John Raitt "PAJAMA GAME" Shirley MacLaine 1954 New Haven World Premiere Program

Description

I'm currently listing a large number of playbills from out-of-town tryouts prior to the Broadway runs. Many are from early performances when revisions were common and include song titles that were cut before opening in New York. (See cut songs below.) ........ This is a rare April 12th, 1954 program (playbill) from the Pre-Broadway tryout and WORLD PREMIERE engagement of the RICHARD ADLER and JERRY ROSS musical comedy hit "THE PAJAMA GAME" at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. (The production would open May 13th, 1954 at the St. James Theatre in New York City and run for 1061 performances.) ..... The musical starred JOHN RAITT, JANIS PAIGE and EDDIE FOY, JR. and featured CAROL HANEY, RETA SHAW, RALPH DUNN, STANLEY PRAGER, JACK WALDRON, MARION COLBY and THELMA PELISH ..... Side Note: Listed among the Dancers is a young SHIRLEY MacLAINE who rose to stardom as an understudy in "The Pajama Game". Shortly after the Broadway opening, Hollywood producer Hal Wallis attended "THE PAJAMA GAME" expressly to see Carol Haney's performance, however torn ligaments kept Miss Haney on the sidelines for the dance numbers. Wallis was so impressed with her understudy, SHIRLEY MacLAINE, that he offered her a contract immediately after the show. It was not long before MacLaine was starring in her first motion picture. "The Pajama Game" was the winner of six 1955 Tony Awards including "Best Musical" ..... CREDITS: Book by GEORGE ABBOTT and RICHARD BISSELL based on the novel, "7 1/2 Cents" by RICHARD BISSELL; Music and Lyrics by RICHARD ADLER and JERRY ROSS ("Damn Yankees"); Sets and Costumes designed by LEMUEL AYERS; Choreographed by BOB FOSSE; Directed by GEORGE ABBOTT and JEROME ROBBINS; Produced by FREDERICK BRISSON, ROBERT E. GRIFFITH and HAROLD S. PRINCE ..... DETAILS: The four page playbill measures 6" X 9" inches, is printed on a brown newsprint stock and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers, but no cast photos or bios ..... CUT SONGS: The list of musical numbers includes "I Never Dreamed" and "Liebchin" which were cut out-of-town ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a vertical fold, this rare playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.