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Harmony (musical)

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Harmony
A New Musical
Poster for the planned Broadway production
MusicBarry Manilow
LyricsBruce Sussman
BookBruce Sussman
BasisThe life of the Comedian Harmonists
PremiereOctober 7, 1997: Mandell Weiss Theatre, San Diego
Productions1997 La Jolla Playhouse
2013 Atlanta
2014 Los Angeles
2022 Off-Broadway
2023 Broadway

Harmony is a stage musical with music by Barry Manilow and book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman. The musical tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, an ensemble of six young men in 1920s Germany who took the world by storm with their blend of sophisticated close harmonies and uproarious stage antics, until their inclusion of Jewish singers put them on a collision course with history.

The musical premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in the Mandell Weiss Theatre, in 1997. A planned Broadway production was slated for 2004, but due to lack of funds, it was ultimately canceled. The production opened in Atlanta in 2013, and Los Angeles in 2014, before an Off-Broadway production opened in April 2022. A Broadway transfer opened in November 2023 starring Chip Zien and Sierra Boggess. It closed on February 4, 2024.

Productions

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San Diego (1997)

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In February 1997, Harmony was announced to start previews on October 7, 1997, in the Mandell Weiss Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. It was created by Barry Manilow, with book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman.[1] It opened on October 19, 1997, and closed on November 30, 1997.[2] The entire production received mixed reviews, and was three hours in length.[3]

David Warren directed the production, with set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Mark Wendland, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy and lighting by Ken Posner.[4] Danny Burstein originated the role of Rabbi. Other cast members include Mark Chmiel as Lesh, James Clow as Bobby, Steven Goldstein as Erich, Thom Christopher Warren as Harry, Patrick Wilson as Chopin, Rebecca Luker as Mary and Janet Mez as Ruth.[5]

An out-of-town try-out in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was slated for opening on December 17, 2003, with previews on November 25, 2003. A Broadway run was also planned for 2004. Previews for the Philadelphia try-out was delayed to December 2, 2003,[6] with opening on December 10, 2003 due to delivery issues. Both productions were canceled following an announcement on November 13, 2003, due to lack of funds.[7]

Atlanta and Los Angeles (2013, 2014)

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After winning back the rights to the musical in 2005, Manilow and Sussman chose to run the musical at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. It ran from September 6, 2013, and closed on October 6, 2013.[8] It then ran at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California, from March 4, 2014, closing on April 13, 2014.[9]

Off-Broadway (2022)

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Harmony was planned to debut Off-Broadway at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, New York, on February 9, 2020, closing on March 29, 2020. The opening was subsequently delayed to February 11, 2021[10] and then again delayed to 2022. Previews began on March 23, 2022, opening on April 13, 2022 and ran until May 8, 2022.[11]

Warren Carlyle directed and choreographed the production,[11] with scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Linda Cho, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier and lighting by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer. Sara Edwards would also choreograph the Off-Broadway production.[12] Danny Kornfield portrayed Rabbi, with Steve Telsey playing Lesh, Sean Bell as Bobby, Eric Peters as Erich, Zal Owen as Harry, Blake Roman as Chopin, Sierra Boggess as Mary, Jessie Davidson as Ruth and Chip Zien as Older Rabbi.[12]

Broadway (2023-2024)

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A Broadway production of Harmony opened in 2023. Previews began at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 18, 2023, with an opening night of November 13, 2023. Warren Carlyle again directed and choreographed the production.[13] Kornfeld, Telsey, Bell, Peters, Owen, Roman, Boggess and Zien reprised their roles,[14] while Julie Benko originated the role of Ruth on Broadway.[15] An original cast album was released on August 31, 2023.[16]

The production played its final performance on February 4, 2024. It was not able to recoup the $15 million for which it was capitalized.[17]

