Music by Jerry Bock & George David Weiss Lyrics by George Davide Weiss & Larry Holofcener Book by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman Opened March 22, 1956 at the Broadway Theatre, (New York) and ran for 383 performances, closing on February 23, 1957. Setting: New York City; Union City, N.J.; Miami, Florida. Time: The Present. Synopsis: “Mr. Wonderful” was devised to introduce Sammy Davis, Jr., then known as at nightclub entertainer, to the legitimate stage. The show told the story of Charlie Welch, a small-time black performer whose fiancée, Ethel (Olga James), and whose white friend, Fred Campbell (Jack Carter), both believe he should be a star. They persuade him to try out his act at the Palm Club in Miami Beach. He does, and it a smash. Most of the second act was an on-stage repeat of the act Davis, his father, and his uncle played to applause as the Will Mastin Trio. Chita’s character was named Rita Romano. The score featured songs by many composers. The Jerry Bock, Larry Holofcener, and George Weiss score added two new standards to the repertory. The hit of the evening, “Mr. Wonderful,” was sung by Olga James. Davis’ big hit number was “Too Close for Comfort.”
Opening Night Production Credits Operated by Trebuhs Realty Co., Inc.; Owned by The Shubert Organization. Produced by Jule Styne and George Gilbert; Produced in association with Lester Osterman, Jr.. Musical Director: Morton L. Stevens Music orchestrated by Ted Royal and Morton L. Stevens Production Conceived by Jule Styne Featuring songs by Sam Coslow ("Sing, You Sinners"), W. Franke Harling ("Sing, You Sinners"), Sid Kuller ("Daddy, Uncle and Me"), Arthur Hammerstein ("Because of You"), Dudley Wilkinson ("Because of You"), Harold Arlen ("That Old Black Magic"), Johnny Mercer ("That Old Black Magic"), Buddy DeSylva ("Birth of the Blues"), Lew Brown ("Birth of the Blues"), Ray Henderson ("Birth of the Blues"), Cole Porter ("It's All Right With Me"), Benny Davis ("Dearest"), Harry Akst ("Dearest"), George Gershwin ("Liza"), Ira Gershwin ("Liza") and Gus Kahn ("Liza"). Entire Production Staged by Jack Donohue. Scenic Design by Oliver Smith Costume Design by Robert Mackintosh Lighting Design by Peggy Clark Assistants to Oliver Smith: Peggy Clark and Alan Bandler Assistant to Robert Mackintosh: Florence Klotz. In Charge of Production Sylvia Herscher Business Manager: Michael Goldreyer. Production Stage Manager: John Barry Ryan Stage Manager: Bernard Gersten Assistant Stage Mgr: Michael Wettach. Musical and Vocal Supervision by Oscar Kosarin Music Contractor: Phil Palmer. Choreographic Assistant to Jack Donohue: Hal Loman Secretary to Jack Donohue: Lillian Drazek Press Representative: John L. Toohey and Max Gendel.
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Opening Night Cast Jack Carter,
Fred Campbell
Mr. Wonderful trivia:
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Rare Mr. Wonderful publicity photographs from vintage newspapers. The reproductions are grainy, but the images are fantastic! This was a delicious and prominent comic role for Chita. |
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