It was a busy season for musicals with an even dozen bidding for acceptance. Of the dozen that came to town only two of them seemed truly successful. They were "Irma La Douce" with its' infectious music, brilliant direction by Peter Brook, and a dynamic performance by Elizabeth Seal, and "Carnival "with it's evocative music, brilliantly atmospheric staging by Gower Champion, and a fine company headed by the enchanting Anna Maria Alberghetti.
If the remaining ten were uneven in quality most provided a fair amount of entertainment. "Tenderloin" had a wonderful score and a problematic book. "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" had a weak book, a lively score, and a remarkably energetic performance by Tammy Grimes. "Wildcat" had some rousing songs and an engaging star in Lucille Ball but was otherwise a very weak show
"Do Re Me" had Phil Silvers and Nancy Walker as stars and was good fun because of them, and "Camelot" was stunning to look at but uninteresting to listen to.
"The Conquering Hero" had a funny book [based on a classic film] and a decent score but due to poor management was gone within a week.
"Thirteen Daughters" had a very engaging Don Ameche as star and handsome scenery and costumes, but was otherwise an impovershed salute to the then new state of Hawaii, and "The Happiest Girl In The World"tried to merge Aristophanes with Offenbach, but the result was a melodic but ponderous show.
The seasons' final musical was"Donnybrook" based on the film "The Quiet Man" and it was a pleasantly undistinguished,but decently entertaining show.
The next blog will wrap up the season.
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