Cast and characters

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Character San Diego[5] Atlanta[18] Los Angeles Off-Broadway[12] Broadway[19]
1997 2013 2014 2022 2023
"Rabbi" Josef Roman Cycowski[a] — — — Chip Zien
Mary Hegel Rebecca Luker Leigh Ann Larkin Sierra Boggess
Ruth Stern Janet Metz Hannah Corneau Jessie Davidson Julie Benko
Bobby Biberti James Clow Douglas Williams Sean Bell
Young "Rabbi"[a] Danny Burstein Shayne Kennon Danny Kornfeld
Harry Frommerman Thom Christopher Warren Tony Yazbeck Matt Bailey Zal Owen
Erich Collin Steven Goldstein Chris Dwan Eric Peters
Erwin "Chopin" Bootz Patrick Wilson Will Taylor Blake Roman
Ari "Lesh" Leshnikoff Mark Chmiel Will Blum Steven Telsey
Josephine Baker Thursday Farrar — — Ana Hoffman Allison Semmes
Marlene Dietrich[b] Jodi Stevens Lauren Elaine Taylor Chip Zien Kayleen Seidl
Standartenfϋhrer Kurt Zischke — — Andrew O'Shanick
  1. ^ a b Prior to the 2022 Off-Broadway production, one actor played Rabbi as both a young man and an old man.
  2. ^ In the off-Broadway production, this role was played by the actor playing the older Rabbi; the character was eliminated completely for the Broadway production.

Musical numbers

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Act I

  • "Harmony" – Older Rabbi and Comedian Harmonists
  • "And What Do You See?" – Mary
  • "This Is Our Time" – Young Rabbi, Mary, Ruth, Harry, The Group, and Ralliers
  • "Your Son Is Becoming a Singer" – Erich and Comedian Harmonists
  • "Every Single Day" – Young Rabbi
  • "How Can I Serve You Madame?" – Lesh and Comedian Harmonists
  • "The Wedding" – Company
  • "Home" – Bobby, The Group, and Older Rabbi

Act II

  • "We're Goin' Loco!" – Josephine Baker, Comedian Harmonists and Company
  • "Hungarian Rhapsody #20" – Comedian Harmonists
  • "Come to the Fatherland!" – Harry and Comedian Harmonists
  • "Where You Go" – Mary and Ruth
  • "In This World" – Chopin, Comedian Harmonists, and The Film Cast
  • "Threnody" – Older Rabbi
  • "Stars in the Night" – Company

Awards and nominations

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Off-Broadway production

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Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2022 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Musical Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Warren Carlyle Nominated
Off-Broadway League Awards Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical Won
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Musical Bruce Sussman Won
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Chip Zien Nominated

Broadway production

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Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2024 Drama League Awards[20] Outstanding Production of a Musical Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Lefkowitz, David (February 11, 1997). "Barry Manilow Musical Sets La Jolla Premiere". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  2. ^ Lefkowitz, David (November 27, 1997). "Harmony Runs Through Nov. 30 at La Jolla". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  3. ^ McKinley, Jesse (August 15, 2013). "Breaking Out of His Pop Prison". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Winer, Laurie (October 21, 1997). "Songs of Survival". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Harmony at La Jolla Playhouse Mandell Weiss Theatre 1997". About The Artists. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Jones, Kenneth (November 3, 2003). "Harmony Starts Dec. 2 in Philadelphia, a Week Later Than Expected". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "Harmony Canceled, No Longer Broadway-Bound". TheaterMania. November 13, 2003. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Farmer, Jim (September 6, 2013). "Preview: Phone call led to perfect "Harmony" between Barry Manilow, Alliance Theatre". Art + Design. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Harmony". Center Theatre Group. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Gans, Andrew (December 6, 2019). "Barry Manilow's Harmony Musical Will Now Open in 2021". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Gans, Andrew (August 23, 2021). "Barry Manilow's Harmony Musical Will Now Open in 2022". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Gans, Andrew (Feb 22, 2022). "Cast Complete for New York Premiere of Barry Manilow's Harmony, Starring Sierra Boggess and Chip Zien". Playbill. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  13. ^ Russo, Gillian (April 28, 2023). "Barry Manilow musical 'Harmony' to come to Broadway in the fall". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Evans, Greg (May 11, 2023). "Chip Zien Joins Cast Of Broadway-Bound Barry Manilow Musical 'Harmony'". Deadline. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Russo, Gillian (June 1, 2023). "Julie Benko joins 'Harmony' Broadway cast". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  16. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (August 31, 2023). "Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's Harmony Releases Broadway Cast Album August 31". Playbill. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Paulson, Michael (2024-01-16). "'Harmony,' Barry Manilow's Passion Project, to Close on Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  18. ^ Gioia, Michael (September 15, 2013). "Barry Manilow's Harmony Musical, With Tony Yazbeck, Will Blum, Leigh Ann Larkin and More, Opens Sept. 15". Playbill. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  19. ^ "Cast Complete for Broadway Premiere of Harmony". Playbill. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "2024 Drama League Awards". Drama League Awards. April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
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