Fade Out – Fade In: Difference between revisions
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'''''Fade Out - Fade In''''' is a [[musical theatre|musical]] with a book and lyrics by [[Betty Comden]] and [[Adolph Green]] and music by [[Jule Styne]]. The story involves the movie industry in the 1930s and starred [[Carol Burnett]]. |
'''''Fade Out - Fade In''''' is a [[musical theatre|musical]] with a book and lyrics by [[Betty Comden]] and [[Adolph Green]] and music by [[Jule Styne]]. The story involves the movie industry in the 1930s and starred [[Carol Burnett]]. |
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| ⚫ | The story involves chorus girl Hope Springfield, full of hope but not much talent, who accidentally is given the starring role in a new movie. When the error is discovered, heads roll and the completed film is shelved. But Rudolf, the nephew of studio head Lionel Z. Governor, takes a liking to the girl and arranges for a sneak preview. The movie is a success, Hope (rechristened Lila Tremaine) becomes a star, and in true Hollywood happily-ever-after fashion she and Rudolf walk off into the sunset hand-in-hand. |
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| ⚫ | Comden and Green, who tackled the problems [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] players faced when the film industry transitioned from [[silent film|silent movies]] to [[Sound film|talkies]] in the classic ''[[Singin' in the Rain (film)|Singin' in the Rain]]'', |
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| ⚫ | Comden and Green, who tackled the problems [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] players faced when the film industry transitioned from [[silent film|silent movies]] to [[Sound film|talkies]] in the classic ''[[Singin' in the Rain (film)|Singin' in the Rain]]'', turned to Tinseltown in the 1930s with this project. The show spoofs some of the great film stars of the era, such as [[Shirley Temple]] and [[Bill Robinson|Bill "Bojangles" Robinson]], and Governor is based on [[MGM]] [[honcho]] [[Louis B. Mayer]], known for his roving eye for pretty starlets and deep-seated [[nepotism]]. |
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==Production== |
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After six previews, the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production, directed by [[George Abbott]] and [[choreographed]] by Ernest Flatt, opened on [[May 26]] [[1964]] at the [[Mark Hellinger Theatre]], where it ran for 274 performances. The cast included [[Carol Burnett]] as Hope Springfield, Dick Patterson as Rudolf, and [[Lou Jacobi]] as Lionel Z. Governor, with [[Jack Cassidy]] and [[Tina Louise]] in supporting roles. Cassidy was nominated for the [[Tony Award]] for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. |
After six previews, the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production, directed by [[George Abbott]] and [[choreographed]] by Ernest Flatt, opened on [[May 26]] [[1964]] at the [[Mark Hellinger Theatre]], where it ran for 274 performances. The cast included [[Carol Burnett]] as Hope Springfield, Dick Patterson as Rudolf, and [[Lou Jacobi]] as Lionel Z. Governor, with [[Jack Cassidy]] and [[Tina Louise]] in supporting roles. Cassidy was nominated for the [[Tony Award]] for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. |
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When Burnett created her [[eponymous]] variety series in 1967, she hired ''Fade Out - Fade In'' choreographer Flatt and lead dancer Don Crichton to join the creative team. |
When Burnett created her [[eponymous]] variety series in 1967, she hired ''Fade Out - Fade In'' choreographer Flatt and lead dancer Don Crichton to join the creative team. |
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==Plot synopsis== |
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==Song list== |
==Song list== |
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{{col-begin}} |
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{{col-2}} |
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*The Thirties |
*The Thirties |
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*It's Good to Be Back Home |
*It's Good to Be Back Home |
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*My Fortune is My Face |
*My Fortune is My Face |
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*Lila Tremaine |
*Lila Tremaine |
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{{col-break}} |
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*Go Home Train |
*Go Home Train |
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*Close Harmony |
*Close Harmony |
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*The Fiddler and the Fighter |
*The Fiddler and the Fighter |
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*Fade Out - Fade In |
*Fade Out - Fade In |
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{{Col-end}} |
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==Reference== |
==Reference== |
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Revision as of 15:28, 16 July 2007
| Fade Out - Fade In | |
|---|---|
 Original cast recording | |
| Music | Jule Styne |
| Lyrics | Betty Comden Adolph Green |
| Book | Betty Comden Adolph Green |
| Productions | 1964 Broadway |
Fade Out - Fade In is a musical with a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne. The story involves the movie industry in the 1930s and starred Carol Burnett.
The story involves chorus girl Hope Springfield, full of hope but not much talent, who accidentally is given the starring role in a new movie. When the error is discovered, heads roll and the completed film is shelved. But Rudolf, the nephew of studio head Lionel Z. Governor, takes a liking to the girl and arranges for a sneak preview. The movie is a success, Hope (rechristened Lila Tremaine) becomes a star, and in true Hollywood happily-ever-after fashion she and Rudolf walk off into the sunset hand-in-hand.
Comden and Green, who tackled the problems Hollywood players faced when the film industry transitioned from silent movies to talkies in the classic Singin' in the Rain, turned to Tinseltown in the 1930s with this project. The show spoofs some of the great film stars of the era, such as Shirley Temple and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Governor is based on MGM honcho Louis B. Mayer, known for his roving eye for pretty starlets and deep-seated nepotism.
After six previews, the Broadway production, directed by George Abbott and choreographed by Ernest Flatt, opened on May 26 1964 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, where it ran for 274 performances. The cast included Carol Burnett as Hope Springfield, Dick Patterson as Rudolf, and Lou Jacobi as Lionel Z. Governor, with Jack Cassidy and Tina Louise in supporting roles. Cassidy was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Excellent reviews lead to a box office bonanza, and in its early weeks the show consistently outgrossed competitors Hello, Dolly! and Funny Girl. Then Burnett was sidelined due to a serious neck injury sustained in a taxi accident. The production temporarily shut down, then reopened with Betty Hutton in the lead. After recuperating, Burnett returned to the cast, but left shortly afterwards to participate in The Entertainers, a television variety series her husband Joe Hamilton was producing for CBS. When the show's producers threatened a breach-of-contract lawsuit, Burnett returned, but the financial losses sustained during her two absences proved to be insurmountable, and the production soon was shuttered.
An original cast recording was released by Decca Records.
When Burnett created her eponymous variety series in 1967, she hired Fade Out - Fade In choreographer Flatt and lead dancer Don Crichton to join the creative team.
Song list
Act I
- The Thirties
- It's Good to Be Back Home
- Fear
- Call Me Savage
- The Usher from the Mezzanine
- I'm With You
- The Usher from the Mezzanine (Reprise)
- My Fortune is My Face
- Lila Tremaine
Act 2
- Go Home Train
- Close Harmony
- You Mustn't Be Discouraged
- The Dangerous Age
- L.Z. In Quest of His Youth
- The Fiddler and the Fighter
- Fade Out - Fade In
Reference
Fade Out - Fade In Original Broadway Cast Recording, compact disc released by Decca USA, May 2003, liner notes by Peter Filichia