Copacabana (musical)
Encyclopedia
Copacabana is a TV-musical
, stage musical, and nightclub show written by Barry Manilow
, based on the song of the same name
. The show toured the United States and, as of 2006, became available to license to performing companies and schools for the first time.
approached Manilow and cowriters Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, and persuaded them to develop a musical film around their popular song, "Copacabana
."
The made-for-TV film, directed by Waris Hussein
and written for television by James Lipton
, was aired on CBS
television on December 3, 1985. In this version, Annette O'Toole's Lola was from Chicago
, Illinois. In future adaptations the character's origin changes.
The album produced from the movie is titled Copacabana: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album.
Songs debuting in the movie version:
The principal cast of the 1985 film:
The movie was nominated in 1986 for two Emmy Awards in the categories of "Outstanding Achievement in Choreography," by Grover Dale
, and won in the category of "Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program."
Circus Maximus Theatre in Atlantic City
"Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana" starring Sean Sullivan as Tony/Stephen and Hillary Turk as Lola. It ran from September 1990 to June 1991 and had a cast of 20 singers and dancers which Manilow directed, with a script and song score created by Manilow and his longtime collaborators Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman. The music track to this version of the show leaned heavily on the 1985 movie soundtrack. The show played to over 100,000 people in its first six months and received rave reviews as the "must-see casino show" in Atlantic City. From this adaptation on forward the character Lola was from Tulsa, Oklahoma
as stated in the beginning of "Just Arrived".
Unreleased Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana Cast Recording
Side One
Side Two
+ = Songs debuting in this version
++ = Song debuted in 1988 Big Fun on Swing Street CBS television special
in Plymouth, England. It also played Manchester, Edinburgh and then London's West End
at the Prince of Wales Theatre
from June 23, 1994 to September 9, 1996. It followed with a UK tour for an additional year.
This adaptation originally starred Gary Wilmot
as Tony/Stephen and Nicola Dawn as Lola.
An original cast album of this production was released, titled Copacabana: Original London Cast Recording
.
with choreography by Wayne Cilento
. Pittsburgh and Dallas were the first two engagements of a US national that ran from June 2000 through May 2001. The cast included Franc D'Ambrosio
as Tony, Darcie Roberts as Lola, Terry Burrell as Conchita, Philip Hernandez as Rico, Beth McVey as Gladys and Gavin MacLeod
(followed by Dale Radunz) as Sam.
, Sweden, in the fall of 2005. The songs were translated to Swedish by actor John Martin Bengtsson http://www.johnmartin.nu, who played Stephen/Tony in the show.
His imagination takes him back to 1947 as he creates a story surrounding an ambitious young singer Lola la Mar who arrives in New York City from Tulsa hoping to become a star. Meanwhile Tony Forte, a 1947 incarnation of Stephen, is attempting to make it as a songwriter while tending bar at the famous Copacabana Nightclub. Tony instantly falls for Lola as she wanders into the Copacabana. He, along with former "Copa Girl" Gladys, introduce her to the owner of the club Sam Silver, to get her a job as a new Copa Girl. The two try to make it in New York in their respective fields, but do not find it easy. After Tony helps Lola improve a song written by her former music teacher, Sam gives her a job as a Copa Girl at his club. The two fall in love, as Tony writes a song for Lola as she listens.
Stephen's voice can be heard narrating the events as Rico Castelli, an Italian gangster from Cuba, enters the Copacabana with the now-waning star Conchita Alvarez. Sam confronts Rico about the disappearance of Copa Girls each time he comes to the club, and demands he leave. However, Rico, armed with thugs, is able to stay long enough to meet and develop an interest in Lola la Mar. He drugs her and flies her back to Havana, Cuba, to star in his own nightclub -the Tropicana.
In Havana, Rico informs Conchita that she will be replaced by a new, younger actress: Lola. Conchita, frustrated and upset, goes to Lola in order to "welcome" her. Back at the Copacabana, Tony, Sam, and Gladys learn that Lola was kidnapped and taken to Cuba. Tony immediately heads to save her, and Sam, after some convincing from Gladys, agrees to help him. Conchita, initially intending to threaten Lola, finds that she is truly a victim, and instead treats her with sympathy. Stephen can be seen again, this time expressing his love for the troubled Lola, while also sharing his lament for she is merely a figment of his imagination.
