The Most Happy Fella 1956 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: May 3, 1956

The Most Happy Fella - 1956 - Broadway History , Info & More

Broadway Theatre (Broadway)
1681 Broadway New York, NY

Based on the film "They Knew What They Wanted" by Sidney Howard.

Frank Loesser, composer/lyricist of ?Guys and Dolls,? scored his greatest artistic triumph with this touching, dramatic and intensely personal love story about a middle-aged vintner, Tony, whose mail-order marriage proposal is accepted under the girl?s mistaken assumption a photo of his young, handsome foreman is her intended husband.BRBRHer hurt and humiliation when she learns the truth, as well as a terrible accident which nearly kills Tony as he hurries to meet her, almost ends the relationship before it begins, but a loving understanding blossoms between them during Tony?s long convalescence.

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Terence Archie, J. Bernard Calloway, Audrey Cardwell and Veronica J. Kuehn to Star in GUYS AND DOLLS at The Old Globe; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Jun 16, 2017


The Old Globe today announced the full cast for Guys and Dolls, a musical fable of Broadway.

BrightSide Theatre to Roll the Dice in GUYS & DOLLS
by BWW News Desk - Apr 10, 2017


BrightSide Theatre, Naperville's only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district, wraps up their 6th Season - A Season of Classic Broadway Shows - with the American classic Broadway musical Guys and Dolls.

Cast Announced for THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, Opening in March
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2017


Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino has announced a cast for the company's production of Frank Loesser's semi-operatic musical The Most Happy Fella that includes talents with experience in the world of opera as well as musical theater. Anzevino will direct, with Jeremy Ramey as Music Director, Adam Veness providing scenic design, Bill Morey costumes, James Beaudry choreography, and Courtney Crouse assistant directing.

Laura Osnes and Will Swenson Star in Waterwell's BLUEPRINT SPECIALS, Opening Tonight at the Intrepid
by BWW News Desk - Jan 6, 2017


Waterwell welcomes Broadway regulars, Military veterans, and civilian artists for the Blueprint Specials, presented in association with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival.

THE MOST HAPPY FELLA Opens at Broward Stage Door Theatre
by Carol Kassie - Dec 27, 2016


Stage Door Theatre will follow their recent hit production of Sweet Charity with Frank Loesser's award-winning musical The Most Happy Fella.  The production will open on December 30th, and run through February 5th in the theatre's larger auditorium. 

Robert Sean Leonard, Ken Ludwig, Josh Rhodes Slated for The Old Globe's 2017 Summer Season
by BWW News Desk - Oct 28, 2016


The Old Globe today announced the remaining productions in its 2017 Summer Season, including a brand-new comedy, Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood!, and a Summer Shakespeare Festival lineup featuring Robert Sean Leonard in the title role of the towering history play Richard II, directed by Erica Schmidt. Shakespeare's exhilarating tragedy Hamlet follows, directed by Old Globe Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, one of the leading American authorities on the works of Shakespeare.

Laura Osnes and Will Swenson to Star in Waterwell's BLUEPRINT SPECIALS Musicals at Under the Radar 2017
by BWW News Desk - Oct 25, 2016


Waterwell announced today the revival of the Blueprint Specials, a series of lost WWII-era musicals composed principally by Broadway legend Frank Loesser to be presented in association with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival. The production will star Tony Award nominees Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde) and Will Swenson (Hair) and be directed by Drama Desk nominee Tom Ridgely.

BRIGHT STAR Choreographer Josh Rhodes to Helm GUYS AND DOLLS at The Old Globe Next Summer
by BWW News Desk - Sep 8, 2016


The Old Globe today announced the first production of its 2017 Summer Season: Guys and Dolls, a musical fable of Broadway. Based on the stories and characters by Damon Runyon, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, Guys and Dolls will be directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, returning to the Globe after the great successes of Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, which he directed, and Bright Star, which he choreographed.

