The Happy Time
Memorabilia Available
The Happy Time
Book by Mark Saltzman Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin
The Happy Time is a musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by N. Richard Nash loosely based on a 1950 hit Broadway play, The Happy Time by Samuel A. Taylor, which was in turn based on stories by Robert Fontaine. The story had also been made into a 1952 film version.
The original 1968 Broadway production was directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, who won Tony Awards in each categ
Run
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Opening & Closing Dates
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Type & Version
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Theatre
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Jan 18, 1968 - Sep 28, 1968
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Musical / Original
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Broadway Theatre, NY, USA
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Background and Productions
Producer David Merrick had initially asked Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields to write the songs and Yves Montand to play the lead, but they were all busy with other projects and declined to participate.[1] Merrick then asked N. Richard Nash to write the script, but Nash suggested an original story of his own. Merrick, holding the rights to The Happy Time, asked that the setting be changed to Canada, and the deal was set. The final script had little of the Taylor play but did use the characters and some minor details from Fontaine’s stories. Nash showed the outline of the story to Kander and Ebb, who agreed to write the music.[2]
The Happy Time opened on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre on January 18, 1968. It received mixed reviews from the critics, who generally admired the performances but noted large deficiencies in the script.[3] It closed on September 28, 1968, after a run of 286 sparsely attended performances and 23 previews. It was the first Broadway musical to lose a million dollars.[4] The production was directed, filmed, and choreographed by Gower Champion, set design by Peter Wexler, costume design by Freddy Wittop, lighting design by Jean Rosenthal, film sequences created by Christopher Chapman, film technical direction by Barry O. Gordon, orchestrations by Don Walker, musical direction and vocal arrangements by Oscar Kosarin, associate choreography by Kevin Carlisle, and dance and incidental music arrangements by Marvin Laird.
The production starred Robert Goulet (Jacques Bonnard), David Wayne (Grandpere Bonnard), Michael Rupert (Bibi Bonnard), Julie Gregg (Laurie Mannon), and George S. Irving (Philippe Bonnard), Charles Durning (Louis Bonnard), Gena Page (Annabelle Bonnard), Julane Stites (Gillie Bonnard), Connie Simmons (Nanette Bonnard), June Squibb (Felice Bonnard), Jacki Garland (Lizette), Mary Gale Laverenz (Dorine), Tammie Fillhart (Sylvie), Mary Ann O’Reilly (Monique), Vicki Powers (Bella), Susan Sigrist (Grace), Julie Gregg (Laurie Mannon), Jeffrey Golkin (Foufie), and Dallas Johann (Ganache). Students of St. Pierre Boys’ School were Ron Abshire (dancer), Jovanni Anthony (dancer), Quinn Baird (dancer), Andy Bew (dancer), Blake Brown (dancer), Leonard Crofoot (dancer), Ron Crofoot (dancer), Wayne Dugger (dancer), Joe Giamalva (dancer), Dallas Johann (dancer), Gene Law (dancer), Steve Reinhart (dancer), Jon Simonson (dancer), Sammy Williams (swing), Marc Anthony (singer), Alan Blight (singer), George Connelly (singer), Tom De Mastri (singer), Paul Dwyer (singer), Scott Gandert (singer), Eric Hamilton (singer), Gary Hamilton (singer), Jeffrey Hamilton (singer), Kevin Hamilton (singer), Mark Lonergan (singer), Brandy Wayne (singer), Teddy Williams (singer), and Marc Winters (singer).
The Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut, presented the show in April 1980-May 1980. The production was revised, by rewriting the book “so that it no longer changes its tune in the second act”, eliminating photographic projections and adding four songs that had been dropped.[5]
In May 2002 the Niagara University Theatre in Niagara Falls, NY staged a revival of The Happy Time. The shows’ composer and lyricist, Kander and Ebb, went to Niagara University to work with the cast, helping recreate their little known work. “They were here a few weeks ago for rehearsals and thought the show was just beautiful…”[6] Most notably, they incorporated five songs, originally cut from the musical, into the production, as well as making a few other minor changes. “This NU Theatre production, with Kander and Ebb’s blessing, has reinstated several songs and restored text, prompting them to label this version ‘definitive.'”[7]
The revised version was performed in New York City for the first time in 2007 in a staged reading by Musicals Tonight!, as part of their season long tribute to George S. Irving, who returned to the show, this time playing Jacques’ father, Grandpere.[8]
The Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA staged a revised production of The Happy Time from April 1, 2008 through June 1, 2008. The production was directed by Michael Unger and choreographed by Karma Camp.[9] It received favorable reviews. For example, the Washington Post wrote: “A little charmer… Effervescent. The cast is strong… which is part of why it generally feels like a luxury to be able to see the show in this space.”[10] Variety agreed: “Fresh and earnest… staged with ultimate intimacy in Signature’s tiny ARK Theater.”[11]
Plot
Jacques Bonnard is a prize-winning photographer who travels the world. He returns to his 1920s French-Canadian village, after five years away, seeking the happy time of his childhood. His cantankerous but lovable father (Grandpere), two brothers and their wives, and their children all welcome him (“He’s Back”). His stories of his travels have a profound effect on his nephew Bibi, who is having trouble at school and going through an especially rough puberty, inspiring the boy to want to live life to the fullest. Jacques goes to a nightclub and takes Grandpere and Bibi, where they are entertained by the dancers (Six Angels) (“Catch My Garter”). After their night on the town, Bibi begs Jacques to “Please Stay”.
When Bibi takes Grandpere’s “naughty” pictures to school and is discovered, his stern father Philippe forces him to apologize to his school-mates. Bibi is embarrassed and upset and tries to cajole Jacques into taking him away when he leaves. Although Jacques at first agrees, thinking that Bibi will be a companion, he quickly realizes that this would not be good for Bibi.
Meanwhile, Jacques finds it difficult to commit to his former sweetheart Laurie (“I Don’t Remember You”). The couple finally realize that they have opposite ideas about life and the future (“Seeing Things”), with Laurie understanding that Jacques is emotionally a boy, like her students. Grandpere, Jacques and Bibi playfully sing an ode to “A Certain Girl”. Jacques finally realizes that he returned home searching for family and love (“Running”), and understands that he must set out alone again.
Awards and Nominations
- Tony Awards and Nominations
- Best Musical (nominee)
- Best Score—Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb (nominee)
- Best Actor (Musical)
- Robert Goulet (winner)
- David Wayne (nominee)
- Best Featured Actor (Musical) — Michael Rupert (nominee)
- Best Featured Actress (Musical) — Julie Gregg (nominee)
- Best Scenic Designer — Peter Wexler (nominee)
- Best Costume Designer — Freddy Wittop (nominee)
- Best Choreographer—Gower Champion (winner)
- Best Director (Musical) — Gower Champion (winner)[12]
- Theatre World Award — for debut performances
- Julie Gregg (winner)
- Michael Rupert (winner)[13]
Musical Numbers
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Recordings
The Original Broadway cast recording was released by RCA Victor Broadway in January 1968 and the CD was released on March 10, 1992.[14]
The Happy Time (1968 Original Broadway Cast) ….Great Price Now
The Happy Time (1968 Original Broadway Cast) by John Kander and Fred Ebb(1992) - Cast Recording
References
- Gilvey, p. 183
- Gilvey, pp. 182-84
- Gilvey, p. 200
- William Ruhlmann, Allmusic
- Rich, Frank, “Stage:’The Happy Time’ at the Goodspeed”, The New York Times, May 7, 1980, p. C29
- Staff, “Coming to See ‘The Happy Time'”, Buffalo News, May 3, 2002, p.C2
- Hadley, Ted, “Happy Time is Here Again”, Buffalo News (New York), May 2, 2002, pC8
- “Reviews: The Happy Time”, musicalstonight.org, retrieved March 13, 2009
- Jones, Kenneth.“Sentimental Journey: Signature Revives Kander & Ebb’s Happy Time April 1”, playbill.com, April 1, 2008
- Pressley, Nelson. “The Happy Time: a Little Charmer”, The Washington Post, April 10, 2008, p. C05
- Harris, Paul. “The Happy Time”, Variety, April 7, 2008
- List of 1968 Tony Award Nominees and Winners
- List of Theatre World Award Winners
- Amazon.com: The Happy Time (1968 Original Broadway Cast)
External Links
- Internet Broadway Database
- Broadwayworld article on 2007 concert
- Theatreonline review of the 2007 concert
- Potomac Stages review of Signature Theatre production, April 10, 2008
Category: Musical