Tony and Sam, now in Cuba, find Conchita and asks her for her help. She agrees, and pretends to guide Lola to become her replacement, while telling her to play along. Near the end of the Tropicana performance of "El Bravo," Tony runs on stage, reunited with Lola once again. However, Rico is close behind, waving a gun, and points the barrel at Tony. A single gunshot is heard, and Rico falls to the floor. Conchita, saving Tony and Lola from the perils she faced for years, shot her love Rico to his death.
Tony and Lola are finally reunited and go back happily to the Copacabana.
Back in the present, Stephen has finished his song. His wife, Samantha, is urging him to dress for their anniversary dinner. Stephen realizes that Lola was simply an incarnation of his wife, and finds he has a new sense of love for her. Her parents, who were the base for the characters Sam and Gladys, also appear, and he realizes his imagination had simply morphed reality into something a bit more elaborate.
1947
Audition Montage Scene
occasionally cut from the mix Mermaids Tale
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
, stage musical, and nightclub show written by Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
, based on the song of the same name
Copacabana (song)
"Copacabana", also known as "Copacabana ", is a 1978 song which was sung by Barry Manilow and written by Jack Feldman, Barry Manilow, and Bruce Sussman.-Song information:...
. The show toured the United States and, as of 2006, became available to license to performing companies and schools for the first time.
"Copacabana" TV film (1985)
The television project began when Dick ClarkDick Clark (entertainer)
Richard Wagstaff "Dick" Clark is an American businessman; game-show host; and radio and television personality. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he has sold part of in recent years...
approached Manilow and cowriters Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, and persuaded them to develop a musical film around their popular song, "Copacabana
Copacabana (song)
"Copacabana", also known as "Copacabana ", is a 1978 song which was sung by Barry Manilow and written by Jack Feldman, Barry Manilow, and Bruce Sussman.-Song information:...
."
The made-for-TV film, directed by Waris Hussein
Waris Hussein
Waris Hussein is a British-Indian television director and film director best known for his many productions for British television....
and written for television by James Lipton
James Lipton
James Lipton is an American writer, poet, composer, actor and dean emeritus of the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. He is the executive producer, writer and host of the Bravo cable television series Inside the Actors Studio, which debuted in 1994...
, was aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television on December 3, 1985. In this version, Annette O'Toole's Lola was from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois. In future adaptations the character's origin changes.
The album produced from the movie is titled Copacabana: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album.
Songs debuting in the movie version:
- "Sweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again)" - Tony
- "Changing My Tune" - Tony
- "Let's go Steppin'" - Copa Girls
- "Man Wanted" - Lola
- "Call Me Mr. Lucky" - Tony
- "Lola" - Tony
- "Who Needs To Dream" - Tony
- "¡Aye Caramba!" - Copa Girls
- "El Bravo" - Lola
The principal cast of the 1985 film:
- Barry ManilowBarry ManilowBarry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
Tony Starr - Annette O'TooleAnnette O'TooleAnnette O'Toole is an American actress, dancer, and singer-songwriter. She is most recently known for portraying Martha Kent, the mother of Clark Kent on the television series Smallville.-Early life and career:...
Lola Lamar - Estelle GettyEstelle GettyEstelle Scher-Gettleman , better known by her stage name Estelle Getty, was an American actress, who appeared in film, television, and theatre...
Bella Stern - James T. CallahanJames T. CallahanJames Thomas Callahan was an American film and television actor who appeared in more than 120 films and television shows between 1959 and 2007...
Dennis Riley - Andra Akers Pamela Devereaux
- Silvana GallardoSilvana GallardoSilvana Gallardo is an American actress.She has been mostly active in television. Her credits include: Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, Lou Grant, Quincy, Hill Street Blues, Cagney and Lacey, Falcon Crest, Trapper John M.D., The Golden Girls, Knots Landing, MacGyver, LA Law, Babylon 5, ER and NYPD Blue...
