Production history
The musical had a developmental staging at the Goodspeed Musicals May 13-June 6, 2004, with most of the Broadway cast, except for Manley Pope in the lead role of Chad. Christopher Ashley directed, with choreography by Jody Moccia. The musical had a tryout in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace from December 19, 2004, through January 23, 2005. [1] After the tryout, changes were made to the finale and to add "a more specific instrumental and vocal voice" for Chad. [2]
- Broadway
The musical premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 24, 2005, and closed on September 25, 2005, after 213 performances and 33 previews. Directed by Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Ken Roberson, the original Broadway cast included Cheyenne Jackson (Chad), Jenn Gambatese (Natalie Haller/"Ed"), and Jonathan Hadary (Jim Haller). [2] [3] [4]
- US National tour
The US National tour played 35 cities in September 2006 – 2007, directed by Christopher Ashley, and featuring Joe Mandragona as Chad, and Jenny Fellner as Natalie. [5] Sergio Trujillo revised the choreography for the tour. [6]
- "Love Me Tender" - 2015 UK Tour
In 2015, a UK tour of the show commenced at Manchester Opera House in June 2015 with the show being retitled "Love Me Tender". The production starred Mica Paris as 'Sylvia', Sian Reeves as ‘Mayor Matilda Hyde’, Shaun Williamson as ‘Jim’ and Ben Lewis as ‘Chad'.
Synopsis
This synopsis is based on the current licensed version
- Act One
Somewhere in the Midwest in the 1950s, Chad, a hip-swivelling, guitar-playing roustabout, is released from a weekend in jail ("Jailhouse Rock"). In a nearby dreary little town, a young mechanic named Natalie yearns for love and adventure, unaware that her best friend Dennis has a crush on her. Sitting in Sylvia's Honky-Tonk, the townspeople lament their feelings of loneliness ("Heartbreak Hotel"), before getting interrupted by the roar of a motorbike; Chad has arrived in town ("Roustabout").
In need of a mechanic, Chad is introduced to Natalie, who is instantly smitten ("One Night With You"). Upon learning that Mayor Matilda and the silent Sheriff Earl enforce the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act, outlawing "loud music, public necking, and tight pants", Chad seeks to incite rebelliousness in the citizens ("C'mon Everybody"). Whilst Natalie repairs his motorbike, Chad inspires her to take to the open road ("Follow That Dream").
Chad recruits Dennis as his sidekick. The newly-formed duo meet the town's museum owner Miss Sandra, whom Chad instantly falls in love with ("One Night With You—Chad”). He attempts to smooth-talk her, but she resists ("Teddy Bear/Hound Dog"), retreating to the Honky-Tonk where Natalie's widowed father, Jim, also falls for her ("One Night With You—Jim”).
Matilda's teenage son, Dean, declares his love for Sylvia's daughter, Lorraine. Chad encourages their blossoming relationship, much to Sylvia's dismay ("That's All Right"). Matilda demands that Dean is sent away on a bus to military academy. However, Dean disobeys his mother to stay in town with Lorraine ("It's Now or Never").
Desperate for Chad's attention, Natalie disguises herself as a man named 'Ed' to become closer with him ("Love Me Tender"). Dressed as a leather-jacketed roustabout, Ed dramatically rides into town, with Chad instantly dropping Dennis as his sidekick in favor of him ("Blue Suede Shoes"). Jim seeks romance advice from Chad, both unaware they seek the same woman ("Don't Be Cruel"). Under Chad's orders, Ed visits the museum to give Sandra a Shakespearean sonnet, which Dennis had previously suggested. Incidentally, Sandra finds herself attracted to Ed ("One Night With You—Sandra”). Flustered, Ed tries leaving, but Sandra is intent on seducing him ("Let Yourself Go").
Matilda, appalled that Dean has stayed in town to be with Lorraine, vows to arrest Chad due to his influence. Ed suggests that Chad should hide in the town's abandoned fairgrounds to evade capture. Jim, now with extra confidence, condemns Sylvia for having grown so bitter, and gives her a very surprising kiss. Soon, everyone in town find themselves escaping to the fairgrounds, searching for someone to love ("Can't Help Falling in Love").
- Act Two
In the midst of the abandoned fairgrounds, the townspeople are restless and randy ("All Shook Up"). Dennis reveals to Natalie that he's upset about the way Chad treats her, however she disregards his worries ("It Hurts Me"). Disguised as Ed, Natalie attempts to bond with Chad by asking for advice on how to seduce a woman, but accidentally kisses him in the process, leaving the two of them stunned ("A Little Less Conversation"). Chad and Jim realize they are both in love with the same woman: Sandra, who is lustfully searching the fairgrounds for Ed ("Power Of My Love"). Chad is initially enraged, but soon realizes that he too has feelings for his new sidekick ("I Don't Want To").
Meanwhile, Matilda and Earl search the fairgrounds for the elusive roustabout ("Devil In Disguise"). Jim, heartbroken that Sandra doesn't care for him, comes across Sylvia, who confesses her feelings for him ("There's Always Me"). Dean and Lorraine plan to leave town, but they run into Chad, who convinces them to stay and fight for their love ("If I Can Dream").
Chad, Dean, and Lorraine confront Matilda. Earl finally breaks his silence, denying Matilda's orders to arrest Chad and instead confessing his love for her. With a newfound acceptance of love, Matilda allows Dean and Lorraine to remain together, as does Sylvia ("Can't Help Falling In Love -reprise"). Chad bravely confesses his feelings for Ed, who proceeds to reveal his true identity being Natalie. Shocked and afraid, Chad rushes to leave town. Dennis takes the opportunity to confess his long-time crush to Natalie, who kindly rejects him. However, he and Sandra notice a common admiration for Shakespeare and subsequently fall in love with each other ("One Night With You—Sandra and Dennis”). Left alone with her father Jim, Natalie reconciles with Chad's absence ("Fools Fall In Love").
Some time later, a triple wedding consisting of Jim & Sylvia, Matilda & Earl and Dennis & Sandra takes place. Chad makes an unexpected return to the town, interrupting the wedding and declaring his love for Natalie. She decides to pursue her dreams with him and hit the open road together. The brides and grooms marry while the town celebrates ("Burning Love").
Instrumentation
The original Broadway production had fifteen musicians, including the musical director and associate conductor. The original production was scored for two keyboards, two guitars, electric bass, drums, percussion, four woodwinds, three trumpets, and trombone. The first keyboard part was played by the conductor and the second keyboard part also doubled on organ. The first woodwind part doubled on piccolo, flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the second on flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the third on clarinet and tenor sax; the fourth on bass clarinet and baritone sax. There were also three trumpets where the first trumpet is the lead trumpet. The trumpets also doubled on flugelhorn.
The orchestration that is under the current license is based on the national tour version; there are only twelve musicians. The percussion part is removed, there are now three woodwind parts, and two trumpets. The rest remain the same. This time the first woodwind part doubles on flute and alto sax; the second on clarinet and tenor sax; the third on bass clarinet and baritone sax.
Original Broadway production
