On the Twentieth Century
On the Twentieth Century | |
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Tony Award for Best Book Tony Award for Best Original Score |
On the Twentieth Century is a
The musical ran on Broadway in 1978–1979, running for 449 performances and winning five Tony Awards. It showcased Madeline Kahn in the role of Lily Garland, and when Kahn left the show, the role launched the career of Judy Kaye. Several revivals followed in London and elsewhere, and a 2015 Broadway revival featured Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher.
Background
Comden and Green based the musical on three works: the 1934 Howard Hawks film Twentieth Century; the original 1932 play of the same name by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur; and Hecht's and MacArthur's inspiration, Charles Bruce Millholland's unproduced play about his experiences working for theater producer David Belasco, Napoleon of Broadway.
Cy Coleman, when asked to compose the score, initially refused. "I didn't want to do twenties pastiche – there was too much of that around," he recalled. "But when I realized the main characters had these larger-than-life personalities, I thought – ah, comic opera! Even the tikka-tikka-tikka patter of a locomotive train has the rhythm of comic opera."[1] Coleman agreed to write the music for the show and produced an operetta-style score reminiscent of the works of Sigmund Romberg and Rudolf Friml.[1]
Plot summary
Act I
In the early 1930s, egomaniacal impresario Oscar Jaffee is on the skids after four flops in a row. His latest show has abruptly closed in Chicago, leaving his angry cast and crew (to whom he owes back salary) "Stranded Again." On the lam, Oscar secretly sends orders to Owen O'Malley and Oliver Webb, his press agent and business manager, to meet him on the Twentieth Century Limited to New York and to get tickets for Drawing Room "A."
On the
In a flashback, Oscar remembers the time he auditioned spoiled actress Imelda Thornton for the leading role in a play. Oscar discovered that the gawky young accompanist, Mildred Plotka, could sing "The Indian Maiden's Lament" much better than Imelda, even finishing with an operatic cadenza. Oscar immediately decided to cast Mildred in the leading role as "Veronique," a French street singer who wouldn't sleep with Otto von Bismarck and thus instigated the Franco-Prussian War. Mildred insisted that she did not want to be an actress, but Oscar convinced her to take the part, renaming her Lily Garland.
The conductor warns the passengers in Drawing Room "A" that a lunatic is on board the train. He then announces, "I Have Written a Play", titled Life on a Train. Oscar sends the conductor away. At
In the
Lily enters Drawing Room "B" in a sexy negligee, and as Bruce and she begin playing, Oscar walks in. Oscar reveals his former relationship with Lily, and Bruce, outraged, walks out. Lily angrily recalls Oscar's jealousy and possessiveness in their former
Act II
In an entr'acte, four porters philosophically declare that "Life Is Like a Train."
Owen, Oliver and Oscar congratulate themselves on obtaining Mrs. Primrose's check for $200,000 ("Five Zeros"). Lily's maid, Agnes, brings Oscar a message: Lily wants to see him immediately. Dr. Johnson detains him, however, declaring, "I Have Written a Play", titled Life in a Metropolitan Hospital. Oscar ignores Dr. Johnson and enters Drawing Room 'B'. Lily tells Oscar that she has decided to give him money to help him with his financial situation. Oscar proudly reveals Mrs. Primrose's check and describes the Mary Magdalene play to Lily. Lily is transfixed and begins acting the part, ending with Oscar's arms around her waist. She jolts back to reality and insists on meeting Mrs. Primrose. Owen and Oliver escort Lily to Drawing Room "A", where they, Mrs. Primrose, and Oscar all attempt to persuade Lily to sign the contract. Bruce enters and tries to convince her not to sign it ("Sextet"). Lily resolves not to live in the past and refuses to sign, deciding to continue in movies with Bruce. Oscar suggests a compromise; if Lily does the play, Mrs. Primrose can pay for the movie too. Lily finds this very exciting and informally agrees. She insists on a few minutes alone before signing the contract.
