Merlin 1983 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: February 13, 1983
Closing: August 07, 1983

Merlin - 1983 - Broadway History , Info & More

Mark Hellinger Theatre
237 West 51st St. New York, NY

Merlin was a musical based on a concept by popular illusionist Doug Henning and Barbara De Angelis, written by Richard Levinson and William Link, with music (and incidental music) written by Elmer Bernstein and lyrics by Don Black.



Merlin opened on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on February 13, 1983 and closed on August 7, 1983 after 199 performances and 69 previews. It was directed by Ivan Reitman and choreographed by Christopher Chadman and Billy Wilson. The cast included Henning as Merlin, Chita Rivera as an evil sorceress and, in supporting roles, newcomer Nathan Lane and a young Christian Slater.

Get Merlin Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

REPRISE 2.0 Season Starts with SWEET CHARITY Directed By Kathleen Marshall; VICTOR/VICTORIA and GRAND HOTEL to Follow
by Julie Musbach - Mar 8, 2018


REPRISE 2.0 is now announced, presenting a season of three classic American musicals at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, by Marcia Seligson, Producing Artistic Director of the new performing arts organization.  REPRISE 2.0 is partnering with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT), chaired by Brian Kite. 

Philadelphia Chosen for Premiere of TRADING PLACES: THE MUSICAL
by BWW News Desk - Sep 2, 2016


The classic 1983 movie, Trading Places, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykyroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis is getting a makeover, and Philadelphia has been chosen as the city for its 2016 premiere. The film brought issues of social conciousness to a wide audience and through the lens of comedy.

Philadelphia Chosen for Premiere of TRADING PLACES: THE MUSICAL
by BWW News Desk - Sep 1, 2016


The classic 1983 movie, Trading Places, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykyroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis is getting a makeover, and Philadelphia has been chosen as the city for its 2016 premiere. The film brought issues of social conciousness to a wide audience and through the lens of comedy.

BWW Review: Charming CATS Revival Is Packed With Terrific Performances
by Michael Dale - Jul 31, 2016


Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn's lightly-plotted adaptation of T.S. Eliot's collection of poems is full of frisky pleasures.

Letting the Memory Live Again- How CATS Became a Phenomenon
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 31, 2016


The marquee in front of the Neil Simon Theatre encourages passersby to 'let the memory live again.' It's been almost thirty-four years since Grizabella, Mistoffelees and Rum Tum Tugger first bowed on Broadway, and now in 2016, the jellicles are back with a vengence. The impact that the show has had on audiences has been famously polarizing, and yet few other musicals in Broadway history have achieved greater success and notoriety than Cats.

Broadway Sound Designer Abe Jacob to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Live Design Awards
by Tyler Peterson - May 18, 2016


Legendary theatrical sound designer Abe Jacob will be honored for his pioneering career achievements at the Live Design Awards on Monday, June 13 in New York. Another legendary icon, Chita Rivera, will present the award to Jacob, whom she has known since the original Broadway production of CHICAGO (1975).

Philadelphia Chosen for Premiere of TRADING PLACES: THE MUSICAL
by Sally Henry Fuller - Jan 25, 2016


The classic 1983 movie, Trading Places, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykyroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis is getting a makeover, and Philadelphia has been chosen as the city for its 2016 premiere. The film brought issues of social conciousness to a wide audience and through the lens of comedy.

Nathan Lane Narrates New York Philharmonic's New Year's Eve Concert Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Dec 31, 2015


Tony Award-winning star of theater, film, and television Nathan Lane joins this year's edition of the New York Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve celebration, LA VIE PARISIENNE, narrating Saint-Saens's CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS.

VIDEO: Broadway's Edmund Lyndeck, SWEENEY TODD's Original Judge Turpin, Reported Dead at 90
by Michael Dale - Dec 17, 2015


The beloved character actor also originated roles in 1776, MERLIN and INTO THE WOODS

Nathan Lane to Narrate New York Philharmonic's New Year's Eve Concert
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 16, 2015


Tony Award-winning star of theater, film, and television - will join this year's edition of the New York Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve celebration, La Vie Parisienne, narrating Saint-Sae?ns's Carnival of the Animals. Conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, the performance will also feature pianists Inon Barnatan, the Philharmonic's Artist-in-Association, and Makoto Ozone.

Cast Set for Sam Shepard's THE LATE HENRY MOSS at Southwark Playhouse
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 20, 2015


Two brothers, Earl and Ray, travel to Bernalillo New Mexico upon the mysterious death of their estranged father, Henry. Over a bottle of bourbon and a box of old photographs, they try to reconcile their very different childhood memories. Earl's version of Henry's death doesn't add up; so Ray determines to find the truth.  As Ray plays detective we encounter Henry's bizarre collection of friends as the story of his last days is uncovered. Family tensions are blown apart as Ray discovers more than he'd bargained for…

New Fantasy Novel THE DARK TIDES is Released
by Christina Mancuso - Mar 31, 2015


NEWPORT NEWS, Va.

