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Saravá (musical)

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Saravá
MusicMitch Leigh
LyricsN. Richard Nash
BookN. Richard Nash
Productions1978 Chicago try-out
1979 Broadway

Saravá is a musical with a book and lyrics by N. Richard Nash and music Mitch Leigh. The musical was based on the book Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands by Brazilian writer Jorge Amado, published in 1966.

Synopsis

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Set in Salvador, Bahia, the musical starts with the sudden death of Dona Flor's husband, Vadinho, who collapses in the midst of Carnival celebrations. After a period of mourning, Dona Flor attracts another admirer, a local pharmacist, Teodoro. While her new husband lacks the passionate sensuality of Vadinho, he compensates by providing a life free of worry. But, on the first anniversary of her marriage, Vadinho returns. He is now a ghost, but has lost none of his old ways.

History

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The musical started its try-out period at the Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. It ran from December 25th 1978 to January 6th 1979, being cut short by a week due to poor reviews and low tickets sales. The Broadway production opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on January 11, 1979, and moved to Broadway Theatre on March 1, 1979, where it closed after 101 performances and 38 previews.[1] It ran for a total of 177 performances.[2]

Original cast and characters

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Character Broadway (1979)[3]
Dona Flor Tovah Feldshuh
Vadinho P.J. Benjamin
Teo Michael Ingram
Dona Paiva Betty Walker
Rosalia Randy Graff
Dionisia Carol Jean Lewis
Arigof Reginald Cannon-Jackson
Antonio Alan Abrams
Costas Doncharles Manning

Song list

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Reception

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The production received generally mixed reviews with the Daily News calling it "polished" but "without inner energy"[4] and The Journal News saying the "exotic" performance of actress Tovah Feldshuh kept the musical running "longer than it deserved."[5]

Awards and honors

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Original Broadway production

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Year Award Category Nominee Result
1979 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Tovah Feldshuh Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Saravá (Broadway, Times Square Church, 1979)". Playbill. 2015-12-14. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  2. ^ "'Merlin' opening postponed again". The Akron Beacon Journal. Associated Press. 21 January 1983. p. 18. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  3. ^ Playbill 1979 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/15/2023
  4. ^ Watt, Robert (12 February 1979). "'Sarava': ghost of a chance to succeed". Daily News. p. 90. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  5. ^ Taylor, Robert (26 November 1980). "Feldshuh does her acting homework". The Journal News. Gannett News Service. p. 31. Retrieved 30 September 2022.