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{{Short description|Musical by Noël Coward}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox Musical
{{Infobox Musical
|name= Sail Away
|name = Sail Away
|subtitle=
|subtitle =
|image= Sailaway.jpg
|image = Sailaway.jpg
|caption= Sheet music (cover)
|caption = Sheet music (cover)
|music= [[Noël Coward]]
|music = [[Noël Coward]]
|lyrics= [[Noël Coward]]
|lyrics = [[Noël Coward]]
|book= [[Noël Coward]]
|book = [[Noël Coward]]
|productions= 1961 Broadway <br/> 1962 West End <br/> 1998 [[Woking]], England revival
|productions = {{ubl|1961 Broadway | 1962 West End | 1998 [[Woking]], England revival
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->}}
|awards=
|awards =
}}
}}


'''''Sail Away''''' is a musical with a book, music and lyrics by [[Noël Coward]]. The show was the last musical for which Coward wrote both the book and music, although he wrote the music for one last "book" musical in 1963. The story centres on brash, bold American divorcee Mimi Paragon, working as a hostess on a British cruise ship. The musical ran on Broadway (1961) and in the West End (1962) and has been revived since.
'''''Sail Away''''' is a musical with a book, music and lyrics by [[Noël Coward]]. The show was the last musical for which Coward wrote both the book and music, although he wrote the music for one last "book" musical in 1963.
The story centres on brash, bold American divorcee Mimi Paragon, working as a hostess on a British cruise ship. The musical ran on Broadway (1961) and in the West End (1962) and has been revived since. [[Elaine Stritch]] was nominated for the [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical]] for her performance in the original production.


==Background==
==Background==
Line 21: Line 24:
According to [[Ben Brantley]], "Coward wrote in his diary that Ms. Stritch sang 'so movingly that I almost cried.' He went on to say about making her the show's star: 'There is no doubt about it. I made the right decision.'"<ref name=brantley/>
According to [[Ben Brantley]], "Coward wrote in his diary that Ms. Stritch sang 'so movingly that I almost cried.' He went on to say about making her the show's star: 'There is no doubt about it. I made the right decision.'"<ref name=brantley/>


==Productions==
==Synopsis==
The setting for the show is aboard the British luxury cruise ship Coronia, bound for the Mediterranean in 1961. The plot involves a romantic love affair aboard a cruise ship, with all the classic wit and charm of Broadway's golden era. Recent divorcée Mimi Paragon is stuck serving tourists as one of the ship's hostesses when she is drawn to the much younger and strikingly handsome Johnny Van Mier. Complicating their relationship are several eccentric and hilarious cruise ship characters – from the cynical and quirky Sweeneys; to Johnny's dominating and diva-like mother, Mrs. Van Mier; to the wacky novelist Spencer Bollard and her wide-eyed niece, Nancy.<ref>[https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/2745/sail-away ''Concord Theatricals'']accessed 07/16/2023</ref>
⚫
''Sail Away'' had out-of-town tryouts for three weeks each in Boston and Philadelphia. The show opened on Broadway 3 October 1961, at the [[Broadhurst Theatre]] and closed on 24 February 1962 after 167 performances. It was directed by Coward (the last of his works that he directed)<ref>{{cite book | last=Mander | first=Raymond|author2=Joe Mitchenson |url=https://archive.org/details/theatricalcompan00mand/page/66| title= Theatrical Companion to Coward| year= 1957| location= London| publisher= Rockliff| page=481 and ''passim''| oclc=470106222 }}</ref> and choreographed by Joe Layton with scenic design by [[Oliver Smith (designer)|Oliver Smith]], costumes by Helene Pons and Oliver Smith, and lighting by Peggy Clark. The original Broadway cast starred [[Elaine Stritch]] as Mimi Paragon,<ref name=Playbill/> James Hurst as John Van Mier, and [[Margalo Gillmore]] as Mrs. Van Mier.<ref name=Taubman>{{cite news| last=Taubman| first=Howard| title=Theatre: Noel Coward at the Helm; His 'Sail Away' Opens at the Broadhurst| work=The New York Times| date=4 October 1961| page=48| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A02EEDE133BE13ABC4C53DFB667838A679EDE| accessdate=2014-11-13|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=IBDB>{{cite web| title=Sail Away| url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2878| work=[[Internet Broadway Database]]| accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref>

