Description
I'm currently listing a large number of playbills representing some of the most memorable Broadway performances of the 1950's and 1960's ......... This is a beautiful May 13th, 1957 playbill from the Original Broadway production of the JOHNNY MERCER and GENE de PAUL musical comedy hit "LI'L ABNER" which played the St. James Theatre in New York City. (The production opened November 15th, 1956 and ran for 693 performances.) ..... The musical starred EDITH ADAMS, PETER PALMER, CHARLOTTE RAE, STUBBY KAYE and HOWARD ST. JOHN and featured TINA LOUISE, JOE E. MARKS, BERN HOFFMAN, AL NESOR, TED THURSTON, JULIE NEWMAR, WILLIAM LANTEAU, STANLEY SIMMONDS, ROBERT McCLURE, GROVER DALE and CARMEN ALVAREZ ..... CREDITS: Book by NORMAN PANAMA and MELVIN FRANK based on the characters of AL CAPP; Music by GENE de PAUL; Lyrics by JOHNNY MERCER ("St. Louis Woman", "Top Banana", "Texas L'il Darlin'", "Saratoga", "Li'l Abner"); Sets designed by WILLIAM and JEAN ECKART; Costumes designed by ALVIN COLT; Directed and Choreographed by MICHAEL KIDD; Produced by NORMAN PANAMA, MELVIN FRANK and MICHAEL KIDD ..... DETAILS: The 54 page playbill measures 6 1/2" X 9" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and individual bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team, but no cast photos. Also includes a full page ad for the Original Broadway Cast recording of "LI'L ABNER" on Columbia Records (third scanned image) ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this 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.