud and the easy-going doctor determined to enjoy the chaos it brings. In the end, the show delivers a poignant message about the importance of the individual in a conformist society-but not before aiming its still-relevant barbs at government, religion, science and anything else that stands in its way!brbrWith its circus-like atmosphere, "Anyone Can Whistle" features plenty of memorable, lovably cartoonish roles of all sizes. The dazzling, melodic Broadway-style score overflows with the youthful energy of experimentation, consisting of one showstopper after another, including two extensive ballets which provide opportunities for some inspired choreography.

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Dame Angela Lansbury Passes Away at 96
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 11, 2022


Dame Angela Lansbury has passed away at 96 Read our complete obituary here. Lansbury made her Broadway debut in 1957 in Hotel Paradiso, followed by A Taste of Honey (1960), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), and in Mame (1966), winning her first Tony. She was the star of 'Murder, She Wrote,' the longest running detective drama series in the history of television.

Amanda Green, Jason Robert Brown, and Tom Kitt Will Discuss Stephen Sondheim at the NYPL Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 29, 2022


Amanda Green (Mr. Saturday Night), and composers Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years) and Tom Kitt (Almost Famous) will appear in conversation about Stephen Sondheim at the New York Public Library on October 17.

Jason Robert Brown, Jeanine Tesori, Tom Kitt & More to Lead Dramatists Guild Talks in Celebration of Sondheim
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2022


This fall, in collaboration with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the Dramatists Guild will present two special programs that celebrate the legacy of acclaimed songwriter (and past Guild Council president) Stephen Sondheim, including his advocacy work on behalf of his fellow writers.

The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company's Youth Repertory Ensemble Presents ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
by Stephi Wild - Jul 1, 2022


The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company will celebrate the culmination of this year's Youth Repertory Ensemble program with their production of “Anyone Can Whistle” July 28-31, 2022. 

Angela Lansbury Will Receive Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement
by Team BWW - May 23, 2022


The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced today that legendary actress and five-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury will receive the 2022 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

San Francisco Playhouse Announces Cast For FOLLIES Opening June 30
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2022


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022. Bill English will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer. This marks the first fully staged professional production of Follies in San Francisco.

Pasadena Playhouse Announces 2022/2023 Season Featuring Six-Month Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse has announced the 2022/2023 Season featuring a six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim.  The State Theater of California’s Sondheim Celebration will begin in January 2023 and extend into June.  Find out what shows are included and the full schedule.

Natascia Diaz, Ryan Drummond & More to Star in FOLLIES at San Francisco Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 18, 2022


San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022.

Porchlight Announces Cast of CHICAGO SINGS STEPHEN SONDHEIM, May 23
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2022


Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the current roster of music theatre and cabaret talent performing in this year’s annual Chicago Sings fundraising concert, Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim, Monday, May 23, at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

VIDEO: First Look at ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at Southwark Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Apr 13, 2022


Footage has been released from the new London production of Arthur Laurents’ and Stephen Sondheim’s rarely produced 1964 musical ‘Anyone Can Whistle’.

BWW Review: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, Southwark Playhouse
by Abbie Grundy - Apr 6, 2022


Stephen Sondheim's and Arthur Laurents 1964 political satire is given a modern spin by director Georgie Rankom in this high-energy production. Let's see what BWW's critic had to say...

VIDEO: Cynthia Erivo, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt & Leslie Odom Jr. Sing Sondheim For the GRAMMYs In Memoriam
by Michael Major - Apr 4, 2022


Cynthia Erivo, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt, and Leslie Odom Jr. took to the stage at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards to sing the music of Stephen Sondheim for the In Memoriam. The medley performance included 'Not a Day Goes By,' 'Send in the Clowns,' and 'Somewhere.' Watch the complete performance now!

Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler Will Honor Stephen Sondheim at the Grammys
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2022


A special tribute to Stephen Sondheim will take place during this year's Grammy Awards, Variety reports. Sung by Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler, the performance will be part of the show's traditional In Memoriam segment, which honors those we have lost in the past year.

VIDEO: Remembering Stephen Sondheim and Celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber on Their Shared Birthday
by Stephi Wild - Mar 22, 2022


Today, BroadwayWorld is remembering Stephen Sondheim, and celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber, both of whom share March 22nd as their birthday!