⚫
The show was then staged at the [[Savoy Theatre]] in the West End in 1962, where it opened on 21 June and ran for 252 performances, until 26 Jan 1963,<ref name=Guide>{{cite web| url=http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/london_shows_chronology/1962.htm| title=1962 chronology| publisher=Guide To Musical Theatre| accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref> directed by Coward. The original London cast starred Stritch and [[David Holliday]] as John, and featured [[Grover Dale]], Sheila Forbes, [[Edith Day]], [[John Hewer]], [[Stella Moray]] and [[Tony Adams (actor)|Tony Adams]].<ref name=album>{{cite web| url=http://castalbums.org/recordings/Sail-Away-1962-Original-London-Cast/3216| title=Sail Away: Original London Cast| date=1962| publisher=CastAlbums.org| accessdate=2014-11-13| quote=Also see liner notes for the Fynsworth Alley label CD release (2003)}}</ref><ref name=Payn1>{{cite book| last1=Payn| first1=Graham| last2=Morley| first2=Sheridan| title=The Noel Coward Diaries| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pwx7sZo5wvIC&pg=PA507| chapter=Sail Away| publisher=Da Capo Press| date=1 October 1982| isbn=978-0306809606| page=459| accessdate=2014-11-13|chapter-url-access=subscription }}</ref> The musical was then produced, with Coward's personal directorial attention, in [[Melbourne]] in 1963, starring [[Maggie Fitzgibbon]].<ref name=NLA>{{cite web| title=Sail Away to New York| url=http://www.nla.gov.au/pub/gateways/archive/43/p01a01.html| work=Gateways| publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]| date=February 2000| number=43| accessdate=2014-11-13| issn=1039-3498}}</ref>


== Original cast and characters ==
⚫
It was revived at the [[New Victoria Theatre#Rhoda McGaw Theatre|Rhoda McGaw Theatre]] in [[Woking]], England in 1998.<ref name=Woking>{{cite web| url=http://www.rowlandlee.com/Theatre2.htm| title=Theatre: Sail Away| publisher=RowalndLee.com| access-date=2014-11-13| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126222100/http://www.rowlandlee.com/Theatre2.htm| archive-date=26 November 2014| df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Gerald Gutierrez]] directed a November 1999 staged concert version in the Weill Recital Hall of [[Carnegie Hall]], starring Stritch.<ref name=brantley>{{cite news| last=Brantley| first=Ben| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/06/theater/theater-review-the-magic-takes-longer-but-the-wand-seems-intact.html?gwh=D57821E222A9449BA3E373FF496B1C68&gwt=pay| title=The Magic Takes Longer But the Wand Seems Intact| work=[[The New York Times]]| date=6 November 1999| accessdate=2014-11-13|url-access=subscription }}</ref> A concert version played in July 2008 at [[Sadler's Wells Theatre|Sadler's Wells' Lilian Baylis Theatre]], directed by Ian Marshall Fisher in the ''Lost Musicals'' series, starring [[Penny Fuller]] as Mimi, Vivienne Martin as Mrs. Van Mier, and Rupert Young as John.<ref name=Playbill>{{cite news| last=Shenton| first=Mark| url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/117723.html| title=Penny Fuller to Sail Away to London| work=[[Playbill]]| date=14 May 2008| access-date=2014-11-13| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708220318/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/117723.html| archive-date=8 July 2008| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:50%; text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Character
⚫
Not only did Coward write the book, music and lyrics, and also direct the show, he even designed the show poster.<ref name=Payn1/> Some of its songs are well known, including "Why Do the Wrong People Travel?" "Useless, Useful Phrases", "The Customer's Always Right" and the title song. The song "Sail Away" was first used by Coward in his 1950 musical ''[[Ace of Clubs (musical)|Ace of Clubs]]''.
!Broadway (1961)<ref>[https://www.playbill.com/production/sail-away-broadhurst-theatre-vault-0000002065#carousel-cell135645''Playbill 1961 Bio Cast List'']accessed 07/16/2023</ref>

