Dames at Sea 1968

Ages: 8+
Opened: December 20, 1968
Closing: May 10, 1970

Dames at Sea - 1968 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Bouwerie Lane Theatre
330 Bowery New York, NY

One of the most unique musicals ever created, the original production of DAMES AT SEA pulled off the feat of creating a magnificent musical extravaganza experience with a tight, multi-talented cast of six. DAMES AT SEAopened Off-Broadway at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre on December 20, 1968, and became an immediate smash hit and quickly transferred to the Theater de Lys on April 22, 1969, were it went on to run for 575 performances. The production starred a young ingénue named Bernadette Peters as Ruby, launching the career of one of Broadway's greatest stars. DAMES AT SEA successfully crossed the Atlantic twice to play the West End's Duchess Theatre in 1969 and again in 1989 to play the West End's Haymarket Theatre.



Directed and choreographed by the three-time Tony Award-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner, DAMES AT SEA is a tap-happy, navy-crazy celebration of the golden era of movie musicals with a heart as big as the ocean! Ruby steps off a bus from Utah and into her first Broadway show, but hours before the opening night curtain is to rise, the cast learns their theater is being demolished. Ruby and the cast, with the help of some adoring sailors, set a plan in motion to perform the show on a naval battleship. Featuring rollicking tap dancing, love at first sight, joyful music and a boatload of laughs, this glittering musical extravaganza has everything you need to sweep your glooms away.

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by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 28, 2023


See photos of the opening of Golden Rainbow at The York Theatre!

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by A.A. Cristi - Sep 27, 2023


The York Theatre Company has released first look photos of the cast and creative team for its production of Golden Rainbow, with book by Ernest Kinoy and music and lyrics by Walter Marks, the third offering of the Fall 2023 “Musicals in Mufti” series. Performances begin Saturday afternoon, September 23, 2023 and continue for 11 performances only through Sunday, October 1, 2023.

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by A.A. Cristi - Sep 20, 2023


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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 14, 2023


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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 8, 2022


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by Stephi Wild - Jul 14, 2020


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VIDEO: Bernadette Peters Visits Backstage LIVE with Richard Ridge
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - Jul 14, 2020


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Celebrate LGBT Landmark Caffe Cino Tomorrow Night on Zoom!
by A.A. Cristi - May 17, 2020


Join the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project for #DamesAtHome, a virtual celebration of the birthplace of Off-Off-Broadway and a haven for pioneering gay theater: the Caffe Cino.

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DAMES AT SEA Opens June 15 At Sierra Madre Playhouse
by Julie Musbach - May 8, 2019


Ruby gets off the bus from Utah with 'nothing but tap shoes in her suitcase and a prayer in her heart.' As fate would have it, she is immediately cast in the chorus of a Broadway show. When the theatre is forced to close, Ruby's songwriting sailor boyfriend persuades the Captain of his ship to allow the show to move on deck. Voila! Dames at sea! When the show's lead gets seasick, Ruby may have to go on for her. Will Ruby come back a star? Do you need to ask?

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by BWW News Desk - Jan 24, 2019


Throughout her illustrious career, Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert, and on recordings. The McCallum Theatre presents Bernadette Peters, with Marvin Laird, Musical Director, today, January 24, at 8:00pm.

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP BERNADETTE! Multiple Tony Winner Bernadette Peters Lights Up The McCallum
by David Green - Jan 2, 2019


Throughout her illustrious career, Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert, and on recordings. The McCallum Theatre presents Bernadette Peters, with Marvin Laird, Musical Director, on Thursday, January 24, at 8:00pm.

VIDEO: San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon Presents DAMES AT SEA
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 29, 2018


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by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2018


San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) has announced the full cast and creative team for Moon's 2018 Holiday production, the hilarious 1930s pastiche musical DAMES AT SEA. DAMES AT SEA features a book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, and music by Jim Wise. 42nd Street Moon's production runs from November 28 - December 16, 2018 and will perform at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre (formerly the Eureka Theatre). The press opening will take place on Saturday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $30 - $75 and can be purchased through the Box Office at (415) 255-8207 or online at www.42ndstmoon.org.  

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by Julie Musbach - Mar 6, 2018


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by BWW News Desk - Dec 2, 2017


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Dames at Sea FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Dames at Sea have there been?
Dames at Sea has had 14 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1968, Off-Broadway which opened in 1968, Off-Broadway which opened in 1969, West End which opened in 1969, Off-Broadway which opened in 1970, Regional (US) which opened in 1970, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1973, Regional (US) which opened in 1985, Off-Broadway which opened in 1985, Off-Broadway which opened in 1985, West End which opened in 1996, Off-Broadway which opened in 2004, Off-Broadway which opened in 2004 and Broadway which opened in 2015.

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