In
Oscar meets Oliver and Owen in the observation car. He is carrying a gun and insists that he is going to end it all. He details "The
Productions
Following a tryout at the
A London staging, produced by
In 2011,
A Japanese production starring Takahisa Masuda played from March 12 to 31, 2024, at the Tokyu Theatre Orb before moving to Osaka April 5 to 10 at the Orix Theater.[17]
Songs
|
|
Casts
Original Broadway (1978)[18] | Broadway Revival (2015)[19] | |
---|---|---|
Lily Garland (Mildred Plotka) | Madeline Kahn | Kristin Chenoweth |
Oscar Jaffee | John Cullum | Peter Gallagher |
Letitia Primrose | Imogene Coca | Mary Louise Wilson |
Owen O'Malley | George Coe | Mark Linn-Baker |
Oliver Webb | Dean Dittman | Michael McGrath |
Bruce Granit | Kevin Kline | Andy Karl |
Congressman Lockwood | Rufus Smith | Andy Taylor |
Max Jacobs | George Lee Andrews | James Moye |
Conductor Flanagan | Tom Batten | Jim Walton |
Agnes | Judy Kaye | Mamie Parris |
Imelda Thornton | Willi Burke | Paula Leggett Chase |
Dr. Johnson | Linda Mugleston |
Awards and nominations
Original Broadway production
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1978 | Tony Award
|
Best Musical | Nominated | |
Best Book of a Musical | Betty Comden and Adolph Green | Won | ||
Best Original Score | Cy Coleman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green | Won | ||
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
|
John Cullum | Won | ||
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
|
Madeline Kahn | Nominated | ||
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
|
Kevin Kline | Won | ||
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
|
Imogene Coca | Nominated | ||
Best Direction of a Musical | Hal Prince
|
Nominated | ||
Best Scenic Design | Robin Wagner | Won | ||
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Judy Kaye | Nominated | |
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Kevin Kline | Won | ||
Outstanding Music | Cy Coleman | Won | ||
Outstanding Set Design | Robin Wagner | Won | ||
Outstanding Costume Design | Florence Klotz | Won | ||
Theatre World Award | Judy Kaye | Won |
Original London production
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | Laurence Olivier Award
|
Best New Musical | Nominated | |
Best Actress in a Musical | Julia McKenzie | Nominated |
2015 Broadway revival
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Tony Award
|
Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
Best Actress in a Musical | Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | ||
Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Andy Karl | Nominated | ||
Best Scenic Design of a Musical | David Rockwell | Nominated | ||
Best Costume Design of a Musical | William Ivey Long | Nominated | ||
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Kristin Chenoweth | Won | ||
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Andy Karl | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Choreography | Warren Carlyle | Nominated | ||
Drama League Award | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
Distinguished Performance | Kristin Chenoweth | Nominated | ||
Andy Karl | Nominated | |||
Outer Critics Circle Award
|
Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Director of a Musical | Scott Ellis | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Choreographer | Warren Carlyle | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Set Design | David Rockwell | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Costume Design | William Ivey Long | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Peter Gallagher | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Kristin Chenoweth | Won | ||
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Andy Karl | Won | ||
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Mary Louise Wilson | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b Kantor and Maslon, pp. 350–51
- ^ On the Twentieth Century on the Internet Broadway Database
- ^ "Madeline Kahn Leaves 'On Twentieth Century'", The New York Times, April 25, 1978, p. 46
- ^ Corry, John. "Broadway; Terrence McNally has a comedy about stage due in fall", The New York Times, May 5, 1978, p. C2
- ^ "Tour Cast", broadwayworld.com, accessed February 13, 2015
- ^ "Cast" broadwayworld.com, accessed February 13, 2015
- ^ "Production" broadwayworld.com, accessed February 13, 2015
- ^ "Olivier Winners, 1980" Archived 2014-02-27 at the Wayback Machine, olivierawards.com, accessed February 13, 2015
- ^ Windman, Matt. "Review: On the Twentieth Century at the New Amsterdam Theatre", theaterscene.net, accessed February 6, 2011
- ^ "Review" westendwhingers.wordpress.com, 16 December 2010
- ^ Gardner, Lyn. "Review", The Guardian, 5 January 2011
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, Hugh Jackman, Kristin Chenoweth Took Part in Roundabout Readings", Playbill.com, March 7, 2011
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "On the Twentieth Century Revival, Starring Kristin Chenoweth, Extends on Broadway", Playbill, April 30, 2015
- ^ Millward, Tom. "On The Twentieth Century announces complete casting", New York Theatre Guide, November 25, 2014
- ^ McRady, Rachel. "Tony Awards 2015: Complete List of Winners!", Us Weekly magazine, June 7, 2015
- ^ Filichia, Peter. "One of the Best Musicals to Lose Best Musical", Kritzerland.com, March 20, 2015
- ^ "「20世紀号に乗って」本日開幕!増田貴久はベイリー演出の「"ドンピシャなところ"に立てた」と自信". Stage Natalie. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "On the Twentieth Century Broadway @ St. James Theatre – Tickets and Discounts". Playbill. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
- ^ "Inside Playbill Gallery". Playbill. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
Bibliography
- Kantor, Michael and ISBN 0-8212-2905-2