Theo Ubique Announces 2016-17 Season
by Tyler Peterson - May 27, 2016


Theo Ubique's upcoming season, announced today by Artistic Director Fred Anzevino (left), will include four productions of critically acclaimed works that are likely to be new to most Chicago audiences. The season will begin on September 23rd with the Chicago premiere of a 2015 Drama Desk nominee for Outstanding Musical - the off-Broadway hit Fly by Night, to be directed by Anzevino with music direction by Jeremy Ramey (below left). It will be followed in December by the Chicago premiere of Honky Tonk Angels - a book musical by Always... Patsy Cline writer Ted Swindley incorporating some of country music's greatest hits into a story of three women who form a country music singing trio.

42nd Street Moon to Conclude 23rd Season with THE MOST HAPPY FELLA
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 15, 2016


42nd Street Moon concludes its 23rd season with Frank Loesser's glorious Napa Valley romance, the Tony Award-winning THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. This masterpiece with book, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed in Business …, Where's Charley?) is an unconventional and sweepingly romantic love story set in the vineyards of Napa Valley. Considered one of Loesser's greatest works, the stunning score includes "The Most Happy Fella," "Standing on the Corner," "Joey, Joey, Joey," "Rosabella," "Big D," "My Heart Is So Full of You" and "Song of a Summer Night." Directed by Cindy Goldfield, with musical direction by Dave Dobrusky, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA will run April 27 - May 17, 2016 (Press opening: Saturday, April 30) at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco. For tickets ($25-$75) or more information, the public may call (415) 255-8207 or visit www.42ndstmoon.org. 

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 2/10/16- THE MOST HAPPY FELLA
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 10, 2016


Today in 1959, The Most Happy Fella opened at City Center where it ran for 16 performances. With a book, music, and lyrics by Frank Loesser, the story isabout a romance between an older man and younger woman, is based on the play They Knew What They Wanted by Sidney Howard. The original Broadway production opened in 1956 and ran for 14 months. A 1992 revival, directed by Gerald Guttierrez, featured Spiro Malas as Tony, Sophie Hayden as Rosabella, Charles Pistone as Joe, Claudia Catania as Marie, Liz Larsen as Cleo, and Scott Waara as Herman.

Catholic University to Present THE MOST HAPPY FELLA
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 6, 2015


Audiences will be swept away by a tale of comedy and romance this month as the Musical Theatre Division of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music presents its fall production, The Most Happy Fella.

Jess Goldstein, Douglas W. Schmidt & More to Receive 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 3, 2015


Tony Award-winning costume designer, JESS GOLDSTEIN (currently represented on Broadway with Jersey Boys and On the Town), and scenic designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT are among the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Goldstein was selected to receive the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Schmidt will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 2/10/15- THE MOST HAPPY FELLA
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 10, 2015


Today in 1959, The Most Happy Fella opened at City Center where it ran for 16 performances. With a book, music, and lyrics by Frank Loesser, the story isabout a romance between an older man and younger woman, is based on the play They Knew What They Wanted by Sidney Howard. The original Broadway production opened in 1956 and ran for 14 months. A 1992 revival, directed by Gerald Guttierrez, featured Spiro Malas as Tony, Sophie Hayden as Rosabella, Charles Pistone as Joe, Claudia Catania as Marie, Liz Larsen as Cleo, and Scott Waara as Herman.

Palm Beach Dramaworks Extends Frank Loesser's THE MOST HAPPY FELLA In Concert, Now Through 8/3
by Courtnie Mele - Jul 24, 2014


On the heels of overwhelming critical acclaim and passionate audience response, Palm Beach Dramaworks has scheduled additional performances of Frank Loesser's achingly romantic musical The Most Happy Fella, starring William Michals. Originally slated to close on Sunday, July 27, the concert production will now continue at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre (201 Clematis) through Sunday, August 3.

Palm Beach Dramaworks Presents THE MOST HAPPY FELLA in Concert, Now thru 7/27
by BWW News Desk - Jul 18, 2014


Love blooms in Napa Valley for an aging, unprepossessing grape farmer and a young, world-weary waitress in Frank Loesser's achingly romantic The Most Happy Fella, opening tonight, July 18 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. William Michals, who triumphed in the title role of last season's Man of La Mancha, returns to Palm Beach Dramaworks to play the Italian immigrant farmer Tony Esposito in this concert production.

