Leader of the Pack (musical)
Encyclopedia
Leader of the Pack is a musical
with liner notes
by Anne Beatts
and additional material by Jack Heifner, music by Ellie Greenwich
, and lyrics by Greenwich, Jeff Barry
, Phil Spector
, George "Shadow" Morton
, Jeff Kent
, and Ellen Foley
.
(created before the term was coined) celebrates the life and times of the Brooklyn
-born Greenwich, whose doo-wop
sounds skyrocketed to the top of the pop
charts in the early to mid-1960s. Beatts' "liner notes" serve as the book that link the songs and provide a look into the songwriter's professional triumphs and personal misfortunes.
's Bottom Line
in the winter of 1984. After 53 previews, the much-expanded production
, boasting a cast of nineteen directed and choreographed by Michael Peters
, opened on April 8, 1985 at the Ambassador Theatre
, where it ran for 120 performances. Frank Rich
, reviewing the show in The New York Times
, called it an "embarrassment" and later wrote that upon closing, the show's producers engaged each other in litigation that "entertained Broadway for far longer than their show had." The production was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical
, but lost to Big River
.
Leader of the Pack was unlike other shows on Broadway
at the time. Though it ran in two acts, it was without an intermission
and had a duration of 90 minutes.
Leader of the Pack is a popular choice for high school and amateur productions, which Ellie Greenwich
frequent managed and oversaw until her death in August 2009.
, serving as a narrator, welcomes us to the 1980s and the still-present popularity of songs from the 1960s (‘’Be My Baby’’). Darlene then takes us back to a simpler time, the 1960s, and the music of that period as well (‘’Wait ‘til My Bobby Gets Home’’). Enter Ellie Greenwich
, a teenage girl living in Levittown, New York. She dreams of her own musical success, but is sidelined by her mother who wishes for her to pursue a degree in education. (‘’A…My Name Is Ellie’’). In Ellie’s spare time, she formed a trio with her two best friends, Shelley and Mickey, called the Jivettes. The Jivettes are given a chance to record a single at the Brill Building
, which they believe could be their big break. (‘’Jivette Boogie Beat’’) Fast forward a few years later where Ellie, now finished with school, attempts to get job writing at the Brill Building. There she meets a fellow writer, Jeff Barry
, and Gus Sharkey, a music producer (in the vein of Phil Spector
). Despite skepticism from Gus, Ellie writes and records her first hit single. (‘’Why Do Lover’s Break Each Other’s Hearts?’’) At an office party celebrating her hit single, Ellie and Jeff meet again and begin flirting with each other. (‘’Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry’’) The office party culminates into a huge dance party, with each side singing about the opposite sex (‘’I Wanna Love Him So Bad/Do Wah Diddy’’). Ellie and her friends reflect on Ellie’s first date with Jeff and what their future holds. (‘’And Then He Kissed Me’’) On their second date, Ellie believes her and Jeff are going all the way
, but Jeff’s intention was only to co-write music with her. (‘’Hanky Panky’’) Jeff and Ellie get engaged despite objections, (‘’Not Too Young To Get Married’’) and they elope a few months later. (‘’Chapel Of Love’’).
Jeff and Ellie are now romantically involved as well as professionally, and they are an unstoppable team of songwriters. They continue to crank out hit songs for Darlene Love, The Crystals
, The Shangri-Las
, and Connie Francis
, with much success. (‘’Songwriting Medley’’) and produce a new song for The Ronettes
that nets the pair much acclaim. (‘’Baby, I Love You’’). Jeff and Ellie are enjoying their newfound fame and wealth, but things begin to take a rocky turn when Jeff begins to venture off and working solo and not with Ellie, and tensions rise between the two. (‘’Leader Of The Pack’’)
After a brief flash-forward into the 1980s, we see a renewed adult Ellie Greenwich who is in control of her life. (‘’Keep It Confidential’’) As she teaches a master class, she reflects back on some of her most famous work. (‘’Da Doo Ron Ron’’) However, she is also reminded of her former life and husband when telling about another one of her works. (‘’What A Guy’’) Ellie realizes that she and Jeff’s issues are a thing of the past and that her life is more successful than ever before. (‘’Maybe I Know’’) Ellie reunites with her equally-successful friends, Darlene Love and Annie Golden, and gives Darlene a chance to sing a song that was originally hers, but reassigned to Tina Turner
. (‘’River Deep, Mountain High’’). After reflecting on the life and times of their friendship, Ellie realizes that, through triumph and turmoil, she did make it in the end. (‘’We’re Gonna Make It After All’’)
Act II
+ - Song was specifically written for the show
Keep It Confidential was omitted from the show after 9 regular performances on April 15, 1985 since it "didn't fit in the show well". It was re-added to the show on June 13, 1985 in a different spot that the producers decided was fitting for it.
