Sweet Charity

Sweet Charity is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and book by Neil Simon. It is based on the Federico Fellini film Nights of Cabiria, which was inspired by the life of Giulietta Masina. The musical premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 1966, starring Gwen Verdon as Charity Hope Valentine, a role that earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, alongside Bob Fosse as the director and choreographer, who was also nominated for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography.

Background

The idea for Sweet Charity was conceived by Bob Fosse, who was inspired by the Federico Fellini film Nights of Cabiria, which tells the story of a prostitute who dreams of a better life. Neil Simon was brought on board to write the book, and Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields were tasked with creating the music and lyrics, respectively. The musical was produced by Robert Fryer and Lawrence Carr, with Harold Prince serving as the executive producer, and David Merrick as the associate producer, who had previously worked on other successful musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof and Hello, Dolly!. The show was choreographed by Bob Fosse, who had previously worked with Gwen Verdon on Damn Yankees and New Girl in Town, and featured a cast that included John McMartin as Oscar Lindquist, Thelma Oliver as Nickie, and Helon Blount as Daddy Johann Sebastian Brubeck, a character inspired by the counterculture movement of the 1960s, which was also reflected in the music of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Plot

The story of Sweet Charity follows the life of Charity Hope Valentine, a taxi dancer at a dance hall in New York City, who dreams of a better life. Charity is a romantic at heart, but her naivety and trusting nature often lead her into trouble, as she navigates the city's vibrant nightlife, which was also depicted in the works of Andy Warhol and Edgar Degas. She meets a range of characters, including Vittorio Vidal, a famous Italian film star, and Oscar Lindquist, a shy and awkward accountant who becomes infatuated with her, and is reminiscent of characters created by Woody Allen and François Truffaut. Along the way, Charity faces a series of challenges and setbacks, but ultimately learns to find her own path in life, with the help of her friends, including Nickie and Helene, who are inspired by the feminist movement of the 1960s, which was led by figures such as Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem.

Music

The music for Sweet Charity was written by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The show features a range of memorable songs, including Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, and There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This, which have become jazz standards, alongside the works of George Gershwin and Cole Porter. The score is a blend of jazz, blues, and pop music, reflecting the vibrant and eclectic musical landscape of the 1960s, which was also influenced by the British Invasion and the Motown sound. The show's music has been praised for its wit, sophistication, and emotional depth, and has been performed by a range of artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Diana Ross, who have all been inspired by the Great American Songbook.

Productions

Sweet Charity premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 1966, starring Gwen Verdon as Charity Hope Valentine. The show was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, and featured a cast that included John McMartin as Oscar Lindquist and Thelma Oliver as Nickie. The show was a critical and commercial success, running for 608 performances and earning several Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Actress in a Musical for Gwen Verdon, and Best Direction of a Musical for Bob Fosse. The show has since been revived on Broadway several times, including in 1986, starring Debbie Allen as Charity, and in 2005, starring Christina Applegate as Charity, and has also been performed in the West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre and the Barbican Centre, with productions featuring Joanna Lumley and Tamzin O'Garro.

Adaptations

Sweet Charity has been adapted into a film, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Shirley MacLaine as Charity Hope Valentine. The film was released in 1969 and features a range of memorable songs and dance numbers, including Big Spender and If My Friends Could See Me Now, which were also featured in the Broadway production. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning several Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Shirley MacLaine, and has since become a classic of American cinema, alongside the works of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. The show has also been adapted into a television special, featuring Veronica Castro as Charity, and has been performed in numerous concert productions, including a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall.

Reception

Sweet Charity has been widely praised for its witty and sophisticated book, its memorable and catchy music, and its energetic and engaging choreography, which has been influenced by the works of Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. The show has been hailed as a classic of American musical theatre, alongside other shows such as West Side Story and Chicago, and has been performed by a range of companies, including the New York City Center and the National Theatre. The show's themes of love, loss, and self-discovery continue to resonate with audiences today, and its music and choreography remain some of the most iconic and influential in the history of musical theatre, with influences from jazz and blues to rock and roll and hip hop. Category:Musicals