Grind (musical)
Encyclopedia
Grind is a musical
with a book by Fay Kanin
, music by Larry Grossman
, and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh. Grind is a portrait of a largely African-American burlesque house in Chicago
in the Thirties.
The reviews were mixed at best. In his New York Times review, Frank Rich
wrote: "...the show has become a desperate barrage of arbitrary musical numbers, portentous staging devices, extravagant costumes..., confused plot twists and sociological bromides..." "Grind" fared poorly at the box office; "The production was a disaster; the show lost its entire $4.75 million investment, and Prince and three other members of the creative team were suspended by the Dramatists Guild for signing a "substandard contract." 1985 was a bad year for Broadway musicals, and only one hit (Big River
) had emerged by the time Tony nominations were submitted. Since there was little decent competition, "Grind" received a Tony nomination for Best Musical. Ken Mandelbaum
wrote of the season: "The original Big River came along at the end of a dismal season for new musicals, and Leader of the Pack, Quilters, and the fascinating but unworkable Grind posed virtually no competition.
Even critics who hated Grind were impressed by Jones' performance: Frank Rich
wrote: "Miss Jones, in her Broadway debut, is a find - a gifted young performer lacking only a little flash." She received the Tony Award
, the Drama Desk Award
, and the Theatre World Award
as Best Featured Actress in a Musical that year.
Act II
at the Mark Hellinger Theatre
on April 16, 1985 and closed on June 22, 1985 after 71 performances and 25 previews.
Directed by Hal Prince
, set design by Clarke Dunham, costume design by Florence Klotz
, lighting design by Ken Billington
, musical direction by Paul Gemignani
, orchestrations by Bill Byers, additional orchestrations by Jim Tyler and Harold Wheeler, dance music arrangements by Tom Fay, dance music for New Man arranged by Gordon Harrell, with choreography by Lester Wilson
, assistant choreography by Larry Vickers, and hair and make up by Richard Allen.
The cast included Ben Vereen
(Leroy), Stubby Kaye
(Gus), Lee Wallace
(Harry), Joey Faye (Solly), Marion Ramsey
(Vernelle), Hope Clarke
(Ruby), Valarie Pettiford
(Fleta), Candy Brown (Kitty), Wynonna Smith (Linette), Carol Woods
(Maybelle), Sharon Murray (Romaine), Brian McKay (Louis, the Stage Manager), Oscar Stokes (Mike, the Doorman), Leonard John Crofoot
, Timothy Nolen
(Doyle), Donald Acree (Grover), Ruth Brisbane (Mrs. Faye) and Leilani Jones
(Satin the stripper). Knockabouts, Bums, and Toughs portrayed by Leonard John Crofoot, Ray Roderick, Kelly Walters, Steve Owsley, Malcolm Perry.
Theatre World Award
Drama Desk Award
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with a book by Fay Kanin
Fay Kanin
Fay Kanin is an American screenwriter, playwright and producer. Kanin was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1979 to 1983.-Biography:...
, music by Larry Grossman
Larry Grossman (composer)
Larry Grossman is a composer of Broadway musicals, as well as scores for film and television, notably the The Muppet Show.-Career:...
, and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh. Grind is a portrait of a largely African-American burlesque house in 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...
in the Thirties.
The reviews were mixed at best. In his New York Times review, Frank Rich
Frank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
wrote: "...the show has become a desperate barrage of arbitrary musical numbers, portentous staging devices, extravagant costumes..., confused plot twists and sociological bromides..." "Grind" fared poorly at the box office; "The production was a disaster; the show lost its entire $4.75 million investment, and Prince and three other members of the creative team were suspended by the Dramatists Guild for signing a "substandard contract." 1985 was a bad year for Broadway musicals, and only one hit (Big River
Big River (musical)
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a musical with a book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller.Based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it features music in the bluegrass and country styles in keeping with the setting of the novel...