A 2-LP
original cast recording was released by Elektra Records
. This record not only contained the music from the show, but also the intermittent dialogue between songs (most of which were lead-ons to the next song).
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 liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
by Anne Beatts
Anne Beatts
- Early life:Born to parents Beatts describes as "beatniks", Beatts grew to have what has been called an "aggressive, dark sensibility" which she later put to use in the world of comedy. Growing up in Somers, New York she later attended McGill University....
and additional material by Jack Heifner, music by Ellie Greenwich
Ellie Greenwich
Eleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, and lyrics by Greenwich, Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
, George "Shadow" Morton
Shadow Morton
George 'Shadow' Morton is an American record producer and songwriter best known for his influential work in the 1960s and the introduction of girl group The Shangri-Las to the pop music world....
, Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent
Jeffrey Franklin Kent is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen...
, and Ellen Foley
Ellen Foley
Ellen Foley is an American singer and actress, who has appeared on Broadway and television, where she co-starred in the sitcom Night Court. In music, she has released three solo albums but is best known for her collaborations with the singer Meat Loaf.- Early life and career :Foley was born in St....
.
Background
Based on an original concept by Melanie Mintzwith, this jukebox musicalJukebox musical
A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a connection with a particular popular musician or group — either because they were written by, or for, the artists in question, or were at least...
(created before the term was coined) celebrates the life and times of the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-born Greenwich, whose doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
sounds skyrocketed to the top of the pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
charts in the early to mid-1960s. Beatts' "liner notes" serve as the book that link the songs and provide a look into the songwriter's professional triumphs and personal misfortunes.
Production history
The initial presentation of Leader of the Pack: The Songs of Ellie Greenwich (as it originally was titled), with a cast of six, had a brief run at Greenwich VillageGreenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
's Bottom Line
Bottom Line
The Bottom Line was a music venue at 15 West Fourth Street between Mercer Street and Greene Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City...
in the winter of 1984. After 53 previews, the much-expanded production
Broadway 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...
, boasting a cast of nineteen directed and choreographed by Michael Peters
Michael Peters
Michael Douglas Peters was an American choreographer.-Biography:Peters was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in New York City to an African American father and Jewish mother. His first major breakthrough came when he did choreography for Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby" in 1975...
, opened on April 8, 1985 at the Ambassador Theatre
Ambassador Theatre (New York)
The Ambassador Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 219 West 49th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp for the Shuberts, the structure is unusual in that it is situated diagonally on its site to fit the maximum number of...
, where it ran for 120 performances. 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...
, reviewing the show in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, called it an "embarrassment" and later wrote that upon closing, the show's producers engaged each other in litigation that "entertained Broadway for far longer than their show had." The production was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical
Tony Award for Best Musical
This is a list of winners and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Musical, first awarded in 1949. This award is presented to the producers of the musical.-1940s:* 1949: Kiss Me, Kate – Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Samuel and Bella Spewack...
, but lost to 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...
.
Leader of the Pack was unlike other shows on Broadway
Broadway 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 time. Though it ran in two acts, it was without an intermission
Intermission
An intermission or interval is a recess between parts of a performance or production, such as for a theatrical play, opera, concert, or film screening....
and had a duration of 90 minutes.
Leader of the Pack is a popular choice for high school and amateur productions, which Ellie Greenwich
Ellie Greenwich
Eleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
frequent managed and oversaw until her death in August 2009.
Act 1
Darlene LoveDarlene Love
Darlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
, serving as a narrator, welcomes us to the 1980s and the still-present popularity of songs from the 1960s (‘’Be My Baby’’). Darlene then takes us back to a simpler time, the 1960s, and the music of that period as well (‘’Wait ‘til My Bobby Gets Home’’). Enter Ellie Greenwich
Ellie Greenwich
Eleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, a teenage girl living in Levittown, New York. She dreams of her own musical success, but is sidelined by her mother who wishes for her to pursue a degree in education. (‘’A…My Name Is Ellie’’). In Ellie’s spare time, she formed a trio with her two best friends, Shelley and Mickey, called the Jivettes. The Jivettes are given a chance to record a single at the Brill Building
Brill Building
The Brill Building is an office building located at 1619 Broadway on 49th Street in the New York City borough of Manhattan, just north of Times Square and further uptown from the historic musical Tin Pan Alley neighborhood...