Palm Beach Dramaworks to Present THE MOST HAPPY FELLA in Concert, 7/18-27
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 24, 2014


Love blooms in Napa Valley for an aging, unprepossessing grape farmer and a young, world-weary waitress in Frank Loesser's achingly romantic The Most Happy Fella, opening Friday, July 18 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. William Michals, who triumphed in the title role of last season's Man of La Mancha, returns to Palm Beach Dramaworks to play the Italian immigrant farmer Tony Esposito in this concert production. The show, which runs through July 27, is directed by Clive Cholerton, with musical direction by Howard Breitbart.

Photo Coverage: Inside the Closing Night Party for Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA!
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Apr 7, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella concluded its limited run last night, April 6. Starring Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson,Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey and Kevin Vortmann, The Most Happy Fella was directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Rob Berman. BroadwayWorld was there for the closing night party and you can check out photo coverage below!

BWW Reviews: THE MOST HAPPY FELLA Is Sublimely Sung and Acted
by Michael Dale - Apr 6, 2014


Encores! serves up Frank Loesser's superb score with a 38 piece orchestra and an excellent cast.

Review Roundup: Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA - All the Reviews!
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 4, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella opened earlier this week on April 2. The production stars Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson,Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey and Kevin Vortmann. The Most Happy Fella is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Rob Berman. The production will run until April 6th.

Photo Coverage: Go Inside Opening Night of Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA!
by Walter McBride - Apr 3, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella opened last night. The production stars Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson,Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey andKevin Vortmann. The Most Happy Fella is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction byRob Berman. The Most Happy Fella will run until April 6th.

Photo Flash: First Look at Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA with Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson & More!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 2, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella, running for seven performances beginning tonight, April 2 - 6, 2014, is set to star Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson,Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey and Kevin Vortmann. The Most Happy Fella is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Rob Berman. BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a first look at the cast in action below!

TV: Watch Highlights of Laura Benanti, Cheyenne Jackson & More in Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 2, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella, running for seven performances beginning tonight, April 2 - 6, 2014, is set to star Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson, Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey and Kevin Vortmann. The Most Happy Fella will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Rob Berman. BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a sneak peek at the production below!

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA - Laura Benanti, Cheyenne Jackson, Shuler Hensley & More!
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 26, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella, running for seven performances, April 2 - 6, 2014, is set to star Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson, Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey and Kevin Vortmann. The Most Happy Fella will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Rob Berman. The company met the press last week, but you can check out the first photos of the whole cast together below!

TV: Meet the Company of Encores! THE MOST HAPPY FELLA- Plus a Performance Preview!
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 25, 2014


The New York City Center Encores! production of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella, running for seven performances, April 2 - 6, 2014, is set to star Laura Benanti, Shuler Hensley, Cheyenne Jackson, Heidi Blickenstaff, Brian Cali, Bradley Dean, Zachary James, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Jessica Molaskey and Kevin Vortmann. The Most Happy Fella will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music direction by Rob Berman. The company met the press earlier today, and below you can check out interviews with the cast, plus a special performance preview!

The Most Happy Fella FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Most Happy Fella have there been?
The Most Happy Fella has had 12 productions including Broadway which opened in 1956, Broadway which opened in 1956, Broadway which opened in 1959, Broadway which opened in 1959, West End which opened in 1960, Broadway which opened in 1979, Broadway which opened in 1979, Off-Broadway which opened in 1991, Broadway which opened in 1992, Broadway which opened in 1992, Off-Broadway which opened in 2006 and Off-Broadway which opened in 2014.
What awards has The Most Happy Fella been nominated for?
The Most Happy Fella has been nominated for the Performance category at the Theatre World Awards. Susan Johnson was nominated for this award.
What awards has The Most Happy Fella won?
The Most Happy Fella has won the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Susan Johnson.

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