African American singer and television actress who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Georgina in Hallelujah, Baby! (1967). She appeared in the national tour and Broadway production of Jerry’s Girls (1984, a revue featuring the music of Jerry Herman), was a replacement Reno Sweeney in the 1987 Lincoln Center Theatre revival of Anything Goes, and in 2003 and 2004 played Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2012, she delighted audiences as Fauna, the local madam, in the City Center Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pipe Dream.
A performer who learns the role of a regular performer, including lines, songs, choreography, and all stage action, in case the regular performer is indisposed and cannot perform. If an understudy is to perform, this is usually indicated with a program insert and also announced before the performance begins. Often, understudies for a major role perform a minor role or appear in the chorus. In opera, the term “cover” is used.
(3 November 1960, Winter Garden, 532 performances.) Music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, book by Richard Morris, choreography by Peter Gennaro. Based on the life of a plucky woman who rose from poverty in Hannibal, Missouri, to wealthy society in Denver and then survived the sinking of the Titanic, The Unsinkable Molly Brown featured Tammy Grimes in the title role. Howard Taubman, writing in the New York Times, admitted the presence of “pleasant things,” such as Willson’s score, effective comedy, interesting moments of theater, pleasant performers, and attractive costumes and scenery, but “only one fresh, appealing character” with Grimes as the “buoyant interpreter.” Willson’s score included “Dolce Far Niente,” “My Own Brass Bed,” “Beautiful People of Denver,” and “I’ll Never Say No.”
(27 January 1945, Century, 504 performances.) Music by Sigmund Romberg, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, book by Dorothy and Herbert Fields, choreographed by Helen Tamaris, presented by Michael Todd. A late success in Romberg’s career, the nostalgic show about New York Times reporter John Matthews (Wilbur Evans), who is investigating Boss Tweed’s ring and falls in love with Rosie Moore (Maureen Cannon), the daughter of one of Tweed’s men, included some splendid ballads, including “When You Walk in the Room” and “Close as Pages in a Book.” The lavish dance sequence “Currier and Ives Ballet” was one of the show’s highlights, as was its rousing celebratory anthem of Central Park, “The Big Back Yard.” The production opened at a theater near Central Park, and the opening-night festivities included horse-drawn carriage rides through the park. Deanna Durbin and Dick Haymes starred in the 1948 film version.
(Also known as Josef Urban, 1872–1933.) Viennese-born set designer most famous for envisioning the iconic staircases associated with Ziegfeld Follies. He created scenic designs for many of Florenz Ziegfeld’s productions, including Sally (1923), Rio Rita (1927), and Show Boat (1927). Urban also designed for the Metropolitan Opera and was active as an architect.
(20 September 2001, Henry Miller’s, 965 performances.) Music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann, lyrics and book by Greg Kotis, directed by John Rando. Its Broadway opening postponed because of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Urinetown is a biting social satire, set in a place where, because of a water shortage, people must pay to urinate. The show addresses issues such as corporate corruption and monopolies, crooked politicians, environmental concerns, and the divide between rich and poor. Bruce Coughlin’s lean orchestrations and the declamatory nature of the songs give an edge to the score (evident in the title song) that enhances the show’s political cartoonesque quality, culminating in the freedom-extolling, gospel-tinged anthem finale, “I See a River.” As with many shows of the early 21st century, the show includes many reflexive references.