About the Album: Based on the life of Colette, the Colette project had its origins in a play by Elinor Jones called Colette, starring Zoe Caldwell and Mildred Dunnock with a supporting cast featuring Keene Curtis, Holland Taylor and Barry Bostwick. Harvey Schmidt contributed incidental music, which he played at the piano onstage, and Tom Joes wrote lyrics for three songs which were sung at the beginning of the play. In the late ‘70s, Jones and Schmidt decided to try to make a full-length musical out of Colette’s life and thus begin the long struggle to compress her lengthy and colorful career into the “two hours traffic of the stage”. The first attempt reached its climax (and demise) in 1982 when a very elaborate version produced by Harry Rigby and Roger Stevens closed out of town.
A second version, considerably clarified and shorn of its large cast and elaborate production numbers, was well received when it was presented by the York Theatre Company in 1983. Even so, the authors were not completely satisfied with the results, feeling that some of the better songs from the Broadway version had been unnecessarily tossed aside. And thus it was that in 1991, in a production by Musical Theatre Works at St. Peter’s Church, Colette Collage achieved its final form. That production was sub-titled “Two Musicals About Colette”, and that, indeed, is what it was: two separate one-act musicals based on the same subject.
It’s hard to believe that this studio cast album came out twenty-five years ago. Produced by Bruce Kimmel, with a stellar and brilliant cast, and lovely orchestrations by Larry Moore, the music of Harvey Schmidt and lyrics of Tom Jones displayed the wit and beauty that is unique to them. The score is classic Jones and Schmidt – at once heartbreaking, haunting, and even occasionally hilarious. The original CD has been out of print for many, many years. We’ve spruced up the packaging and the sound and are thrilled to once again make this CD available on its twenty-fifth anniversary. If you missed it the first time around, which is probably the case, now’s your chance to discover this wonderful theater score. And, of course, the great cover art is by Harvey Schmidt.
Label: Kritzerland
HAND TO GOD Comes To CVRep Next Week
by Kay Kudukis
- March 20, 2023
Coachella Valley Repertory closes its 2022-2023 Season with the irreverent and hilarious five-time Tony®Award nominee and winner of Best New Play HAND TO GOD by Robert Askin. The NY Times called HAND TO GOD a 'darkly delightful play.' Audiences will laugh and, perhaps, wonder if they shouldn't be quite so totally entertained. It is truly a wild and wonderful ride! HAND TO GOD OPENS runs March 28-April 9. Craig Wells returns to CVRep to direct, set design is by Jimmy Cuomo, costumes by Emma Bibo, lighting design by Moira Wilke and the stage manager is John M. Galo. Puppets are by Ryan Marquart and Thomas Mitchell.
Music Theater Works Announces Cast And Creative Team For AVENUE Q
by A.A. Cristi
- February 02, 2023
Music Theater Works has announced the cast and creative team for the first production in its 43rd season, Avenue Q in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts In Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 9 - April 2.
Overture's Cabaret Series Returns With Nicholas Rodriguez
by Stephi Wild
- January 20, 2022
or this romantic engagement, our historic Capitol Theater is turned into an elegant cabaret with hors d'oeuvres in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. and gourmet dinner on stage at 7 p.m., followed by Nicholas Rodriguez: All is Fair in Love… at 8 p.m.
Theatre Life with Nicholas Rodriguez
by Elliot Lanes
- March 11, 2019
You most likely know today's subject Nicholas Rodriguez from his many area appearances at Arena Stage. Who could forget his Billy Bigelow in Carousel or his Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady or Curly in Oklahoma!? The latter garnered Nicholas a Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Mercury Theater Chicago Announces Cast Of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
by Julie Musbach
- February 21, 2019
Walter Stearns, Executive Director of Mercury Theater Chicago, announced today the cast and creative team of the upcoming LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, running on the main stage from March 1 through April 28. The press opening is Sunday, March 10 at 7:30pm. This hit sci-fi musical has devoured the hearts of audiences around the world for more than 30 years, following the story of floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of carnivorous plant that promises to grant him fame, fortune and all his desires - as long as the blood keeps flowing. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will feature the creative talents of Walter Stearns (Director), Eugene Dizon (Musical Director) and Christopher Carter (Choreographer)
BWW Flashback: Harvey Schmidt Reminisces on His Legendary Career in the Theatre
by Nicole Rosky
- March 01, 2018
As BroadwayWorld sadly reported earlier today, legendary composer Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!) passed away last night in Texas at 88 years of age. A family only funeral will take place in Texas next week, with a New York memorial to come at a future date.
TV: Try to Remember... Broadway Legends Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt Recall Career Highlights
by Nicole Rosky
- December 05, 2017
Just last night, the York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, honored legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala.
Richard Jay-Alexander Talks Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt for York Theatre Gala
by Robert Diamond
- December 03, 2017
This Weekend we reached out to Richard to fill us in on the event and what attendees can look forward to. We found him in the midst of rehearsals and planning for the event to take place at The Asia Society with cocktails beginning at 6:00 PM and the Award Presentation starting at 8:00 PM.
York Theatre Company's Star-Studded 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala Set for Monday
by BWW News Desk
- December 01, 2017
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue).
Lee Roy Reams, Randy Rainbow, Randy Harrison, Well-Strung and More Join Roster for York's 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Gala
by BWW News Desk
- November 21, 2017
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has added Samantha Bruce (The Fantasticks), Ava Della Pietra (School of Rock), Julian Fleisher (February House), Randy Harrison (Cabaret), Samantha Massell (Fiddler on the Roof), Randy Rainbow (Viral Video Sensation), Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street), Ben Rimalower (Bad with Money), the HOT singing string quartet Well-Strung, and The Manhattan School of Music Musical Theatre Ensemble (Judith Clurman, Director) to the line-up of Broadway performers who will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue).
Judy Kaye, Norm Lewis, Betsy Wolfe, Christopher Sieber and More Set for York Theatre's 26th Annual Oscar Hammerstein Gala
by BWW News Desk
- October 27, 2017
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, has announced a line-up of Broadway performers who will honor legendary musical theatre writing team Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (The Fantasticks, I Do, I Do!, 110 in the Shade, Celebration) with the 2017 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 26th Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala set for Monday evening, December 4, 2017 at The Asia Society (725 Park Avenue).
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