The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd | |
---|---|
Productions | 1964 UK tour 1965 Broadway |
The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by
Synopsis
Resembling a
History
With this project, Bricusse and Newley had hoped to match the success of their 1962 hit Stop the World – I Want to Get Off. The show opened at Theatre Royal in Nottingham on 3 August 1964,[1] and then toured the UK in anticipation of a London opening. Cocky was played by Norman Wisdom; Sir by Willoughby Goddard; The Kid by Sally Smith; The Girl by Dilys Watling; The Negro by Cy Grant; and Elaine Paige made her first professional appearance on stage in the chorus.[1]
However, audience interest was minimal, and it never reached the West End. American theatre producer
After seven previews, the Broadway production, directed by Newley and choreographed by Gillian Lynne, opened on 16 May 1965 at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 231 performances. The cast included Newley as Cocky; Cyril Ritchard as Sir; Sally Smith from the UK production repeating her role as The Kid; Joyce Jillson as The Girl; and Gilbert Price as The Negro.[1] Conductor Herbert Grossman served as music director.
Song list
|
|
Song recordings
In addition to Bennett, Newley and
Many artists have covered "Feelin' Good," including Nina Simone, Michael Bublé, Muse, Traffic, and Freda Payne, among others.
"
The main theme song for the Miss Venezuela beauty pageant from the early 1970s until 2008 used the tune from "A Wonderful Day Like Today".
In 2017, Ritchard's recording of "Wonderful Day" was prominently featured in the first episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
“Look at that Face” was recorded by Barbra Streisand for her album, “Color Me Barbra.” It has also been recorded by Anthony Newley, Sammy Davis Jr, and Carmen McRae.
Awards and honors
Original Broadway production
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1965 | Tony Award
|
Best Producer
|
David Merrick | Nominated |
Best Original Score | Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse | Nominated | ||
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
|
Cyril Ritchard | Nominated | ||
Best Direction of a Musical | Anthony Newley | Nominated | ||
Best Scenic Design | Sean Kenny | Nominated | ||
Best Costume Design | Freddy Wittop | Nominated | ||
Theatre World Award | Joyce Jillson | Won |
References
- ^ a b c "The Roar of the Greasepaint & the Smell of the Crowd", The Guide to Musical Theatre, retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "The Roar of the Greasepaint -- The Smell of the Crowd: Original Broadway Cast Recording". allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "RCA Caster Jumps Gun." Music Business 9:3 (6 March 1965), 3; article gives Webster Hall recording date of 28 February.
- Open a New Window: The Broadway Musical in the 1960s by ISBN 0-312-23952-1)