Illya Darling
Encyclopedia
Illya Darling is a musical
with a book by Jules Dassin
, music by Manos Hadjidakis
, and lyrics by Joe Darion
, based on Dassin's 1960 film Never on Sunday
.
production opened on April 11, 1967 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre
and closed on January 13, 1968, after 320 performances and 22 previews. It was directed by Dassin,
choreographed by Onna White
, with scenic design by Oliver Smith
, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge
, and lighting design by Jean Rosenthal
.
Attendance was fueled by the star wattage provided by Melina Mercouri
in the title role (who was nominated for a Tony Award
for her performance and had starred in the film), which managed to overcome the mostly lukewarm to negative reviews. Critics found the plot too slight.
Other cast members included Orson Bean
as Homer Thrace, Nikos Kourkoulos
(who was also nominated for a Tony) in his Broadway debut as Tonio, and Hal Linden
as No Face. After closing on Broadway, the show went on tour with Cyd Charisse
as Illya.
The production was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best musical, score, direction and choreography, but it did not win any.
The musical was presented by the The Greek American Theatre Company of Los Angeles, running March 2003 to May 2003.
outside Athens. With no set rates, no pimp, and an inclination to sleep only with men she likes, she differs dramatically from the other local ladies-of-the-evening. Their pimp, Garbage, works for the mysterious No Face, who charges the girls exorbitant rents. Into her life comes Homer Thrace, a priggish American
in search of the glories of Ancient Greece
. Attracted by Illya's physical charms, he decides to teach her about the classics and to help her become a cultured lady, while she in turn introduces him to sensual pleasures. Homer's lesson plan is to separate her from her friends and the virile Tonio. Neither ends up happier.
Act 2
According to Steven Suskin, the musical was "the season's biggest star-vehicle with the biggest advance sale: Melina Mercouri in the "Never on Sunday" musical, Illya Darling. Not so darling, as it turned out; the charm of the 1960 low-budget Greek-language film was overblown into a full-scale Broadway affair with a distinct lack of charm or skill."
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 Jules Dassin
Jules Dassin
Julius "Jules" Dassin , was an American film director, with Jewish-Russian origins. He was a subject of the Hollywood blacklist in the McCarthy era, and subsequently moved to France where he revived his career.-Early life:...
, music by Manos Hadjidakis
Manos Hadjidakis
Manos Hatzidakis was a Greek composer and theorist of the Greek music. He was also one of the main prime movers of the "Éntekhno" song ....
, and lyrics by Joe Darion
Joe Darion
Joe Darion, was an American musical theatre lyricist, most famous for Man of La Mancha.Darion was born in New York City and died in Lebanon, New Hampshire.-External links:* at the Internet Broadway Database...
, based on Dassin's 1960 film Never on Sunday
Never on Sunday
Never on Sunday is a 1960 Greek black-and-white film which tells the story of Ilya, a prostitute who lives in the port of Piraeus in Greece, and Homer, an American tourist from Middletown, Connecticut — a classical scholar enamored with all things Greek. Ilya is a character close to the...
.
Production
The show previewed in a tour of Philadelphia, Toronto and Detroit for nine weeks. After 22 previews, the 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...
production opened on April 11, 1967 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...
and closed on January 13, 1968, after 320 performances and 22 previews. It was directed by Dassin,
choreographed by Onna White
Onna White
Onna White was a Canadian choreographer and dancer nominated for eight Tony Awards.-Career:Born in Inverness, Nova Scotia, White began taking dance lessons at the age of twelve, and eventually her studies took her to the famed San Francisco Ballet Company, where she danced in the first full-length...
, with scenic design by Oliver Smith
Oliver Smith
Oliver Prince Smith was a General in the United States Marine Corps and a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War...
, costume design by Theoni V. Aldredge
Theoni V. Aldredge
Theoni V. Aldredge was a Greek-American stage and screen costume designer.Born Theoni Athanasiou Vachlioti in Thessaloniki in 1922, Aldredge received her training at the American School in Athens. She emigrated to the United States in 1949 and attended the Goodman Theatre at DePaul University,...
, and lighting design by Jean Rosenthal
Jean Rosenthal
Jean Rosenthal is considered a pioneer in the field of theatrical lighting design. She was born in New York City to Romanian-Jewish immigrants....