Conchita Ramon - Joseph BolognaJoseph BolognaJoseph Bologna is an American actor.-Life and career:Bologna was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Brown University, where he majored in art history. After a hitch with the marines, Bologna was hired to produce and direct Manhattan-based TV commercials.The actor has a long history in film...
Rico Castelli - Ernie SabellaErnie SabellaErnest "Ernie" Sabella is an American actor, who is best known for his role as the official voice of Pumbaa from the The Lion King.-Life and career:...
Sam Gropper
The movie was nominated in 1986 for two Emmy Awards in the categories of "Outstanding Achievement in Choreography," by Grover Dale
Grover Dale
Grover Dale is an American actor, dancer, choreographer and theatre director.-Early years:Dale was born Grover Robert Aitken in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Ronal Rittenhouse Aitken, a restaurateur, and Emma Bertha Ammon...
, and won in the category of "Outstanding Directing in a Variety or Music Program."
Atlantic City stage show (1990-1991)
It was next developed into an hour-long show for CaesarsCaesars Atlantic City
Caesars Atlantic City is a luxury hotel, casino, and spa resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, it has an ancient Roman theme. Atlantic City's second casino, it opened in 1979 as the Caesars Boardwalk Regency. The . casino has over 3,400 slot machines, and is one of...
Circus Maximus Theatre in Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
"Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana" starring Sean Sullivan as Tony/Stephen and Hillary Turk as Lola. It ran from September 1990 to June 1991 and had a cast of 20 singers and dancers which Manilow directed, with a script and song score created by Manilow and his longtime collaborators Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman. The music track to this version of the show leaned heavily on the 1985 movie soundtrack. The show played to over 100,000 people in its first six months and received rave reviews as the "must-see casino show" in Atlantic City. From this adaptation on forward the character Lola was from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
as stated in the beginning of "Just Arrived".
Unreleased Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana Cast Recording
Side One
- "Overture" (from 1985 movie)
- "Copacabana" (1978 Barry Manilow version)
- +"Just Arrived" - Lola
- ++"Dancin Fool" - Copa Girls
- "Let's Go Steppin" - Copa Girls
- "Man Wanted" - Lola
- "Lola/Who Needs To Dream" - Tony
- Copa Writing Rico - Stephen
- "!Aye Caramba!" - Copa Girls
Side Two
- +"Bolero de Amor" - Rico
- "Sweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again)" - Tony
- +"Welcome To Havana" - Conchita
- "Mermaids Tale"
- "El Bravo" - Lola and Tropicana cast
- "Who Needs To Dream" (reprise)
- Copa Finale
- "Copacabana 1985" (from soundtrack sung by Barry Manilow)
+ = Songs debuting in this version
++ = Song debuted in 1988 Big Fun on Swing Street CBS television special
Stage musical UK (1994-1996)
In 1994, the one-hour show was expanded into a three million dollar full-length musical. It premiered on March 21, 1994 at Theatre RoyalTheatre Royal, Plymouth
The Theatre Royal in Plymouth, Devon, England is "the largest and best attended regional producing theatre in the UK and the leading promoter of theatre in the south west", according to Arts Council England...
in Plymouth, England. It also played Manchester, Edinburgh and then London's West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
at the Prince of Wales Theatre
Prince of Wales Theatre
The Prince of Wales Theatre is a West End theatre on Coventry Street, near Leicester Square in the City of Westminster. It was established in 1884 and rebuilt in 1937, and extensively refurbished in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, its current owner...
from June 23, 1994 to September 9, 1996. It followed with a UK tour for an additional year.
This adaptation originally starred Gary Wilmot
Gary Wilmot
Gary Wilmot is an English actor, writer, comedian, impressionist and singer. He rose to fame in the 80s through a number of television appearances, and subsequently moved into theatre.- Career :...
as Tony/Stephen and Nicola Dawn as Lola.
An original cast album of this production was released, titled Copacabana: Original London Cast Recording
Copacabana: Original London Cast Recording (album)
Copacabana: Original London Cast Recording is the original cast album for the London show of Copacabana, a full-length West End musical that opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 23 June 1994...
.
