Let My People Come

Last updated
Let My People Come
A Sexual Musical
Letmypeoplecomead.jpg
Advertisement for cast album
MusicEarl Wilson, Jr.
LyricsEarl Wilson, Jr.
Phil Oesterman
Book Earl Wilson, Jr.
Productions1974 Off-Broadway
1974 London
1976 Broadway

Let My People Come is a musical with book and music by Earl Wilson, Jr. and lyrics by Wilson and Phil Oesterman. [1] Subtitled "A Sexual Musical", the sexually-explicit show originally ran from 1974 to 1976 at The Village Gate Theater in Greenwich Village, New York City. It began previews on Broadway on July 7, 1976, and closed on October 2, 1976, after 108 preview performances, technically never 'officially' opening for regular Broadway performances. [2] The score includes songs such as "I'm Gay", "Come in My Mouth", "Fellatio 101" and "The Cunnilingus Champion of Company C", and features on-stage nudity.

Contents

The show was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1975 for Best Original Cast Album. [3] The title of the 1976 softcore pornographic comedy film Let My Puppets Come , written and directed by Gerard Damiano, was a parody of Let My People Come.

Notable productions

Off-Broadway

Let My People Come opened Off-Broadway on January 8, 1974, at The Village Gate and closed on July 5, 1976. [4] A second New York City production opened in 1985, produced by Martin Marlowe and Bernard Jay. [5] A third New York City production opened in 2013 at The Underground, produced and directed by John Forslund, and featured both new and re-imagined numbers from the original production. [6] [7]

The show had a 10-year run at Grendel's Lair Cabaret Theatre in Philadelphia, and an 8-year run at the Basin Street Cabaret Theater in Toronto. [8] The show also had runs in Chicago [9] and London. [10] Also at the West End Theatre in Washington, DC.

Broadway

Originally produced and directed by Phil Oesterman, [11] with musical direction and vocal arrangements by Billy Cunningham, the show opened on Broadway in previews at the Morosco Theater on July 7, 1976. [12] [13] The original cast included Yvette Freeman. Wilson sought a close order but was denied, and removed his name from the production. According to The New York Times , "Earl Wilson Jr. has asked to have his name removed from any credits for the Broadway production of Let My People Come. "I feel that the show has become vulgar," he said." [14] This production did not officially open, and closed on October 2, 1976. [15]

Musical numbers

  1. "Everybody Loves to Screw"
  2. "Give It to Me"
  3. "I'm Gay"
  4. "Come in My Mouth"
  5. "Dirty Words"
  6. "Linda, Georgina, Marilyn & Me"
  7. "I Believe My Body"
  8. "Take Me Home with You"
  9. "Choir Practice"
  10. "And She Loved Me"
  11. "The Cunnilingus Champion of Company C" (later replaced by "Whatever Turns You On")
  12. "Doesn't Anybody Love Anymore?"
  13. "Let My People Come"

Lawsuit

"The Cunnilingus Champion of Company C" was the subject of a lawsuit filed by MCA Music against Wilson, and which was decided in favor of the plaintiffs in 1976. The court found that the song, which openly borrows the melody from "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by Don Raye and Hughie Prince, "could not be construed as a burlesque of plaintiff's work per se", but was merely a "commentary on an era" and therefore was not protected by fair use. As a result, the defendants were found liable for copyright infringement. [16]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Let My People Come". RockyMusic. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  2. ↑ " Let My People Come Broadway" ibdb.com
  3. ↑ "Grammy Awards 1975". Awards Shows. Awards And Shows. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  4. ↑ "Off-Broadway" lortel.org, retrieved October 12, 2017
  5. ↑ "Bernard Jay 1976 to 1989 (in the USA)" bernardjay.co.za
  6. ↑ Wollman, Elizabeth L. "A ‘Sexual Musical,’ Now Middle-Aged" The New York Times, December 27, 2012
  7. ↑ Healy, Patrick. "‘Let My People Come’ to Bare Itself in New York Again" The New York Times, December 12, 2012
  8. ↑ Bradburn, Jamie (2009-06-23). "Vintage Toronto Ads: And So The People Came". Torontoist. Buzz Connected Media Inc. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  9. ↑ "Let My People Come". Theatre In Chicago. Theatre In Chicago. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  10. ↑ "Let My People Come Show Information". Broadway World. Wisdom Digital Media. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  11. ↑ Sisaro B "Philip Oesterman obituary" The New York Times, August 4, 2002
  12. ↑ "'Let My People Come' To Go to Broadway" The New York Times, June 26, 1976
  13. ↑ " 'Let My People’ Postponed" The New York Times, July 26, 1976
  14. ↑ "Wilson Objects To New ‘People’ " The New York Times. July 1976
  15. ↑ "Broadway" ibdb.com, retrieved October 12, 2017
  16. ↑ "Music Copyright Infringement Resource: MCA Music v. Earl Wilson 425 F. Supp. 443 (S.D.N.Y. 1976)".

