Play

Lesley Savage and Bert Stratford present:
MUSICAL CHAIRS
A new musical
Book by Barry Berg, Ken Donnelly, and Tom Savage
Music and Lyrics by Tom Savage
Based on an original story concept by Larry J. Pontillo
Assistant Director/Choreographer: Susan Stroman
Directed and Choreographed by Rudy Tronto
Opening Night: Rialto Theatre, May 14, 1980

Original Broadway Cast:
Ron Holgate, Lee Meredith, Brandon Maggart, Patti Karr, Jess Richards, Joy Franz, Grace Keagy, Enid Blaymore, Tommy Breslin, Edward Earle, Randall Easterbrook, Scott Ellis, Rick Emery, Eileen McCabe, Susan Stroman, Douglas Walker, Leslie-Anne Wolfe

Tech Specs and Synopsis:
Cast of 17 (9M, 8F). 1-6 musicians (6 orchestral parts incl. Piano/Vocal). 1 unit set, basic costumes, minimal props. 2 acts, 14 musical numbers. Running time (with intermission): 2 hrs., 20 min.
This bright show is about an audience watching a play. The setting is a section of the seats, where a disparate group of audience members react to the “play” they’re watching and interact with one another. The playwright, Joe Preston, has not had a hit in years, and he’s hoping his new play will revive his career. He is at the mercy of an off Broadway audience consisting of two typical “gray-haired matinee ladies”, an unhappy married couple who fight all the time, an anxious young man waiting for his date, an illiterate rock singer trying to impress his naïve girlfriend, a rough Texas businessman and his chic culture-vulture wife, and three critics–one of whom hates Preston’s work and another who begged his editor not to assign him to this show because his lover, who recently jilted him, is in the cast. As if all this weren’t enough pressure for the nervous playwright, who should arrive next but his gorgeous movie star ex-wife?! Poor Joe Preston! Marvelous music, hilarious comedy, poignant drama, and at least 6 showstoppers make this a surefire winner, perfect for stock and community theaters.
 .

Original Cast Album
(Click to purchase)

“It is clever, it is funny, it is original. Its only aim is to please, and it sure does!” — Clive Barnes, NEW YORK POST

“A lively, entertaining musical.” — VARIETY

Libretto: Samuel French, Inc. ISBN: 0-573-68145-7

Original Cast Album: Original Cast Records, CD #OC9792

See the Internet Broadway Database listing