The Vamp

Last updated
The Vamp
Music James Mundy
Lyrics John La Touche
Book Sam Locke
John La Touche
Productions1955 Broadway

The Vamp is a stage musical with a book by Sam Locke and John La Touche with lyrics by La Touche and music by James Mundy. [1]

Contents

The show is set in the 1920s and tells the story of Flora Weems, a farm girl turned actress and the behind the scenes drama of making a silent film version of Samson and Delilah. [2]

Production history

The show had its out-of-town tryout at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, running from October 11–15, 1955. The show at the time was called Delilah and later renamed to The Vamp. [3] The show next opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on November 10, 1955 and closed on December 31, 1955 running for a total of 60 performances. [4] The show was directed by David Alexander and choreographed by Robert Alton. Costumes and set design were by Raoul Pène Du Bois and musical direction was by Milton Rosenstock. The show was nominated for three Tony Awards including Best Lead Actress in a Musical for Carol Channing, Best Choreography and Best Conductor and Musical Director for Rosenstock. [5]

Original cast and characters

CharacterBroadway (1955)
Flora Weems / Delilah Carol Channing
Oliver Oxheart David Atkinson
Bessie Bisco Bibi Osterwald
Dick Hicks / Stanley HubermyerRobert Rippy
Elsie ChelseaPatricia Hammerlee
Charlie Matt Mattox
Myron Hubbard Jack Waldron
Barney Ostertag Paul Lipson
Stark Clayton Malcolm Lee Beggs
Uncle Garvey Will Geer
Samson / Muscle Man Steve Reeves
Aunt HesterSandyl Cordell
Whip ManDavid Kashner
Bluestone Jack Harrold
Ensemble Cathryn Damon

Musical numbers

References

  1. Atkinson, Brooks (11 November 1955). "Theatre: Carol Channing; Portrays 'The Vamp' in Winter Garden Show". The New York Times.
  2. Pollack, Howard (2017). "The Vamp". The Ballad of John Latouche: An American Lyricist's Life and Work. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oso/9780190458294.003.0020. ISBN   978-0-19-045829-4.
  3. https://www.amazon.com/Channing-Delilah-Atkinson-Tryout-Playbill/dp/B00ZAJP2CM
  4. https://www.playbill.com/production/the-vamp-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011587#carousel-cell209050
  5. Calta, Louis (10 November 1955). "THE VAMP' BEGINS ITS RUN TONIGHT; Musical Spoofing Silent Film Era Stars Carol Channing at the Winter Garden". The New York Times.