Stage musical US (2000)
The UK stage musical adaptation, also known as Barry Manilow's Copacabana: A New Musical Comedy, had its American premiere at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (Pittsburgh CLO) in 2000 followed by a run as part of the Dallas Summer Musical season. The book is by Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman; lyrics by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, and music by: Barry Manilow. Direction was by David WarrenDavid Warren (director)
David Warren is an American theatre and television director.-Theatre:Warren has a number of Broadway production directing credits to his name, including Holiday, Summer and Smoke and Misalliance...
with choreography by Wayne Cilento
Wayne Cilento
Wayne Louis Cilento is an American dancer and choreographer. He is best known for originating the role of "Mike" in the Broadway show A Chorus Line, and later becoming one of Broadway's most prolific choreographers.-Early life:...
. Pittsburgh and Dallas were the first two engagements of a US national that ran from June 2000 through May 2001. The cast included Franc D'Ambrosio
Franc D'Ambrosio
Franc D'Ambrosio , is an American singer and actor, best known for his role in the stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He also played the adult Anthony Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part III.Affectionately known as Phantom's "The Iron Man of The Mask", Franc D'Ambrosio...
as Tony, Darcie Roberts as Lola, Terry Burrell as Conchita, Philip Hernandez as Rico, Beth McVey as Gladys and Gavin MacLeod
Gavin MacLeod
Gavin MacLeod is an American actor most notable for playing Happy Haines on McHale's Navy, Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat...
(followed by Dale Radunz) as Sam.
Stage musical Sweden (2005)
The show was translated to Swedish and set up by Linneateatern http://www.linneateatern.se at VäxjöVäxjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
, Sweden, in the fall of 2005. The songs were translated to Swedish by actor John Martin Bengtsson http://www.johnmartin.nu, who played Stephen/Tony in the show.
Synopsis
The story follows Stephen, a young aspiring songwriter, as he composes what he hopes will become a hit musical.His imagination takes him back to 1947 as he creates a story surrounding an ambitious young singer Lola la Mar who arrives in New York City from Tulsa hoping to become a star. Meanwhile Tony Forte, a 1947 incarnation of Stephen, is attempting to make it as a songwriter while tending bar at the famous Copacabana Nightclub. Tony instantly falls for Lola as she wanders into the Copacabana. He, along with former "Copa Girl" Gladys, introduce her to the owner of the club Sam Silver, to get her a job as a new Copa Girl. The two try to make it in New York in their respective fields, but do not find it easy. After Tony helps Lola improve a song written by her former music teacher, Sam gives her a job as a Copa Girl at his club. The two fall in love, as Tony writes a song for Lola as she listens.
Stephen's voice can be heard narrating the events as Rico Castelli, an Italian gangster from Cuba, enters the Copacabana with the now-waning star Conchita Alvarez. Sam confronts Rico about the disappearance of Copa Girls each time he comes to the club, and demands he leave. However, Rico, armed with thugs, is able to stay long enough to meet and develop an interest in Lola la Mar. He drugs her and flies her back to Havana, Cuba, to star in his own nightclub -the Tropicana.
In Havana, Rico informs Conchita that she will be replaced by a new, younger actress: Lola. Conchita, frustrated and upset, goes to Lola in order to "welcome" her. Back at the Copacabana, Tony, Sam, and Gladys learn that Lola was kidnapped and taken to Cuba. Tony immediately heads to save her, and Sam, after some convincing from Gladys, agrees to help him. Conchita, initially intending to threaten Lola, finds that she is truly a victim, and instead treats her with sympathy. Stephen can be seen again, this time expressing his love for the troubled Lola, while also sharing his lament for she is merely a figment of his imagination.
Tony and Sam, now in Cuba, find Conchita and asks her for her help. She agrees, and pretends to guide Lola to become her replacement, while telling her to play along. Near the end of the Tropicana performance of "El Bravo," Tony runs on stage, reunited with Lola once again. However, Rico is close behind, waving a gun, and points the barrel at Tony. A single gunshot is heard, and Rico falls to the floor. Conchita, saving Tony and Lola from the perils she faced for years, shot her love Rico to his death.
Tony and Lola are finally reunited and go back happily to the Copacabana.