) had emerged by the time Tony nominations were submitted. Since there was little decent competition, "Grind" received a Tony nomination for Best Musical. Ken Mandelbaum
Ken Mandelbaum
Ken Mandelbaum is an American columnist, critic, and author whose primary field of expertise is musical theatre.Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mandelbaum was introduced to Broadway musical theatre by his parents and grandparents at an early age...
wrote of the season: "The original Big River came along at the end of a dismal season for new musicals, and Leader of the Pack, Quilters, and the fascinating but unworkable Grind posed virtually no competition.
Even critics who hated Grind were impressed by Jones' performance: Frank Rich
Frank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
wrote: "Miss Jones, in her Broadway debut, is a find - a gifted young performer lacking only a little flash." She received the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
, the Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
, and the Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
as Best Featured Actress in a Musical that year.
Musical numbers
Act I- This Must Be the Place - Company
- Cadava - Solly, Gus and Romaine
- A Sweet Thing Like Me - Satin and Earle's Pearls
- I Get Myself Out - Gus
- My Daddy Always Taught Me To Share - Leroy
- All Things To One Man - Satin
- The Line - Leroy and Earl's Pearls
- Katie, My Love - Doyle
- The Grind - Gus and Company
- Yes, Ma'am - Doyle
- Why, Mama, Why - Satin and Leroy
- This Crazy Place - Leroy and Company
Act II
- From The Ankles Down - Leroy and Earle's Pearls
- Who Is He - Satin
- Never Put It In Writing - Gus
- I Talk, You Talk - Doyle
- Timing - Romaine and Solly
- These Eyes of Mine - Maybelle and Company
- New Man - Leroy
- Down - Doyle
- A Century Of Progress - Leroy, Satin and Earle's Pearls
- Finale - Company
Productions
It opened on BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Mark Hellinger Theatre
Mark Hellinger Theatre
The Mark Hellinger Theatre is a generally used name of a former legitimate Broadway theater, located at 237 West 51st Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City. Since 1991, it has been known as the Times Square Church...
on April 16, 1985 and closed on June 22, 1985 after 71 performances and 25 previews.
Directed by Hal Prince
Hal Prince
Harold Smith Prince is an American theatrical producer and director associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the past half-century...
, set design by Clarke Dunham, costume design by Florence Klotz
Florence Klotz
Florence Klotz was an American costume designer on Broadway and film.-Biography:Originally named as Kathrina Klotz, she later changed her name to "Florence" and was often nicknamed "Flossie"....
, lighting design by Ken Billington
Ken Billington
Ken Billington is an American lighting designer. He began his career in New York City working as an assistant to Tharon Musser....
, musical direction by Paul Gemignani
Paul Gemignani
Paul Gemignani is an award-winning American musical director with a career on Broadway and West End theatre spanning over thirty years.-Life and career:...
, orchestrations by Bill Byers, additional orchestrations by Jim Tyler and Harold Wheeler, dance music arrangements by Tom Fay, dance music for New Man arranged by Gordon Harrell, with choreography by Lester Wilson
Lester Wilson
Lester Wilson was an American dancer and choreographer. Wilson attended the Juilliard School. Bob Fosse cast him in a 1963 revival of Pal Joey at the New York City Center. Wilson toured London with Sammy Davis, Jr. in "Golden Boy". Lester's best known choreography was the 1977 movie Saturday...
, assistant choreography by Larry Vickers, and hair and make up by Richard Allen.
The cast included Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen is an American actor, dancer, and singer who has appeared in numerous Broadway theatre shows. Vereen graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts.- Early years :...
(Leroy), Stubby Kaye
Stubby Kaye
Stubby Kaye was an American comic actor. He was born Bernard Kotzin in New York City on the last day of the First World War, at West 114th Street in the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan to first generation Jewish-Americans originally from Russia and Austria...
