Based on the screenplay Nights of Cabiria by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Flaiano
Debuting on Broadway in 1966, Sweet Charity was a collaboration between some of Broadway's most spectacular talents. Cy Coleman's music effortlessly captures the rhythms and sounds, and Dorothy Fields lyrics the vernacular and fascination of the underground scene, in iconic musical numbers such as Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, and There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This. Neil Simon's razor-sharp script lifts the veil on the exquisite agony of living on the under-side of life. The legendary Bob Fosse directed and choreographed the original production, and was largely responsible for the musical's distinctive and lasting identity.
Like the rest of you, I've spent this week obsessing over 'Fosse Verdon' on FX and especially Gwen Verdon, played brilliantly on the series by Michelle Williams, in a performance that makes you want to reinvestigate what made Gwen so great. Sweet Charity is the perfect place to start. Gwen became a star and won her first Tony in a featured role in Can Can and she gained worldwide acclaim (and number 2 in a total of four Tonys) as Lola in Damn Yankees on stage and screen and of course there were many other shows and movies and TV appearances, but Sweet Charity was the show Bob Fosse (and Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields and Neil Simon) created just for her. She may have lost the Tony to Angela Lansbury in Mame, but Gwen got that iconic poster and all those songs.
I recently rang her up to catch up on life and stuff and then thought to ask if we might schedule some time together to talk about Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Donna had first hand experience with both brilliant talents and at two very different times in her career. We also chatted about the upcoming FX Series, which would have friends and colleagues both onscreen and behind the scenes. F
FX's 'Fosse/Verdon' premieres April 9! In honor of the anticipated new series, BroadwayWorld is flashing back to some of our archive photos of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Check them out below!
Storyhouse in Chester has announced the cast for The Little Shop of Horrors taking place at the multi-award-winning venue from 10 May - 2 June.
Anka Palitz, The Actors Fund National Ambassador Vice Chair and founder of the Heart & Soul Gala was honored at the Gala's 10th Anniversary in Palm Beach at The Breakers last night, along with Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Ethan Stiefel, Principal guest instructor at the American Ballet Theatre. Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer/dancer Bebe Neuwirth hosted The Actors Fund event which featured performances by local Florida dancers.
BARNUM, one of Broadway's most treasured musicals, returns to Australia in an all-new spectacular production. From visionary director Tyran Parke, this new production will play an exclusive engagement at Melbourne's most intimate professional musical theatre venue, the Comedy Theatre for a strictly limited time from April 27 2019.
Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre (PLT) continues 'chasing the dream' with the 3rd installment to Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy, Broadway Bound. Simon has won three Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and has been nominated for four Academy Awards for his various plays and screenwritings. He has written over 30 plays and during the 1967 Broadway Season had four of his plays in production at the same time (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Sweet Charity, and The Star-Spangled Girl). In 1987, Broadway Bound received four nominations for the Best Play and Drama Desk Award, was a nominee for the Tony Award Best Play, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.
Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre (PLT) continues 'chasing the dream' with the 3rd installment to Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy, Broadway Bound. Simon has won three Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and has been nominated for four Academy Awards for his various plays and screenwritings. He has written over 30 plays and during the 1967 Broadway Season had four of his plays in production at the same time (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Sweet Charity, and The Star-Spangled Girl). In 1987, Broadway Bound received four nominations for the Best Play and Drama Desk Award, was a nominee for the Tony Award Best Play, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.
The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that has served all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry since 1882, today announced that Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer/dancer Bebe Neuwirth will serve as Celebrity Host/Emcee at the 10th anniversary Heart & Soul Gala that will be held on Thursday, March 14, at 7 pm, at The Breakers in Palm Beach.
Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Ring in the New Year with Aaron Tveit at Feinstein's/54 Below, and more!
BARNUM, one of Broadway's most treasured musicals, returns to Australia in an all-new spectacular production. From visionary director Tyran Parke, this new production will play an exclusive engagement at Melbourne's most intimate professional musical theatre venue, the Comedy Theatre for a strictly limited time from April 27 2019.
JAG Productions joins full-ship African-American music festival at sea with its production of the profound jazz musical, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.
Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: The Prom begins previews on Broadway, and more!
BARNUM, one of Broadway's most treasured musicals, returns to Australia in an all-new spectacular production. From visionary director Tyran Parke, this new production of a favourite Broadway classic, originally starring Jim Dale and Glenn Close, followed by a London West End production starring legendary Michael Crawford will play an exclusive engagement at Melbourne's most intimate professional musical theatre venue, the Comedy Theatre for a strictly limited time from April 2019.
Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth brings an evening of Stories & Song with Piano to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, November 10 at 8pm, part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway & Cabaret Series.
The Broadway community mourns the loss of Neil Simon, who passed away on August 26 at age 91. The Committee of Theatre Owners has decided to dim the lights of Broadway theatres in his memory on Thursday, August 30 at exactly 6:45pm for one minute.
BroadwayWorld is sad to report that legendary playwright Neil Simon has died at 91.
The Mercury Theatre Colchester today announces the world premiere of Nick Perry's Moll Flanders, adapted from the novel by Daniel Defoe. The production, directed by Ryan McBryde opens on 28 September at the Mercury, and runs until 13 October.
Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.
Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.
REPRISE 2.0 (led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson), in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, presents its inaugural production of Sweet Charity. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, the classic Broadway hit plays through July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Take a look at photos from the show's opening night below!
Casting is now complete for the inaugural REPRISE 2.0 production of Sweet Charity. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the classic Broadway hit plays from June 20 to July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.
Single tickets are now on sale for the inaugural REPRISE 2.0 production of Sweet Charity. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the classic Broadway hit plays from June 20 to July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. REPRISE 2.0 is led by producing artistic director Marcia Seligson.
Bristol Riverside Theatre ends its mainstage season triumphantly with the farcical period-piece musical Triumph of Love, based on the play by Marivaux, with book by James Magruder, music by Jeffrey Stock, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead on May 1-20. Directed by Keith Baker, music directed by Douglass Lutz, and choreographed by Stephen Casey, the ensemble cast features Jake Delaney, Joy Franz, Adam Hoyak, Alex Keiper, Rebecca Robbins, Danny Rutigliano, and Carl Wallnau.
1966 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1967 | West End |
London Production West End |
1986 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1998 | West End |
London Revival West End |
2005 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2006 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
2010 | West End |
Menier Chocolate Factory Revival West End |
2016 | Off-Broadway |
The New Group Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
2019 | West End |
Donmar Warehouse London Revival West End |
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