Tovarich (musical)
1963 stage musical
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Tovarich is a 1963 stage musical in two acts with book by David Shaw; music by Lee Pockriss and lyrics by Anne Croswell; based on the comedy by Jacques Deval and Robert E. Sherwood.
| Tovarich | |
|---|---|
Original Cast Recording | |
| Music | Lee Pockriss |
| Lyrics | Anne Croswell |
| Book | David Shaw |
| Basis | 1935 French play Tovarich |
| Productions | 1963 Broadway |
Production history
The musical opened in New York at The Broadway Theatre on 18 March 1963 then transferred to Majestic Theatre and the Winter Garden Theatre. It ran for a total of 264 performances. Billboard reported that the production "having the distinction of being the first musical to open on Broadway without an original cast waxing contract, finally landed a deal when Capitol agreed to record the show last week [late May 1963]."[1]
The production was directed by Peter Glenville and choreographed by Herbert Ross. The original cast included Vivien Leigh, Jean Pierre Aumont, George S. Irving, Louise Kirtland, Alexander Scourby and Louise Troy.
Vivien Leigh won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Leigh left the production on short notice because of illness; understudy Joan Copeland took over the role October 7, 1963 and she was replaced by Eva Gabor on October 21, 1963.
Original cast and characters
| Character | Broadway (1963)[2] |
|---|---|
| Tatiana Petrovna | Vivien Leigh |
| Mikail Alexandrovich Ouratieff | Jean-Pierre Aumont |
| Gorotchenko | Alexander Scourby |
| Natalia Mayovskaya | Louise Troy |
| Charles Davis | George S. Irving |
| Grace Davis | Louise Kirtland |
| George Davis | Byron Mitchell |
| Helen Davis | Margery Gray |
| Maria Soukhomine | Bettye Jenkins |
| Marina | Rita Metzger |
| Vassily | Paul Michael |
Songs
|
|
¹ - music and lyrics by Joan Javits and Philip Springer
Awards and nominations
Original Broadway production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Vivien Leigh | Won |
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Louise Troy | Nominated |