(Gus), Lee Wallace
Lee Wallace (actor)
Lee Wallace is an American actor of film, stage, and television.Wallace was born as Leo Melis in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Celia and Eddie Melis. His movie roles include more than a dozen productions big and small, among which are Used People , Batman as Gotham City's mayor William Borg,...
(Harry), Joey Faye (Solly), Marion Ramsey
Marion Ramsey
Marion Ramsey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an American actress. She was a regular on the series Cos but is best known for her role as the timid Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy movies...
(Vernelle), Hope Clarke
Hope Clarke
Hope Clarke is an African-American actress, dancer, vocalist, and choreographer. Principal dancer with Katherine Dunham Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 1960s; actress on stage, film, and television, 1970s-1980s; choreographer and director, 1980s--.-Stage career:On Broadway, Clarke,...
(Ruby), Valarie Pettiford
Valarie Pettiford
Valarie Pettiford is an American stage and television actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She received a Tony nomination for her role in the broadway production Fosse. She is also known for her role as "Big Dee Dee" Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half.-Stage:Pettiford began her career as a dancer...
(Fleta), Candy Brown (Kitty), Wynonna Smith (Linette), Carol Woods
Carol Woods (performer)
Carol Woods is an American performer. In February 2008 she received a standing ovation during the 50th Grammy Awards broadcast singing "Let It Be" from the soundtrack of the film Across the Universe, with Timothy T. Mitchum...
(Maybelle), Sharon Murray (Romaine), Brian McKay (Louis, the Stage Manager), Oscar Stokes (Mike, the Doorman), Leonard John Crofoot
Leonard Crofoot
Leonard John Crofoot is an actor, singer, dancer, writer and choreographer. He is also credited as 'Leonard Crofoot.'...
, Timothy Nolen
Timothy Nolen
Timothy Nolen is an American actor and baritone who has had an active career in operas, musicals, concerts, plays, and on television for over four decades. He notably portrayed the title role in the first operatic presentation of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Houston Grand Opera in 1984...
(Doyle), Donald Acree (Grover), Ruth Brisbane (Mrs. Faye) and Leilani Jones
Leilani Jones (actress)
Leilani Jones is an American actress who first came to the world's attention in the original production of Little Shop of Horrors.-Biography:...
(Satin the stripper). Knockabouts, Bums, and Toughs portrayed by Leonard John Crofoot, Ray Roderick, Kelly Walters, Steve Owsley, Malcolm Perry.
Awards and nominations
Tony AwardTony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
- Best Musical (Produced by Kenneth D. Greenblatt, John J. Pomerantz, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards, James M. Nederlander, Harold Prince, Michael Frazier; Produced in association with Susan Madden Samson, Jonathan Farkas) (nominee)
- Best Book of a Musical (Fay Kanin) (nominee)
- Best Original Score (Music by Larry Grossman; Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh) (nominee)
- Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Leilani JonesLeiLani JonesLeiLani R. Jones is a pageant titleholder from Tacoma, Washington who competed in the Miss USA pageant in 2007....
) (winner) - Best Scenic Design (Clarke Dunham) (nominee)
- Best Costume Design (Florence KlotzFlorence KlotzFlorence Klotz was an American costume designer on Broadway and film.-Biography:Originally named as Kathrina Klotz, she later changed her name to "Florence" and was often nicknamed "Flossie"....
) (winner) - Best Direction of a Musical (Harold Prince) (nominee)
Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Leilani Jones (winner)
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Timothy Nolen) (nominee)
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Leilani Jones, winner; Sharon Murray, nominee)
- Outstanding Orchestration (Bill Byers) (nominee)
- Outstanding Lyrics (Ellen Fitzhugh) (nominee)
- Outstanding MusicDrama Desk Award for Outstanding MusicThe Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music is an annual award presented by the Drama Desk, a committee comprising New York City theatre critics, writers, and editors...
(Larry Grossman) (winner) - Outstanding Lighting Design (Ken Billington) (nominee)
- Outstanding Set Design (Clarke Dunham) (nominee)