Doctor Jazz (musical)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buster Davis
| Doctor Jazz | |
|---|---|
| Music | Luther Henderson Buster Davis |
| Lyrics | Buster Davis |
| Book | Buster Davis |
| Premiere | March 19, 1975: Winter Garden Theatre |
| Productions | 1975 Broadway |
Doctor Jazz is a 1975 musical with music by Luther Henderson and Buster Davis, with a book and lyrics by Davis. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was nominated for three Tony Awards for Best Choreography (Donald McKayle), Best Actress in a Musical (Lola Falana) and Best Costume Design (Raoul Pene Du Bois). The musical takes its name from the 1920s Jazz standard Doctor Jazz and tells an original story primarily set in the Storyville district in New Orleans and revolving around Edna Mae Sheridan, her mother, who owns a brothel, and two men vying for her attention.[1][2]
Hal Linden was offered the lead in the play, but turned it down to accept the lead role in the TV series Barney Miller (which at the time, was only guaranteed for two episodes).[3]
Doctor Jazz opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on March 19, 1975. The show was directed and choreographed by Donald McKayle and produced by Cyma Rubin. The show struggled in previews, and closed after only five official performances.[4]