, which they believe could be their big break. (‘’Jivette Boogie Beat’’) Fast forward a few years later where Ellie, now finished with school, attempts to get job writing at the Brill Building. There she meets a fellow writer, Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, and Gus Sharkey, a music producer (in the vein of Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
). Despite skepticism from Gus, Ellie writes and records her first hit single. (‘’Why Do Lover’s Break Each Other’s Hearts?’’) At an office party celebrating her hit single, Ellie and Jeff meet again and begin flirting with each other. (‘’Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry’’) The office party culminates into a huge dance party, with each side singing about the opposite sex (‘’I Wanna Love Him So Bad/Do Wah Diddy’’). Ellie and her friends reflect on Ellie’s first date with Jeff and what their future holds. (‘’And Then He Kissed Me’’) On their second date, Ellie believes her and Jeff are going all the way
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
, but Jeff’s intention was only to co-write music with her. (‘’Hanky Panky’’) Jeff and Ellie get engaged despite objections, (‘’Not Too Young To Get Married’’) and they elope a few months later. (‘’Chapel Of Love’’).
Jeff and Ellie are now romantically involved as well as professionally, and they are an unstoppable team of songwriters. They continue to crank out hit songs for Darlene Love, The Crystals
The Crystals
The Crystals are an American vocal group based in New York, considered one of the defining acts of the girl group era of the first half of the 1960s. Their 1961–1964 chart hits, including "Uptown", "He's a Rebel", "Da Doo Ron Ron " and "Then He Kissed Me", featured three successive female lead...
, The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las were an American pop girl group of the 1960s. Between 1964 and 1966 they charted with often heartbreaking teen melodramas, and remain best known for "Leader of the Pack" and "Remember ".- Early career :...
, and Connie Francis
Connie Francis
Connie Francis is an American pop singer of Italian heritage and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1950s and 1960s. Although her chart success waned in the second half of the 1960s, Francis remained a top concert draw...
, with much success. (‘’Songwriting Medley’’) and produce a new song for The Ronettes
The Ronettes
The Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett ; her older sister, Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley...
that nets the pair much acclaim. (‘’Baby, I Love You’’). Jeff and Ellie are enjoying their newfound fame and wealth, but things begin to take a rocky turn when Jeff begins to venture off and working solo and not with Ellie, and tensions rise between the two. (‘’Leader Of The Pack’’)
Act 2
Jeff and Ellie are in the midst of receiving numerous awards for their work, but it has become obvious their marriage is on the rocks. Jeff wishes to settle down while they are at the top and start a family, while Ellie wishes to continue working. This culminates into Jeff breaking off the marriage since he and Ellie want different things. (‘’Look Of Love’’) Ellie, still in love with Jeff and heartbroken over the separation, refuses to let anybody know that the marriage dissolved. (‘’Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)’’). A few years have passed and Ellie is still writing music. She happens upon Jeff in the Brill Building one day when he arrives from Los Angeles on business. Ellie candidly admits how she misses him and wants to reconcile. However, Jeff is already engaged and settled in Los Angeles, much to Ellie’s shock. (‘’I Can Hear Music’’) Not being able to cope with her personal tragedies, Ellie spirals into a nervous breakdown. (‘’Rock Of Rages’’)After a brief flash-forward into the 1980s, we see a renewed adult Ellie Greenwich who is in control of her life. (‘’Keep It Confidential’’) As she teaches a master class, she reflects back on some of her most famous work. (‘’Da Doo Ron Ron’’) However, she is also reminded of her former life and husband when telling about another one of her works. (‘’What A Guy’’) Ellie realizes that she and Jeff’s issues are a thing of the past and that her life is more successful than ever before. (‘’Maybe I Know’’) Ellie reunites with her equally-successful friends, Darlene Love and Annie Golden, and gives Darlene a chance to sing a song that was originally hers, but reassigned to Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
. (‘’River Deep, Mountain High’’). After reflecting on the life and times of their friendship, Ellie realizes that, through triumph and turmoil, she did make it in the end. (‘’We’re Gonna Make It After All’’)
Cast
- Dinah ManoffDinah ManoffDinah Beth Manoff is an American stage, film and television actress and television director best known for her roles as Elaine Lefkowitz on Soap, Marty Maraschino in the film Grease, Libby Tucker in both the stage and film adaptations of I Ought to Be in Pictures, for which she won a Tony award,...
- Young Ellie Greenwich (1960s) - Ellie GreenwichEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
- Herself (1980s) - Patrick CassidyPatrick CassidyPatrick Cassidy may refer to: * Patrick Cassidy , Irish classical composer of movie soundtracks* Patrick Cassidy , U.S. actor in musical theatre and television...
- Jeff BarryJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:... - Annie GoldenAnnie Golden-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York, Golden began her career as the lead singer of The Shirts . During the early 1990s she performed as part of the duo Golden Carillo with Frank Carillo. They released three albums,Fire in Newtown, Toxic Emotion, and Back for More. She then returned to The Shirts...