!West End (1962)<ref>[https://ovrtur.com/production/2883926/credits ''Playbill 1962 Bio Cast List'']accessed 07/16/2023</ref>
==Plot==
|-
Mimi Paragon is the American [[cruise director]] on board the British luxury cruise ship Coronia, bound for a Mediterranean cruise. Mimi is middle-aged and divorced. The younger Johnny Van Mier romances Mimi. During the course of their ship romance, they have to deal with annoying and troublesome passengers such as the Sweeneys. The Sweeneys confide that the secret to their long marriage is that they have disliked each other so intensely, over such a long period of time, that others now find them endearing. ("The Bronxville Darby and Joan").
!Mimi Paragon
| colspan="2" |[[Elaine Stritch]]
|-
!John Van Mier
| colspan="1" |James Hurst
| colspan="1" |[[David Holliday]]
|-
!Mrs. Van Mier
| colspan="1" |[[Margalo Gillmore]]
| colspan="1" |[[Mavis Villiers]]
|-
!Elinor Spencer-Bollard
| colspan="1" |[[Alice Pearce]]
| colspan="1" |[[Dorothy Reynolds]]
|-
!Nancy Foyle
| colspan="1" |[[Patricia Harty (actress)|Patricia Harty]]
| colspan="1" |Sheila Forbes
|-
!Barnaby Slade
| colspan="2" |[[Grover Dale]]
|-
!Joe / Ali
| colspan="1" |Charles Braswell
| colspan="1" |[[John Hewer]]
|-
!Mrs. Lush
| colspan="1" |Evelyn Russell
| colspan="1" |[[Margaret Christensen]]
|-
!Alvin Lush
| colspan="1" |[[Paul O'Keefe]]
| colspan="1" |Stephen Ashworth
|-
!Maimie Candijack
| colspan="1" |[[Betty Jane Watson]]
| colspan="1" |[[Stella Moray]]
|-
!Mrs. Sweeney
| colspan="1" |[[Paula Bauersmith]]
| colspan="1" |[[Edith Day]]
|}


==Songs==
==Songs==
Line 50: Line 93:
* "The Customer’s Always Right" – Ali and the Arabs
* "The Customer’s Always Right" – Ali and the Arabs
* "Something Very Strange" – Mimi
* "Something Very Strange" – Mimi
* "The Little Ones’ ABC" – Mimi, Alvin Lush and the Children
* "The Little Ones' ABC" – Mimi, Alvin Lush and the Children
* "Don’t Turn Away from Love" – John
* "Don’t Turn Away from Love" – John
* "When You Want Me" – Barnaby and Nancy
* "When You Want Me" – Barnaby and Nancy
Line 58: Line 101:


A song titled "The Bronxville Darby and Joan" was added for the London production.<ref name=Woking/>
A song titled "The Bronxville Darby and Joan" was added for the London production.<ref name=Woking/>

==Productions==
⚫
''Sail Away'' had out-of-town tryouts for three weeks each in Boston and Philadelphia. The show opened on Broadway on 3 October 1961, at the [[Broadhurst Theatre]] and closed on 24 February 1962 after 167 performances. It was directed by Coward (the last of his works that he directed)<ref>{{cite book | last=Mander | first=Raymond|author2=Joe Mitchenson |url=https://archive.org/details/theatricalcompan00mand/page/66| title= Theatrical Companion to Coward| year= 1957| location= London| publisher= Rockliff| page=481 and ''passim''| oclc=470106222 }}</ref> and choreographed by Joe Layton with scenic design by [[Oliver Smith (designer)|Oliver Smith]], costumes by Helene Pons and Oliver Smith, and lighting by Peggy Clark.<ref name=Taubman>{{cite news| last=Taubman| first=Howard| title=Theatre: Noel Coward at the Helm; His 'Sail Away' Opens at the Broadhurst| work=The New York Times| date=4 October 1961| page=48| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A02EEDE133BE13ABC4C53DFB667838A679EDE| accessdate=2014-11-13|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=IBDB>{{cite web| title=Sail Away| url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2878| publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]]| accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref>

⚫
The show was then staged at the [[Savoy Theatre]] in the West End in 1962, where it opened on 21 June and ran for 252 performances, until 26 January 1963,<ref name=Guide>{{cite web| url=http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/london_shows_chronology/1962.htm| title=1962 chronology| publisher=Guide To Musical Theatre| accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref> directed by Coward.<ref name=album>{{cite web| url=http://castalbums.org/recordings/Sail-Away-1962-Original-London-Cast/3216| title=Sail Away: Original London Cast| date=1962| publisher=CastAlbums.org| accessdate=2014-11-13| quote=Also see liner notes for the Fynsworth Alley label CD release (2003)}}</ref><ref name=Payn1>{{cite book| last1=Payn| first1=Graham| last2=Morley| first2=Sheridan| title=The Noel Coward Diaries| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pwx7sZo5wvIC&pg=PA507| chapter=Sail Away| publisher=Da Capo Press| date=1 October 1982| isbn=978-0306809606| page=459| accessdate=2014-11-13|chapter-url-access=subscription }}</ref> The musical was then produced, with Coward's personal directorial attention, in [[Melbourne]] in 1963, starring [[Maggie Fitzgibbon]].<ref name=NLA>{{cite web| title=Sail Away to New York| url=http://www.nla.gov.au/pub/gateways/archive/43/p01a01.html| work=Gateways| via=[[National Library of Australia]]| date=February 2000| number=43| accessdate=2014-11-13| issn=1039-3498}}</ref>

