Sweet Charity
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Sweet Charity, based on Fellini's play Nights of Cabiria, is a musical directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse; it tells the story of an optimistic young woman named Charity. The play premiered at the Palace Theatre, New York, on January 29 1966; the initial cast was:
- Gwen Verdon - Charity
- John McMartin - Oscar
- Thelma Oliver - Helene
- James Luisi - Vidal
- Arnold Soboloff - Daddy
- Sharon Ritchie - Ursala
Sweet Charity was nominated for a total of 12 Tony Awards; in 1986, it was revived for Broadway, and won 4 Tony Awards, for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Michael Ruper), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Bebe Neuwirth) and Best Costume Design (Patricia Zipprodt).
A film version was also produced in 1969, directed by Bob Fosse as well; it featured Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera, John McMartin, Paula Kelly, Stubby Kaye, Sammy Davis Jr., Ricardo Montalban and Bud Cort.
A new revival of the show starring Christina Applegate as Charity will be opening on Broadway on May 4 after a troubled three-city preview tour. Applegate broke her leg in Chicago, the second stop on the tour, and was replaced by her understudy, Charlotte d'Amboise. Then, after the final leg of the tour in Boston, the producers announced the production would not be continuing to the Great White Way, citing lack of interest. However, two days later, the Broadway engagement was re-born after Applegate convinced the producers to continue. A week into previews, Applegate rejoined the cast. The new production also stars a second-billed Denis O'Hare as Oscar, and Ernie Sabella as Herman.
External links
- Sweet Charity musical information (http://www.prigsbee.com/Musicals/shows/sweetcharity.htm)
- IMDb entry for Sweet Charity (1969) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065054/)de:Sweet Charity