Sail Away (musical)
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| Sail Away | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music (cover) | |
| Music | Noël Coward |
| Lyrics | Noël Coward |
| Book | Noël Coward |
| Productions |
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Sail Away is a musical with a book, music and lyrics by Noël Coward. The show was the last musical for which Coward wrote both the book and music, although he wrote the music for one last "book" musical in 1963.
The story centres on brash, bold American divorcee Mimi Paragon, working as a hostess on a British cruise ship. The musical ran on Broadway (1961) and in the West End (1962) and has been revived since. Elaine Stritch was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the original production.
Elaine Stritch started in the show in a "relatively minor role and was only promoted over the title and given virtually all the best songs when it was reckoned that the leading lady...although excellent, was rather too operatic for a musical comedy."[1] During out-of-town tryouts in Boston, Coward was "unsure about the dramatic talents" of one of the leads, opera singer Jean Fenn. "They were, after all, engaged for their voices and...it is madness to expect two singers to play subtle 'Noel Coward' love scenes with the right values and sing at the same time." Joe Layton suggested "What would happen if ...we just eliminated [Fenn's] role and gave everything to Stritch? ...The show was very old-fashioned, and the thing that was working was Elaine Stritch...every time she went on stage [she] was a sensation. The reconstructed 'Sail Away'...opened in New York on 3 October."[2]
According to Ben Brantley, "Coward wrote in his diary that Ms. Stritch sang 'so movingly that I almost cried.' He went on to say about making her the show's star: 'There is no doubt about it. I made the right decision.'"[3]
Synopsis
The show is set aboard the British luxury cruise ship Coronia bound for the Mediterranean in 1961. The plot involves a romantic love affair aboard a cruise ship, with all the classic wit and charm of Broadway's golden era. Recent divorcée Mimi Paragon is stuck serving tourists as a hostess when she is drawn to the much younger and strikingly handsome Johnny Van Mier. Complicating their relationship are several eccentric characters, from the cynical and quirky Sweeneys to Johnny's dominating and diva-like mother, Mrs. Van Mier; to the wacky novelist Spencer Bollard and her wide-eyed niece, Nancy.[4]
Original cast and characters
| Character | Broadway (1961)[5] | West End (1962)[6] |
|---|---|---|
| Mimi Paragon | Elaine Stritch | |
| John Van Mier | James Hurst | David Holliday |
| Mrs. Van Mier | Margalo Gillmore | Mavis Villiers |
| Elinor Spencer-Bollard | Alice Pearce | Dorothy Reynolds |
| Nancy Foyle | Patricia Harty | Sheila Forbes |
| Barnaby Slade | Grover Dale | |
| Joe / Ali | Charles Braswell | John Hewer |
| Mrs. Lush | Evelyn Russell | Margaret Christensen |
| Alvin Lush | Paul O'Keefe | Stephen Ashworth |
| Maimie Candijack | Betty Jane Watson | Stella Moray |
| Mrs. Sweeney | Paula Bauersmith | Edith Day |
Songs
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A song titled "The Bronxville Darby and Joan" was added for the London production.[7]