⚫
It was revived at the [[New Victoria Theatre#Rhoda McGaw Theatre|Rhoda McGaw Theatre]] in [[Woking]], England in 1998.<ref name=Woking>{{cite web| url=http://www.rowlandlee.com/Theatre2.htm| title=Theatre: Sail Away| publisher=RowalndLee.com| access-date=2014-11-13| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126222100/http://www.rowlandlee.com/Theatre2.htm| archive-date=26 November 2014}}</ref> [[Gerald Gutierrez]] directed a November 1999 staged concert version in the Weill Recital Hall of [[Carnegie Hall]], starring Stritch.<ref name=brantley>{{cite news| last=Brantley| first=Ben| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/06/theater/theater-review-the-magic-takes-longer-but-the-wand-seems-intact.html?gwh=D57821E222A9449BA3E373FF496B1C68&gwt=pay| title=The Magic Takes Longer But the Wand Seems Intact| work=[[The New York Times]]| date=6 November 1999| accessdate=2014-11-13|url-access=subscription }}</ref> A concert version played in July 2008 at [[Sadler's Wells Theatre|Sadler's Wells' Lilian Baylis Theatre]], directed by Ian Marshall Fisher in the ''Lost Musicals'' series, starring [[Penny Fuller]] as Mimi, Vivienne Martin as Mrs. Van Mier, and Rupert Young as John.<ref name=Playbill>{{cite news| last=Shenton| first=Mark| url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/117723.html| title=Penny Fuller to Sail Away to London| work=[[Playbill]]| date=14 May 2008| access-date=2014-11-13| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708220318/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/117723.html| archive-date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

⚫
Not only did Coward write the book, music and lyrics, and also direct the show, he even designed the show poster.<ref name=Payn1/> Some of its songs are well known, including "Why Do the Wrong People Travel?" "Useless, Useful Phrases", "The Customer's Always Right" and the title song. The song "Sail Away" was first used by Coward in his 1950 musical ''[[Ace of Clubs (musical)|Ace of Clubs]]''.


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 74: Line 126:
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Musicals by Noël Coward]]
[[Category:Musicals by Noël Coward]]
[[Category:Musicals set on ships]]

Latest revision as of 21:08, 9 August 2024

Sail Away
Sheet music (cover)
MusicNoël Coward
LyricsNoël Coward
BookNoël Coward
Productions
  • 1961 Broadway
  • 1962 West End
  • 1998 Woking, England revival

Sail Away is a musical with a book, music and lyrics by Noël Coward. The show was the last musical for which Coward wrote both the book and music, although he wrote the music for one last "book" musical in 1963.

The story centres on brash, bold American divorcee Mimi Paragon, working as a hostess on a British cruise ship. The musical ran on Broadway (1961) and in the West End (1962) and has been revived since. Elaine Stritch was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the original production.

Background

[edit]

Elaine Stritch started in the show in a "relatively minor role and was only promoted over the title and given virtually all the best songs when it was reckoned that the leading lady...although excellent, was rather too operatic for a musical comedy."[1] During out-of-town tryouts in Boston, Coward was "unsure about the dramatic talents" of one of the leads, opera singer Jean Fenn. "They were, after all, engaged for their voices and...it is madness to expect two singers to play subtle 'Noel Coward' love scenes with the right values and sing at the same time." Joe Layton suggested "What would happen if ...we just eliminated [Fenn's] role and gave everything to Stritch? ...The show was very old-fashioned, and the thing that was working was Elaine Stritch...every time she went on stage [she] was a sensation. The reconstructed 'Sail Away'...opened in New York on 3 October."[2]

According to Ben Brantley, "Coward wrote in his diary that Ms. Stritch sang 'so movingly that I almost cried.' He went on to say about making her the show's star: 'There is no doubt about it. I made the right decision.'"[3]

Synopsis

[edit]