.
Attendance was fueled by the star wattage provided by Melina Mercouri
Melina Mercouri
Melina Mercouri , born as Maria Amalia Mercouri was a Greek actress, singer and politician.As an actress she made her film debut in Stella and met international success with her performances in Never on Sunday, Phaedra, Topkapi and Promise at Dawn...
in the title role (who was nominated for a 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...
for her performance and had starred in the film), which managed to overcome the mostly lukewarm to negative reviews. Critics found the plot too slight.
Other cast members included Orson Bean
Orson Bean
Orson Bean is an American film, television, and Broadway actor. He appeared frequently on televised game shows in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, including being a long-time panelist on the television game show To Tell the Truth....
as Homer Thrace, Nikos Kourkoulos
Nikos Kourkoulos
Nikos Kourkoulos was a highly respected Greek theatrical and film performer, one of the most talented and recognizable actors in Greece of modern times...
(who was also nominated for a Tony) in his Broadway debut as Tonio, and Hal Linden
Hal Linden
Hal Linden is an American stage and television actor and television director, best known for his role in the television comedy series Barney Miller and as presenter on the ABC educational series Animals, Animals, Animals....
as No Face. After closing on Broadway, the show went on tour with Cyd Charisse
Cyd Charisse
Cyd Charisse was an American actress and dancer.After recovering from polio as a child, and studying ballet, Charisse entered films in the 1940s...
as Illya.
The production was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best musical, score, direction and choreography, but it did not win any.
The musical was presented by the The Greek American Theatre Company of Los Angeles, running March 2003 to May 2003.
Synopsis
Illya, a carefree prostitute, plies her trade in the port town of PiraeusPiraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
outside Athens. With no set rates, no pimp, and an inclination to sleep only with men she likes, she differs dramatically from the other local ladies-of-the-evening. Their pimp, Garbage, works for the mysterious No Face, who charges the girls exorbitant rents. Into her life comes Homer Thrace, a priggish American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in search of the glories of Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
. Attracted by Illya's physical charms, he decides to teach her about the classics and to help her become a cultured lady, while she in turn introduces him to sensual pleasures. Homer's lesson plan is to separate her from her friends and the virile Tonio. Neither ends up happier.
Song list
Act I- Po, Po, Po - Homer Thrace and Tonio
- Dance - Ensemble
- Zebekiko - Yorgo
- Piraeus, My Love - Illya and Men
- Golden Land - Homer Thrace and Ensemble
- Zebekiko (Reprise) - Yorgo
- Love, Love, Love - Illya
- I Think She Needs Me - Homer Thrace
- I'll Never Lay Down Any More - Despo
- After Love - Tonio
- Birthday Song - Tonio, Captain and Men
- Medea Tango - Illya and Men
- Illya Darling - Illya, Yorgo and Ensemble
Act 2
- Dear Mr. Schubert - Illya
- The Lesson - Illya and Homer Thrace
- Never on Sunday - Illya and Ensemble
- Piraeus, My Love (Reprise) - Illya
- Heaven Help A Sailor - Male Ensemble
- Medea Tango (Reprise) - Tonio
- Dance - Illya, Homer Thrace, Yorgo, Tonio, Captain, Vassily, Waiter and Ensemble
- Ya Chara - Company
Response
Jack Gaver wrote that although there were attracive things about the musical "it is a fact that any commercial success this new musical may have depends largely upon public interest in its Greek star. Tuesday night's arrival at the Mark Hellinger Theatre lacks solid, over-all appeal, so the international repuation of Miss Mercouri as a movie star with a tremendous sex image and a volatile acting style is really on the line...there is exuberance in the several dance numbers, the score has some rousing numbers and there are excellent portrayals in top roles."According to Steven Suskin, the musical was "the season's biggest star-vehicle with the biggest advance sale: Melina Mercouri in the "Never on Sunday" musical, Illya Darling. Not so darling, as it turned out; the charm of the 1960 low-budget Greek-language film was overblown into a full-scale Broadway affair with a distinct lack of charm or skill."
Tony Award nominations
- Best Musical
- Best Composer and Lyricist
- Best Actress in a Musical (Mercouri)
- Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Kourkoulos)
- Best Choreography
- Best Direction of a Musical