Rosalie Craig, Julian Ovenden, and More Join Sondheim at OLD FRIENDS Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 17, 2022


This May 3, stars of the West End will gather to salute the legacy of the legendary Stephen Sondheim at a gala performance titled, Old Friends.

Sunday Morning Michael Dale: THE BAKER'S WIFE Sublimely Returns and ANYONE CAN WHISTLE's Satire Remains Uncomfortably Relevant
by Michael Dale - Mar 13, 2022


This week I saw productions of two decades-old musicals, each written by one of theatre's great composer/lyricists, which, in their original productions, ran a combined total of nine performances on Broadway.

BWW Review: MasterVoice'S ANYONE CAN WHISTLE Elevates a Sondheim Flop at Carnegie Hall
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 11, 2022


If Anyone Can Whistle must be a concert, please, let it be a concert like this. MasterVoices, an organization dedicated to elevating choral works, brought the show to Carnegie Hall for a one-night engagement. They masterfully adapted the show as a scaled-down concert version, dropping any bells and whistles.

Photos: Vanessa Williams, Santino Fontana, Elizabeth Stanley, and More in ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at Carnegie Hall
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2022


The performance starred Vanessa Williams in the role of a corrupt mayor of a small economically depressed American town. Joining her were Elizabeth Stanley, Tony Award winner Santino Fontana, Douglas Sills, Eddie Cooper, and Michael Mulheren. The show was narrated by Joanna Gleason. It was directed and conducted by MasterVoices Artistic Director Ted Sperling.

VIDEO: In Rehearsals for ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at Carnegie Hall
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 10, 2022


Tonight, March 10, 2022, the concert production of MasterVoices' performance of Anyone Can Whistle, takes the stage at ​​​​​​​ Carnegie Hall. The performance will star Vanessa Williams, who performed in the 2002 Broadway revival of Sondheim's Into the Woods and the 2010 revue Sondheim on Sondheim, in the role of a corrupt mayor of a small economically depressed American town.

Bernadette Peters, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, and More to Celebrate Stephen Sondheim at OLD FRIENDS Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 3, 2022


This May 3, stars of the West End will gather to salute the legacy of the legendary Stephen Sondheim at a gala performance titled, Old Friends.

VIDEO: JEOPARDY Features 'Remembering Stephen Sondheim' Category
by Stephi Wild - Mar 2, 2022


Last night's episode of Jeopardy featured a category called 'Remembering Stephen Sondheim', featuring clues about some of the legendary composer's most notable work.

Final Casting Revealed For New London Production Of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at Southwark Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Feb 18, 2022


Final casting is announced today for the new London production of Arthur Laurents' and Stephen Sondheim's rarely produced 1964 musical 'Anyone Can Whistle'.

Vanessa Williams, Elizabeth Stanley, Santino Fontana & More to Star in ANYONE CAN WHISTLE Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2022


MasterVoices will continue its 2021-22 season celebrating its 80th anniversary on Thursday, March 10 at Carnegie Hall with a concert staging of the cult-favorite musical, Anyone Can Whistle by Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents.

WATCH: Library of Congress Releases Unseen Stephen Sondheim Interviews
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 2, 2022


The Library of Congress has released hours of previously unseen interviews with late composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim discusses Into the Woods, Assassins,  Sunday in the Park With George, Sweeney Todd and more. 

MOMENTS A Musical Celebration of Stephen Sondheim Announced at Trinity Street Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 20, 2022


City Theatre Austin presents a special one-weekend performance event honoring Stephen Sondheim - the giant, the genius, who revolutionized musical theatre as its most influential writer and composer.

Anyone Can Whistle FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Anyone Can Whistle have there been?
Anyone Can Whistle has had 9 productions including Broadway which opened in 1964, Broadway which opened in 1964, Off-Broadway which opened in 1974, Off-Off-Broadway which opened in 1980, London Fringe which opened in 2003, Regional (US) which opened in 2003, Regional (US) which opened in 2004, Regional (US) which opened in 2005 and Regional (US) which opened in 2005.
What Tony Awards has Anyone Can Whistle been nominated for?
Best Choreography for Herbert Ross.

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