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''Kelly'' is a musical with a book and lyrics by Eddie Lawrence and music by Mark Charlap. It was inspired by Steve Brodie, who in 1886 claimed to have jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and survived. The 1965 musical is notable for having closed after its opening night performance on Broadway, becoming one of the biggest flops in Broadway history. ==Background== Inspired by the 1880s tale of Brooklyn Bridge-jumper Steve Brodie, the musical features period characters Diamond Jim Brady, Frank and Jesse James, Tony Pastor, Lillian Russell and John L. Sullivan. Of the show's origins, Eddie Lawrence, lyricist and librettist, recalled that: "Moose Charlap had finished doing his songs for ''Peter Pan'', starring Mary Martin, and a couple of one-acts of mine were being performed while I toured late night TV plugging my comedy album. During the afternoons, we worked on ''Kelly''. It was a labour of love."〔Sleeve notes for CD ''Kelly''. Original Cast Records OC8802 (1998)〕 At that early stage, the show was titled ''Never Go There Anymore''. Lawrence further recalls that "we ran into some producers who said they'd been waiting for this show all their lives and wanted to present it on Broadway." The show's original producer was Broadway stalwart Edward Padula (in association with January Productions), whose deal included a motion picture adaptation.〔Sleeve notes for LP ''Eddie Lawrence and Moose Charlap sing their Songs from Kelly''. Original Cast Records OC8025 (1980)〕 Toward the end of 1963, it was reported that the budget had been set at $350,000, with $100,000 to be invested by Roulette Records. At this early stage, a number of actors were named as possible leads. Impressionist Frank Gorshin and film actor Richard Harris were both considered for the lead male role, while Mark Charlap's wife, pop singer Sandy Stewart, was considered for the lead female role. Lindsey Anderson was engaged as the show's director. Rehearsals were scheduled to start on 27 January 1964, with a Broadway opening planned for March. None of this, however, came to pass. By April of that year, the show had been taken up by new producers, David Susskind, Daniel Melnick, and Joseph E. Levine of Embassy Pictures. Levine financed $250,000 of the $400,000 budget, with the balance coming from Columbia Records and six other investors. The sponsors acquired the motion picture rights by placing a down payment of $500, with the ultimate cost rising to a maximum of $650,000 based on a percentage of ticket sales for each of the show's profitable weeks.〔Zolotow, Sam. ("New Group Plans to Put On 'Kelly'; Levine, Susskind, Melnick Will Produce Musical" ), ''The New York Times'', April 17, 1964. Accessed October 18, 2009.〕 Before its Broadway opening, the show was presented for three weeks in Philadelphia and half a week in Boston. While ''Kelly'' was in tryouts, roles played by Ella Logan, Jack Creley, and Avery Schreiber were cut. Pre-Broadway promotion for the show included an event on the Brooklyn Bridge with a series of chorus girls.〔("City Lends the Brooklyn Bridge to Show Girls and Press Agent" ), ''The New York Times'', October 28, 1964. Accessed October 18, 2009.〕 Directed and choreographed by Herbert Ross, the musical began previews at the Broadhurst Theatre on February 1, 1965 and opened (and closed) on February 6 after seven previews and one performance. The cast included Wilfrid Brambell, Don Francks, Anita Gillette, Mickey Shaughnessy, Eileen Rodgers, and Jesse White. Scenic design was by Oliver Smith, costume design by Freddy Wittop, and lighting design by Tharon Musser.〔(''Kelly'' at the Internet Broadway Database )〕 The show's logo, which featured on posters and playbills (and, much later, on the LP and CD covers) was designed by French-born illustrator Tomi Ungerer, who was then (and remains) best known for his children's picture books. Industry representatives quoted in ''The New York Times'' stated they "could not recall any other Broadway musical representing such a comparable expenditure that became a casualty so quickly." Costs had ballooned to $650,000, with the biggest loser being Levine, followed by Melnick and Susskind, who had invested a total of $150,000. There had been increasing arguments between the producers and writers, with Susskind complaining that the authors were unwilling to make changes per the recommendations of the investors. Charlap and Lawrence were so upset with changes that they filed suit in New York Supreme Court seeking an injunction to prevent the play from opening. While the judge urged that the parties pursue arbitration, lawyers representing Charlap and Lawrence were threatening to sue for damages that had been caused through "unauthorized changes, omissions and additions" made to the musical.〔Zolotow, Sam. ("$650,000 'Kelly' Lasts One Night; Joseph E. Levine Principal Loser on Musical" ), ''The New York Times'', February 9, 1965. Accessed October 18, 2009.〕 In his review in ''The New York Times'', critic Howard Taubman opened by noting that "Ella Logan was written out of ''Kelly'' before it reached the Broadhurst Theater Saturday night. Congratulations, Miss Logan," and continued to describe what he saw as a production for which there were "ample critical, if not legal, grounds for an injunction," lampooning the legal wrangling that had gone on about the production.〔Taubman, Howard. ("Theater: 'Kelly' Opens at Broadhurst; Musical Comedy About Old New York" ), ''The New York Times'', February 8, 1965. Accessed October 18, 2009.〕 The play's brief life was later described by Melnick's son as "not his () favorite moment in history," but nonetheless one he wore with grace.〔Martin, Douglas. ("Daniel Melnick, Hollywood Producer, Dies at 77" ), ''The New York Times'', October 16, 2009. October 18, 2009.〕 Later that year, there were reports of an off-Broadway revival of the show, to be produced by David Rubinson of Columbia Records. This was intended to present the show in its original form, as conceived by Lawrence and Charlap, as opposed to the much-revised and re-written version that finally opened on Broadway.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kelly (musical)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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