Broadway Babies - Meet the Broadway Class of 2014, Fall Edition!
by BWW Special Coverage - Aug 26, 2014


In the coming months, Broadway will welcome a fresh crop of productions- many of which will mark the Broadway debuts for a slew of talented actors. Whether they are fresh faces or established stars, these Broadway babies will soon take their very first bows on the grandest stages in the world. Meet all of the Great White Way's newest stars below, and be sure to let us know who you're most looking forward to seeing onstage!

VIDEO: Megan Mullally to Join Matthew Broderick & Nathan Lane in Broadway's IT'S ONLY A PLAY This Fall!
by Caryn Robbins - Jun 3, 2014


During the appearance, Mullally shared that she will be starring in a new comedy by Terrance McNally.

Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane to Reunite in IT'S ONLY A PLAY on Broadway This Fall; Jack O'Brien to Direct!
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2014


The New York Times reports that THE PRODUCERS stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane will reunite in a new version of Terrence McNally's IT'S ONLY A PLAY, directed by Jack O'Brien and opening on Broadway in September 2014. No word yet on where the show will run.

BURTON AND TAYLOR Among BBC America's Fall Programming
by Caryn Robbins - Sep 12, 2013


BBC AMERICA announces Fall Preview

BBC America Announces 2013-14 Season Premiere Dates for ATLANTIS, ORPHAN BLACK, RIPPER STREET & More
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 25, 2013


BBC AMERICA's General Manager, Perry Simon, made the following announcements during the channel's presentation for the Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills.

THE WAFFLE PALACE Returns to Horizon Theatre, Beginning Today
by BWW News Desk - Jan 11, 2013


After a sold-out world premiere production last summer, Larry Larson and Eddie Levi Lee's The Waffle Palace: Smothered, Covered and Scattered 24/7/365 returns to Horizon Theatre for an open run starting tonight, January 11, 2013. ArtsATL praised the show as "an easy-to-eat mixture of the funny, familiar, corny, nostalgic, and odd," perfect for theatre-goers and Waffle House regulars alike.

THE WAFFLE PALACE Returns to Horizon Theatre, Beginning 1/11
by BWW News Desk - Nov 30, 2012


After a sold-out world premiere production last summer, Larry Larson and Eddie Levi Lee's The Waffle Palace: Smothered, Covered and Scattered 24/7/365 returns to Horizon Theatre for an open run starting January 11, 2013. ArtsATL praised the show as "an easy-to-eat mixture of the funny, familiar, corny, nostalgic, and odd," perfect for theatre-goers and Waffle House regulars alike.

Sally Burgess Directs Verdi, UK Premiere of Lord Berners Comedy, and More at Dorset Opera Festival, Now thru 28 July
by BWW News Desk - Jul 25, 2012


The Dorset Opera Festival expands its programme to three productions this year. Its annual festival again features an international line-up of opera stars in the stately surroundings of Bryanston's glorious 400 acres near Blandford Forum in the heart of Dorset.

Sally Burgess Directs Verdi, UK Premiere of Lord Berners Comedy, and More at Dorset Opera Festival, 25-28 July
by BWW News Desk - Jun 20, 2012


The Dorset Opera Festival expands its programme to three productions this year. Its annual festival again features an international line-up of opera stars in the stately surroundings of Bryanston's glorious 400 acres near Blandford Forum in the heart of Dorset.

RED VELVET, ARABIAN NIGHTS & More Set for Indhu Rubasingham's First Tricycle Programme
by James T Harding - Jun 18, 2012


Indhu Rubasingham has announced her inaugural season at The Tricycle, which will launch with the World Premiere of Red Velvet, written by Lolita Chakrabarti with Adrian Lester in the role of Ira Aldridge; followed by The Tricycle's first festive family show, The Arabian Nights, written by Mary Zimmerman and adapted from The Book Of The Thousand Nights and One Night. In 2013, The Tricycle present an Eclipse Theatre production of One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, by Don Evans, followed by another World Premiere: Paper Dolls, written by Philip Himberg and adapted from the award-winning documentary by Tomer Heymann, produced by Stanley Buchthal.

Peter Gill Returns To Cardiff To Direct Chekov's A Provincial Life
by BWW News Desk - Mar 17, 2012


Peter Gill, returns to his native city with a portrait of provincial life in 1890s Russia. Based on Chekhov's short story, A Provincial Life follows one young man's struggle to exchange his privileged position for the life of a worker.

Peter Gill Returns To Cardiff To Direct Chekov's A Provincial Life
by BWW News Desk - Mar 1, 2012


Peter Gill, returns to his native city with a portrait of provincial life in 1890s Russia. Based on Chekhov's short story, A Provincial Life follows one young man's struggle to exchange his privileged position for the life of a worker.

Merlin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Merlin have there been?
Merlin has had 2 productions including Broadway which opened in 1983 and Broadway which opened in 1983.
What Tony Awards has Merlin been nominated for?
Merlin has been nominated for the following Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for Ivan Reitman, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Elmer Bernstein.
What awards has Merlin been nominated for?
Merlin has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Projection Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Doug Henning, Charles Reynolds, Glen Priest, Jim Steinmeyer, John Gaughan, and Robin Wagner.

Videos