The setting for the show is aboard the British luxury cruise ship Coronia, bound for the Mediterranean in 1961. The plot involves a romantic love affair aboard a cruise ship, with all the classic wit and charm of Broadway's golden era. Recent divorcée Mimi Paragon is stuck serving tourists as one of the ship's hostesses when she is drawn to the much younger and strikingly handsome Johnny Van Mier. Complicating their relationship are several eccentric and hilarious cruise ship characters – from the cynical and quirky Sweeneys; to Johnny's dominating and diva-like mother, Mrs. Van Mier; to the wacky novelist Spencer Bollard and her wide-eyed niece, Nancy.[4]

Original cast and characters

[edit]
Character Broadway (1961)[5] West End (1962)[6]
Mimi Paragon Elaine Stritch
John Van Mier James Hurst David Holliday
Mrs. Van Mier Margalo Gillmore Mavis Villiers
Elinor Spencer-Bollard Alice Pearce Dorothy Reynolds
Nancy Foyle Patricia Harty Sheila Forbes
Barnaby Slade Grover Dale
Joe / Ali Charles Braswell John Hewer
Mrs. Lush Evelyn Russell Margaret Christensen
Alvin Lush Paul O'Keefe Stephen Ashworth
Maimie Candijack Betty Jane Watson Stella Moray
Mrs. Sweeney Paula Bauersmith Edith Day

Songs

[edit]

A song titled "The Bronxville Darby and Joan" was added for the London production.[7]

Productions

[edit]

Sail Away had out-of-town tryouts for three weeks each in Boston and Philadelphia. The show opened on Broadway on 3 October 1961, at the Broadhurst Theatre and closed on 24 February 1962 after 167 performances. It was directed by Coward (the last of his works that he directed)[8] and choreographed by Joe Layton with scenic design by Oliver Smith, costumes by Helene Pons and Oliver Smith, and lighting by Peggy Clark.[9][10]

The show was then staged at the Savoy Theatre in the West End in 1962, where it opened on 21 June and ran for 252 performances, until 26 January 1963,[11] directed by Coward.[12][13] The musical was then produced, with Coward's personal directorial attention, in Melbourne in 1963, starring Maggie Fitzgibbon.[14]

It was revived at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre in Woking, England in 1998.[7] Gerald Gutierrez directed a November 1999 staged concert version in the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, starring Stritch.[3] A concert version played in July 2008 at Sadler's Wells' Lilian Baylis Theatre, directed by Ian Marshall Fisher in the Lost Musicals series, starring Penny Fuller as Mimi, Vivienne Martin as Mrs. Van Mier, and Rupert Young as John.[15]

Not only did Coward write the book, music and lyrics, and also direct the show, he even designed the show poster.[13] Some of its songs are well known, including "Why Do the Wrong People Travel?" "Useless, Useful Phrases", "The Customer's Always Right" and the title song. The song "Sail Away" was first used by Coward in his 1950 musical Ace of Clubs.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Morley, Sheridan (2005). "Pomp and Circumstance". Noël Coward: Autobiography. London: Haus Publishing. p. 126. ISBN 1-904341-88-8. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  2. ^ Hoare, Philip (22 May 1998). "Sail Away". Noel Coward: A Biography. University of Chicago Press. p. 472. ISBN 978-0226345123. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. ^ a b Brantley, Ben (6 November 1999). "The Magic Takes Longer But the Wand Seems Intact". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  4. ^ Concord Theatricalsaccessed 07/16/2023
  5. ^ Playbill 1961 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/16/2023
  6. ^ Playbill 1962 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/16/2023
  7. ^ a b "Theatre: Sail Away". RowalndLee.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  8. ^ Mander, Raymond; Joe Mitchenson (1957). Theatrical Companion to Coward. London: Rockliff. p. 481 and passim. OCLC 470106222.
  9. ^ Taubman, Howard (4 October 1961). "Theatre: Noel Coward at the Helm; His 'Sail Away' Opens at the Broadhurst". The New York Times. p. 48. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Sail Away". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  11. ^ "1962 chronology". Guide To Musical Theatre. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Sail Away: Original London Cast". CastAlbums.org. 1962. Retrieved 13 November 2014. Also see liner notes for the Fynsworth Alley label CD release (2003)
  13. ^ a b Payn, Graham; Morley, Sheridan (1 October 1982). "Sail Away". The Noel Coward Diaries. Da Capo Press. p. 459. ISBN 978-0306809606. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Sail Away to New York". Gateways. February 2000. ISSN 1039-3498. Retrieved 13 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ Shenton, Mark (14 May 2008). "Penny Fuller to Sail Away to London". Playbill. Archived from the original on 8 July 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
[edit]
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