Description
I'm currently listing a large number of playbills from out-of-town tryouts prior to the Broadway runs. Many are from early performances when revisions were common and include song titles that were cut before opening in New York. (See cut song below.) ....... This is a rare April 1966 playbill from the Pre-Broadway tryout of the JERRY HERMAN musical comedy hit "MAME" at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Following tryouts in Philadelphia and Boston, the production would open May 24th, 1966 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City and run for 1508 performances.) ..... The musical starred the Tony Award winning ANGELA LANSBURY and featured BEATRICE (Bea) ARTHUR, JANE CONNELL, WILLARD WATERMAN, CHARLES BRASWELL, JERRY LANNING, MARGARET HALL, GEORGE COE, CHARLOTTE JONES, SAB SHIMONO, RANDY KIRBY; JOHN C. BECHER, JOHANNA DOUGLAS, DIANA WALKER, DIANE COUPE and FRANKIE MICHAELS ..... CREDITS: Music and Lyrics by JERRY HERMAN ("Milk and Honey", "Hello, Dolly!", "Mack and Mabel", "La Cage Aux Folles" and "Dear World"); Book by JEROME LAWRENCE and ROBERT E. LEE based on the novel "Auntie Mame" by PATRICK DENNIS; Sets designed by WILLIAM and JEAN ECKART; Costumes designed by ROBERT MACKINTOSH; Choreographed by ONNA WHITE; Directed by GENE SAKS; Produced by FRYER, CARR and HARRIS ..... DETAILS: The 50 page playbill measures 6" X 9" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team, but no cast photos. Includes a full page ad for the Original Broadway Cast recording of "MAME" (Coming Soon!) on Columbia Records (last scanned image) ..... CUT SONG: The list of musical numbers includes "Love is Only Love" which was cut out-of-town ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