Back in the present, Stephen has finished his song. His wife, Samantha, is urging him to dress for their anniversary dinner. Stephen realizes that Lola was simply an incarnation of his wife, and finds he has a new sense of love for her. Her parents, who were the base for the characters Sam and Gladys, also appear, and he realizes his imagination had simply morphed reality into something a bit more elaborate.
Characters
The Present Day- Stephen A young songwriter, who doubles as Tony in 1947
- Samantha Stephen's's wife, who doubles as Lola La Mar in 1947
1947
- Tony Forte Young, good-looking and talented. A struggling songwriter by day, by night he works at the Copacabana.
- Lola la Mar A young, pretty girl with misguided ambitions to become a Broadway star.
- Gladys Murphy A cheeky, warm-hearted cigarette girlCigarette girl (person)Cigarette girl refers to a person that sells or provides cigarettes from a tray held by a neck strap. They may also carry cigars, and many novelty items like lighted roses, lighted jewelry, and lighted yoyo's on their trays....
at the Copacabana. - Sam Silver The gruff but kind manager of the Copacabana.
- Rico Castelli An elegant but dangerous gangster who manages The Tropicana in Havana.
- Conchita Alvarez A Latina bombshell of the first order and Rico's long-suffering partner/girlfriend.
- McManus A New York cop of Irish descent.
- Willie A waiter at the Copacabana.
- Carlos A tropicana performer
- Luis Rico's enforcer and bodyguard
- Skip The house choreographer at the Copacabana.
- Maitre D' The Snooty Headwaiter/host of the Copacabana.
- Coat Check Girl Works at the Copacabana.
- Piano Accompanist
- Messers Hammerstein, Rodgers, Lerner, Lowe Audition Lola for musicals
- A Back-of-the-House Voice Plays various show writers, producers, a record producer
- Mr. Brill A music publisher
- Another Music Publisher Non-speaking
- Announcer At The Tropicana
- Pirate Captain At The Tropicana, in El Bravo
- Veronica LakeVeronica LakeVeronica Lake was an American film actress and pin-up model. She received both popular and critical acclaim, most notably for her role in Sullivan's Travels and her femme fatale roles in film noir with Alan Ladd during the 1940s, and was well-known for her peek-a-boo hairstyle...
Non-speaking - Her Escort Non-speaking
- x3 Bolero Couples
- Chorus Show Girls, Show Boys, Copa Girls, Copa Boys, Tropicana Boys, Tropicana Girls, Copa Guests, Tropicana Guests, Pirates, Pirettes, Cops, Waiters, Busboys, Sailors, Fancy Gents, Thugs, Auditioners, Commuters, Porters, Rosie the Riveter, a Nurse, a WAC, a WAVE, a Salvation Army Sergeant
Musical numbers
- Overture - Orchestra
- Copacabana - Stephen, Company
- Just Arrived - Lola, Alice, Iris, Women
- Dancin’ Fool - Tony, Tim, Marcel, Copa Boys
- Sweet Heaven - Tony, Tim, Marcel, Tricia, Misty
Audition Montage Scene
- How Can I Ever Thank You? - Tim
- The Jingle - Tony, Tricia, Misty
- The Audition - Lola
- Changin’ My Tune - Tony
- When You’re A Copa Girl - Gladys
- Man Wanted - Lola
- Who Needs To Dream? - Tony, Women
- I Gotta Be Bad - Lola, Tricia, Misty, Copa Girls
- Bolero De Amor - Rico, Small Chorus of Bolero Couples
- Welcome To Havana - Conchita, Chorus
- ¡Ay Caramba! - Conchita, Carmen, Chorus
- Havana?! - Sam, Willie, McManus, Gladys,Tony
- Who Am I Kidding? - Sam, Willie, McManus, Gladys, Tricia, Misty
- Who Am I Kidding? (reprise) - Gladys, Willie, McManus, Tricia, Misty
- This Can’t Be Real - Lola, Stephen
- El Bravo :melos - Carlos
- Mermaids Tale - Conchita, Carmen, Pirettes
- El Bravo - Lola, Pirate Captain, Tony, Pirates, Pirettes
- Who Needs To Dream? (reprise) - Stephen, Samantha
- Copacabana Finale - Stephen, Company
occasionally cut from the mix Mermaids Tale