- The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd
Infobox Musical
name= The Roar of the Greasepaint -
The Smell of the Crowd
subtitle=
caption= Original Recording
music=Leslie Bricusse
Anthony Newley
lyrics=Leslie Bricusse
Anthony Newley
book=Leslie Bricusse
Anthony Newley
basis=
productions=1965 Broadway
awards="The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd" is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by
Leslie Bricusse andAnthony Newley .Resembling a
music hall production more than abook musical , the allegorical plot examines the maintenance of thestatus quo between the upper and lower classes of British society in the 1960s. Since Sir forever is changing the rules of the game of life, downtrodden young Cocky always gets the short end of the stick. Assisting Sir is his eager disciple Kid, anxious to pick up bits of wisdom while helping keep Cocky in his place.With this project, Bricusse and Newley had hoped to match the success of their 1962 hit "
Stop the World - I Want to Get Off ". The show toured the UK in anticipation of aLondon opening, but audience interest was minimal, and it never reached the West End. Americantheatre producer David Merrick saw it inLiverpool and, aware production costs could be kept low, decided to bring it to the States, starting with a lengthy national tour. An original cast recording was released byRCA Victor long before the show reachedNew York City , andTony Bennett 's version of "Who Can I Turn To? " proved to be a hit that kept the show in the public's awareness. The tour was so successful that most of Merrick's investment was paid back while the show was on the road. It was the 1964 UK production of the musical in whichElaine Paige made her first professional appearance on stage.After seven previews, the Broadway production, directed by Newley and
choreographed byGillian Lynne , opened onMay 16 1965 at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 231 performances. The cast included Newley as Cocky,Cyril Ritchard as Sir, and newcomer Sally Smith as Kid, withJoyce Jillson in a supporting role.ong list
;Act I
* The Beautiful Land
* A Wonderful Day Like Today
* It Isn't Enough
* Things to Remember
* Put It in the Book
* This Dream
* Where Would You Be Without Me?
* Look at That Face
* My First Love Song
* The Joker
* Who Can I Turn To?;Act II
* A Funny Funeral
* That's What It Is To Be Young
* What a Man!
*Feeling Good
* Nothing Can Stop Me Now!
* Things to Remember (Reprise)
* My Way
* Who Can I Turn To? (Reprise)
* The Beautiful Land (Reprise)
* Sweet BeginningIn addition to Bennett, Newley and
Dusty Springfield had hit recordings of "Who Can I Turn To?""
Feeling Good " has been covered by a number of artists, includingSammy Davis, Jr. ,Nina Simone ,Yard Dogs Road Show , Muse,Michael Bublé , andThe Pussycat Dolls . "Look at That Face" was recorded byCarmen McRae ,Mel Tormé , andBarbra Streisand ."The Joker" was covered by
Shirley Bassey , and was recorded byGina Riley for use as the opening theme song for the Australian sitcomKath & Kim .Awards and nominations
*
Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Ritchard, nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Scenic Design (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Costume Design (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Producer of a Musical (nominee)
*Theatre World Award (Jillson, winner)References
"Open a New Window: The Broadway Musical in the 1960s" by
Ethan Mordden , published by Palgrave, 2001 (ISBN 0-312-23952-1)External links
*
* [http://users.bestweb.net/~foosie/gpaint.htm Commentary by Judy Harris]
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