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The Act (musical)
Encyclopedia
The Act is a musical with a book by George Furth
, lyrics by Fred Ebb
, and music by John Kander
.
It was written to showcase the talents of Kander and Ebb favorite Liza Minnelli
, who portrayed Michelle Craig, a fading film star attempting a comeback as a Las Vegas
singer. The thin plot was little more than an excuse to present the star in concert. The musical premiered on Broadway
in 1977.
, choreographed by Ron Lewis, with costumes by Halston
, the cast included Barry Nelson
and Wayne Cilento
. The New York Times reviewer wrote that "'The Act' is precisely what its name implies: It is an act, and a splendid one. On the other hand, it is a little less than its pretensions imply. Theatrical though it is as a performance, it is indifferent musical theater." Another New York Times writer noted that "If there's a point 'The Act' underscores most, it's that Miss Minelli on Broadway has incomparable star power."
With an all-time ticket-price high of $25 for Saturday night orchestra seats, The Act had $2 million in advance sales,then the highest in Broadway history. But the production was doomed from the start, with its star in erratic behavior and frequently-missed performances, more than 10% of the entire run. During out-of-town tryouts, Gower Champion
was called in to help with the staging (but took no directorial credit). Additionally, the original costumes were replaced. With the additional costs and with refund demands running high, it was impossible for the show to recoup its costs.
Act II
George Furth
George Furth was an American librettist, playwright, and actor.-Biography:Furth was born George Schweinfurth in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Evelyn and George Schweinfurth...
, lyrics by Fred Ebb
Fred Ebb
Fred Ebb was an American musical theatre lyricist who had many successful collaborations with composer John Kander. The Kander and Ebb team frequently wrote for such performers as Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera....
, and music by John Kander
John Kander
John Harold Kander is the American composer of a number of musicals as part of the songwriting team of Kander and Ebb.-Life and career:Kander was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Bernice and Harold S. Kander...
.
It was written to showcase the talents of Kander and Ebb favorite Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli....
, who portrayed Michelle Craig, a fading film star attempting a comeback as a Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
singer. The thin plot was little more than an excuse to present the star in concert. The musical premiered 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...
in 1977.
Production
The Act played out-of-town tryouts for fifteen weeks in Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The musical opened on Broadway on October 29, 1977 at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 233 performances and six previews. Directed by Martin ScorseseMartin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
, choreographed by Ron Lewis, with costumes by Halston
Halston
Roy Halston Frowick, also known as Halston was a clothing designer of the 1970s. His long dresses or copies of his style were popular fashion wear in mid-1970s discotheques.-Early life and career:...
, the cast included Barry Nelson
Barry Nelson
Barry Nelson was an American actor, noted as the first actor to portray Ian Fleming's secret agent James Bond.-Early life:...
and 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:...
. The New York Times reviewer wrote that "'The Act' is precisely what its name implies: It is an act, and a splendid one. On the other hand, it is a little less than its pretensions imply. Theatrical though it is as a performance, it is indifferent musical theater." Another New York Times writer noted that "If there's a point 'The Act' underscores most, it's that Miss Minelli on Broadway has incomparable star power."
With an all-time ticket-price high of $25 for Saturday night orchestra seats, The Act had $2 million in advance sales,then the highest in Broadway history. But the production was doomed from the start, with its star in erratic behavior and frequently-missed performances, more than 10% of the entire run. During out-of-town tryouts, Gower Champion
Gower Champion
Gower Carlyle Champion was an American actor, theatre director, choreographer, and dancer.-Early years:Champion was born in Geneva, Illinois, the son of John W. Champion and Beatrice Carlisle. He was raised in Los Angeles, California, where he graduated from Fairfax High School...
was called in to help with the staging (but took no directorial credit). Additionally, the original costumes were replaced. With the additional costs and with refund demands running high, it was impossible for the show to recoup its costs.
Song list
Act I- Shine It On
- It's the Strangest Thing
- Bobo's
- Turning
- Little Do They Know
- Arthur in the Afternoon
- Hollywood, California
- The Money Tree
Act II
- City Lights
- There When I Need Him
- Hot Enough for You?
- Little Do They Know (Reprise)
- My Own Space
- Walkin' Papers
Awards and nominations
- Tony AwardTony AwardThe 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 Best Actress in a Musical (Minnelli, winner) - Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Nelson, nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Original Score (Kander and EbbKander and EbbKander and Ebb were a highly successful songwriting team consisting of composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb . Known primarily for their stage musicals, Kander and Ebb also scored several movies including their most famous song, the theme song from Martin Scorsese's New York, New York...
, nominee) - Tony Award for Best Costume Design (HalstonHalstonRoy Halston Frowick, also known as Halston was a clothing designer of the 1970s. His long dresses or copies of his style were popular fashion wear in mid-1970s discotheques.-Early life and career:...
, nominee) - Tony Award for Best Lighting Design (Tharon MusserTharon MusserTharon Musser was an American lighting designer who worked on more than 150 Broadway productions. She was termed the "Dean of American Lighting Designers" and is considered one of the pioneers in her field....
, nominee) - Tony Award for Best Choreography (Lewis, nominee)