Wonderworld (musical)

"Wonderworld" is a musical with lyrics by Stanley Styne and music by Jule Styne written specifically for presentation at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The production was conceived and staged by Leon Leonidoff, a senior producer at Radio City Music Hall.

With admission prices ranging from $1.00 to $3.00, the $2 million production was presented four times a day Monday through Thursdays and five times a day on Saturdays and Sundays [ [http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1963/09/28/1963_09_28_036_TNY_CARDS_000274900 Susan Lardner, "Wonderworld," "The New Yorker", September 28, 1963, p. 36] ] in the 11,000-seat Art Deco amphitheatre constructed for the 1939 New York World's Fair. It utilized 250 performers, including Chita Rivera, Gretchen Wyler, and Ted Scott. The choreographer and assistant director was Michael Kidd. ["Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage" by Richard Seff, published by Xlibris Corporation (2006), p. 189 ISBN 1425739334]

Billed as an "aqua-stage spectacle", the 90-minute production opened in May 1964. It involved high divers, motorcycles, clowns, and elaborate water scenes staged in the pool.

A bankruptcy petition was filed at the end of June 1964, ["New York Times", July 1, 1964, p.21] and the show closed the week of July 6 due to poor business at the Fair's Lake Amusement Area. Max Allentuck, the General Manager, said the "big production wasn't working" and they wanted to try a different kind of show. A 50-minute comedy-song show with a cast of 20 replaced it. None of the "Wonderworld" principals were involved in the new show. ["The New York Times" Walter Carlson, June 3, 1964, p. 37; Robert Alden, July 6, 1964, p. 30; and Phillip Dougherty, July 19, 1964, p. 64]

ee also

Billy Rose's Aquacade

References

*"At the Fair: A Lavish 'Wonder World'" by Richard F. Shepard, "The New York Times", May 18, 1964, p. 32