House of Flowers (musical)
| House of Flowers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Music | Book Truman Capote | |
| Basis | Truman Capote's short story "House of Flowers" | |
| Productions | 1954 Broadway 1968 off-Broadway | |
House of Flowers is a musical by Harold Arlen (music and lyrics)[1] and Truman Capote (lyrics and book). A short story of the same name was published in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958).
Synopsis
The story concerns two neighboring
bordellos that battle for business in an idealized Haitian
setting. One of the sex workers, Ottilie, turns down a rich lord to marry a poor mountain boy named Royal. Her madam plots to keep her by having Royal sealed in a barrel and tossed into the ocean. Royal escapes the watery death by taking refuge on the back of a turtle. The lovers are eventually married and live happily ever after.
Production history
This was Capote's first musical, and was the first theatrical production outside of
steel pan. It was produced by Saint Subber who was also responsible for Kiss Me, Kate and seven plays by Neil Simon
.
In the early 1950s Truman Capote became further involved in the performing arts. He was approached once again by producer
Alvin Theatre and played for 165 performances. The director was Peter Brook. The cast included Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll, Juanita Hall, Ray Walston, Carmen de Lavallade, Alvin Ailey, Mary Mon Toy, and Geoffrey Holder (who also provided a section of choreography and went on to direct the 1992 revival starring Patti LaBelle[2]). Most of the original orchestral score by Ted Royal has been lost, but the piano score survives.[3]
Reception and legacy
Although the show received generally poor reviews, the dance-rhythm infused score has been praised for its mix of blues and calypso.
Tony Award for Best Scenic Design.[4]
In 2003,
Enid Mosier), "Ottilie and the Bee" (Truman Capote), and "A Sleepin' Bee" (a demo recording by Harold Arlen).[5]
Revivals
There was an unsuccessful
Theater de Lys.[6] In 2003, there was an Encores! production, starring Tonya Pinkins and Armelia McQueen as the battling bordello madams and Maurice Hines as Captain Jonas, the smuggler. The virginal Ottilie was played by Nikki M. James, and the mountain boy, Royal, was played by Brandon Victor Dixon. Roscoe Lee Browne
played the voodoo priest, Houngan.
Musical numbers
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References
- ^ "House of Flowers (Original Broadway Cast Recording)". Presto Music.
- ^ "Mechanic adds LaBelle in 'House of Flowers'". Baltimore Sun.
- ^ "Original Orchestrations for House of Flowers Reported Lost, So Encores! Will Perform New Ones". TheaterMania.
- ^ "Winners". Tony Awards.
- ^ "House of Flowers (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - Pearl Bailey, Original Broadway Cast | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ "House of Flowers". Time. February 9, 1968.
