A Museum of Television & Radio Screening Series Musicals on Television
Monday, August 16, 2004
The Museum is happy to participate in the New York Musical Theatre Festival, a city-wide festival from September 13 to October 3, 2004, celebrating the diversity, creativity, and future of musical theater. For complete program information, visit www.nymf.org.
October 1
Motorola TV Hour: The Thirteen Clocks
Music and lyrics by Mark Bucci
Based on the fairy tale by James Thurber, adapted by Fred Sadoff
Directed by Donald Richardson
With John Raitt, Roberta Peters, Cedric Hardwicke, Basil Rathbone, and Russell Nype
A rare original television musical that is both enchanting and strange, via James Thurber, who—uncredited—worked with Mark Bucci on the lyrics. (1953; 50 minutes)
Producers' Showcase: Bloomer Girl
Music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E. Y. Harburg
Book by Fred Saidy and Sig Herzig, adapted for television by Leslie Stevens
Directed by Alex Segal
With Barbara Cook, Keith Andes, Carmen Mathews, and Paul Ford
This television adaptation of the Broadway show includes the complete "Civil War Ballet," choreographed by Agnes de Mille. (1956; 90 minutes)
October 2
DuPont Show of the Month: Aladdin
Music and lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by S. J. Perelman
Directed by Ralph Nelson
With Sal Mineo, Cyril Ritchard, Anna Maria Alberghetti,
Basil Rathbone, Una Merkel, Akim Tamiroff, and Geoffrey Holder
Cole Porter's final musical, written for television and given a lavish production, features a star-studded cast headed by Sal Mineo in the title role. (1958; 90 minutes)
ABC Stage 67: Evening Primrose
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Goldman, based on a story by John Collier
Directed by Paul Bogart
With Anthony Perkins, Charmian Carr, Dorothy Stickney, and Larry Gates
Stephen Sondheim's only musical written for television is about a group of people living a secret nighttime existence in a department store. (1966; 60 minutes)
October 3
That's Life
This short-lived television series stars Robert Morse and E. J. Peaker as a young married couple whose marriage is examined through musical comedy numbers, monologues, and sketches. This episode features guest stars Liza Minnelli and Paul Lynde. (1968; 55 minutes)
Cop Rock
The premiere episode (with songs by Randy Newman) of Steven Bochco's unsuccessful "police musical," a dark crime show with singing cops, murderers, and shady politicians. The cast includes Barbara Bosson, Ronny Cox, Larry Joshua, Peter Onorati, Anne Bobby, James McDaniel, and Vondie Curtis-Hall. (1990; 50 minutes)
Contribution for Museum admission: Members free; $10.00 for adults; $8.00 for students and senior citizens; $5.00 for children under fourteen. Museum Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Also Thursday evenings until 8:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays and these holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For more information on the Museum go to www.mtr.org.
For further information on the New York Musical Theatre Festival, contact Russell Kolody at (212) 472-7768, e-mail pr@nymf.org or go to www.nymf.org.