Related Research Articles

<i>Kiss Me, Kate</i> 1948 stage musical

Kiss Me, Kate is a musical written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the conflict on and off-stage between Fred Graham, the show's director, producer, and star, and his leading lady, his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi. A secondary romance concerns Lois Lane, the actress playing Bianca, and her gambler boyfriend, Bill, who runs afoul of some gangsters. The original production starred Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, Lisa Kirk and Harold Lang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Kander</span> American musical theatre composer

John Harold Kander is an American composer, known largely for his work in the musical theater. As part of the songwriting team Kander and Ebb, Kander wrote the scores for 15 musicals, including Cabaret (1966) and Chicago (1975), both of which were later adapted into acclaimed films. He and Ebb also wrote the standard "New York, New York".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Ebb</span> Musical artist

Fred Ebb was an American musical theatre lyricist who had many successful collaborations with composer John Kander. The Kander and Ebb team frequently wrote for such performers as Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera.

<i>Annie Get Your Gun</i> (musical) 1946 musical by Irving Berlin

Annie Get Your Gun is a musical with lyrics and music by Irving Berlin and a book by Dorothy Fields and her brother Herbert Fields. The story is a fictionalized version of the life of Annie Oakley (1860–1926), a sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and her romance with sharpshooter Frank E. Butler (1847–1926).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Strouse</span> American composer and lyricist

Charles Strouse is an American composer and lyricist best known for writing the music to such Broadway musicals as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter Garden Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Winter Garden Theatre is a Broadway theatre at 1634 Broadway in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Originally designed by architect William Albert Swasey, it opened in 1911. The Winter Garden's current design dates to 1922, when it was completely remodeled by Herbert J. Krapp. Due to the size of its auditorium, stage, and backstage facilities, it is favored for large musical productions. It has 1,600 seats and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The auditorium interior is a New York City landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burton Lane</span> American composer and lyricist (1912–1997)

Burton Lane was an American composer and lyricist primarily known for his theatre and film scores. His most popular and successful works include Finian's Rainbow in 1947 and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Imperial Theatre is a Broadway theater at 249 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1923, the Imperial Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was constructed for the Shubert brothers. It has 1,457 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The auditorium interior is a New York City designated landmark.

<i>The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas</i> Musical play

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Simon Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Neil Simon Theatre, originally the Alvin Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 250 West 52nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1927, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was built for Alex A. Aarons and Vinton Freedley. The original name was an amalgamation of Aarons's and Freedley's first names; the theater was renamed for playwright Neil Simon in 1983. The Neil Simon has 1,467 seats across two levels and is operated by the Nederlander Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August Wilson Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The August Wilson Theatre is a Broadway theater at 245 West 52nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1925, the theater was designed by C. Howard Crane and Kenneth Franzheim and was built for the Theatre Guild. It is named for Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson (1945–2005). The August Wilson has approximately 1,225 seats across two levels and is operated by Jujamcyn Theaters. The facade is a New York City designated landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. James Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The St. James Theatre, originally Erlanger's Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 246 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1927, it was designed by Warren and Wetmore in a neo-Georgian style and was constructed for A. L. Erlanger. It has 1,709 seats across three levels and is operated by Jujamcyn Theaters. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gershwin Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Gershwin Theatre is a Broadway theater at 222 West 51st Street, on the second floor of the Paramount Plaza office building, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Opened in 1972, it is operated by the Nederlander Organization and is named after brothers George and Ira Gershwin, who wrote several Broadway musicals. The Gershwin is Broadway's largest theater, with approximately 1,933 seats across two levels. Over the years, it has hosted musicals, dance companies, and concerts.

<i>Eubie!</i> Musical revue

Eubie! Is a revue featuring the music of jazz/swing composer Eubie Blake, with lyrics by Noble Sissle, Andy Razaf, Johnny Brandon, F. E. Miller, and Jim Europe. As with most revues, the show features no book, but instead showcases 23 of Eubie Blake's best songs. The idea of the show was conceived by Julianne Boyd. It opened in 1978, receiving positive reviews from Time, Newsweek, Variety, Backstage, and The Today Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway Theatre (53rd Street)</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Broadway Theatre is a Broadway theater at 1681 Broadway in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1924, the theater was designed by Eugene De Rosa for Benjamin S. Moss, who originally operated the venue as a movie theater. It has approximately 1,763 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The Broadway Theatre is one of the few Broadway theaters that is physically on Broadway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music Box Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Music Box Theatre is a Broadway theater at 239 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1921, the Music Box Theatre was designed by C. Howard Crane in a Palladian-inspired style and was constructed for Irving Berlin and Sam H. Harris. It has 1,025 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marquis Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Marquis Theatre is a Broadway theater on the third floor of the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1986, it is operated by the Nederlander Organization. There are about 1,612 seats in the auditorium, spread across an orchestra level and a balcony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lena Horne Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Lena Horne Theatre is a Broadway theater at 256 West 47th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1926, it was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in a Spanish Revival style and was constructed for Irwin Chanin. It has 1,069 seats across two levels and is operated by the Nederlander Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morosco Theatre</span> Broadway theatre in Manhattan, New York

The Morosco Theatre was a Broadway theatre near Times Square in New York City from 1917 to 1982. It housed many notable productions and its demolition, along with four adjacent theaters, was controversial.

<i>Holler If Ya Hear Me</i> (musical) Jukebox musica

"Holler If Ya Hear Me is a jukebox musical written by Todd Kreidler featuring the rap music of Tupac Shakur.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.