- Herself - Darlene LoveDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
- Herself - Dennis Bailey - Gus Sharkey (based on Phil SpectorPhil SpectorPhillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
) - Jasmine GuyJasmine GuyJasmine Guy is an American actress, singer and dancer. She is best known for her starring role as Whitley Gilbert in the television sitcom A Different World.-Biography:...
- Mickey - Barbara Yeager - Shelley
- Gina Taylor - Gina
- Zora Rasmussen - Ellie's Mom
- Pattie Darcy - Lounge Singer
Song List
Act I- Overture - Orchestra
- Be My BabyBe My Baby"Be My Baby" is a 1963 single written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, performed by The Ronettes and produced by Spector. When released as a single, the song reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer...
- AnnieAnnie Golden-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York, Golden began her career as the lead singer of The Shirts . During the early 1990s she performed as part of the duo Golden Carillo with Frank Carillo. They released three albums,Fire in Newtown, Toxic Emotion, and Back for More. She then returned to The Shirts...
and Girls - Wait 'til My Bobby Gets Home - DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
& Company - A . . . My Name Is Ellie + - Young EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, - Jivette Boogie Beat + - Young EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, Shelley & Mickey - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts? - DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
- Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry - DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
- I Wanna Love Him So Bad - Young EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
& Girls - Do Wah Diddy - JeffJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
& Guys - And Then He Kissed Me' - Young EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, Shelley & Mickey - Hanky Panky - JeffJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
& Guys - Not Too Young To Get Married - DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
& Girls - Chapel Of LoveChapel of Love"Chapel of Love" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector, and made famous by The Dixie Cups in 1964, spending three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. There have also been many other versions of this song...
- Company - Songwriting Medley + - EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, JeffJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, Gus Sharkey & Company - Baby I Love YouBaby, I Love You"Baby, I Love You" is a pop song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, produced by Spector, and originally recorded in 1963 by The Ronettes...
- AnnieAnnie Golden-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York, Golden began her career as the lead singer of The Shirts . During the early 1990s she performed as part of the duo Golden Carillo with Frank Carillo. They released three albums,Fire in Newtown, Toxic Emotion, and Back for More. She then returned to The Shirts...
and Girls - Leader of the PackLeader of the Pack"Leader of the Pack" is a 1964 pop song recorded by girl group The Shangri-Las. It became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 28, 1964.-Original Shangri-Las recording:...
- AnnieAnnie Golden-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York, Golden began her career as the lead singer of The Shirts . During the early 1990s she performed as part of the duo Golden Carillo with Frank Carillo. They released three albums,Fire in Newtown, Toxic Emotion, and Back for More. She then returned to The Shirts...
and Company
Act II
- The Look of Love - Lounge Singer
- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"Christmas " is a Christmas holiday song originally sung by Darlene Love and included on the 1963 Christmas compilation album, A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records. The song was written by Phil Spector, along with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, with the intentions of being sung by Ronnie...
- DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
& Company - I Can Hear MusicI Can Hear Music"I Can Hear Music" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. It was originally performed by the Ronettes in 1966, and later covered by the Beach Boys in 1969, by Larry Lurex in 1973, by José Hoebee in 1983, and by She & Him in 2010.-Beach Boys version:"I Can Hear Music"...
- AnnieAnnie Golden-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York, Golden began her career as the lead singer of The Shirts . During the early 1990s she performed as part of the duo Golden Carillo with Frank Carillo. They released three albums,Fire in Newtown, Toxic Emotion, and Back for More. She then returned to The Shirts...
& Guys - Rock of Rages + - Young EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
- Keep It Confidential - Gina
- Da Doo Ron RonDa Doo Ron Ron"Da Doo Ron Ron" is a 1963 hit single by The Crystals, produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style. The song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector. The drummer was Hal Blaine....
- Adult EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
& Guys - What a Guy - Adult EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
& Company - Maybe I Know - Adult EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
- River Deep, Mountain High - DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
& Company - We're Gonna Make It After All + - Adult EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, Young EllieEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
, DarleneDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
, AnnieAnnie Golden-Career:Born in Brooklyn, New York, Golden began her career as the lead singer of The Shirts . During the early 1990s she performed as part of the duo Golden Carillo with Frank Carillo. They released three albums,Fire in Newtown, Toxic Emotion, and Back for More. She then returned to The Shirts...
& Company
+ - Song was specifically written for the show
- The show ran as one entire act while on Broadway. It was split into two acts for regional and high school productions of the show.
Keep It Confidential was omitted from the show after 9 regular performances on April 15, 1985 since it "didn't fit in the show well". It was re-added to the show on June 13, 1985 in a different spot that the producers decided was fitting for it.
A 2-LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
original cast recording was released by Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
. This record not only contained the music from the show, but also the intermittent dialogue between songs (most of which were lead-ons to the next song).