| The Grass Harp | |
|---|---|
| Music | Claibe Richardson, |
| Lyrics | Kenward Elmslie |
| Book | Kenward Elmslie |
| Basis | The Grass Harp by Truman Capote |
| Premiere | November 2, 1971: Martin Beck Theatre |
| Productions | 1971 Martin Beck Theatre |
The Grass Harp is a musical play based on the novel by the same name by Truman Capote. It opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 2, 1971 and starred Barbara Cook, Carol Brice and Karen Morrow.
The Grass Harp tells the story of eccentric Southern spinster Dollyheart Talbo, her companion Catherine, and her nephew Collin, who flee their home and the clutches of Dolly's demanding sister Verena and her opportunistic boyfriend; even deciding to leave the house and live in a tree. They do this to protect Dolly's secret recipe for an elixir from Verena's greedy plans. Verena, driven by ambition, wants to exploit the recipe for riches and marriage.
Celeste Holm was originally cast to play Dollyheart, along with Cass Elliot from the Mamas and Papas to play Babylove.
Out of town previews premiered at Trinity Square Repertory Company in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Opening night was a "three-and-a-half hour long marathon disaster", as remembered by lyricist Kenward Elmslie. [1] "Elaine Stritch, a crowd-pleaser as Babylove, was consistently crocked and nightly gave Claibe near-heart failure – erratic tempi and pitch." All three critics (Norton, Record-American, Kelly, the Globe, and Hirsch. the Herald) panned it. [2]
Broadway previews for The Grass Harp began on October 28, 1971 before opening at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 2, 1971. The production closed after 7 performances on November 6, 1971. The opening night cast included Carol Brice (Catherine Creek), Barbara Cook (Dolly Talbo), Ruth Ford (Verena Talbo) and Karen Morrow (Babylove). The production was directed by Ellis Rabb and Rhoda Levine with book and lyrics by Kenward Elmslie and music by composer Claibe Richardson. [3]
Although the show closed after just 7 performances on Broadway, it has since developed a cult following due to the cast recording; which was released in April 1972. [2] Lyricist Kenward Elmslie recalled: "I remember when the album came out, listeners, including some critics, couldn’t figure out why on earth the show had flopped on Broadway." [1] The Grass Harp was the last unamplified musical to hit Broadway. Composer Claibe Richardson never had another musical on Broadway. [2]
| Original Broadway Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Carol Brice | Catherine Creek |
| Barbara Cook | Dolly Talbo |
| Ruth Ford | Verena Talbo |
| Max Showalter | Dr. Morris Ritz |
| Russ Thacker | Collin Talbo |
| John Baragrey | Judge Cool |
| Kelley Boa | One of the Heavenly Pride and Joys |
| Trudy Bordoff | One of the Heavenly Pride and Joys |
| Colin Duffy | One of the Heavenly Pride and Joys |
| Eva Grant | One of the Heavenly Pride and Joys |
| David Craig Moskin | One of the Heavenly Pride and Joys |
| Christine Stabile | Maude Riordan |
| Harvey Vernon | Sheriff Amos Legrand |