Musicals on Stage During the 1970’s
...ical score of this production was pure Broadway with contemporary edge. The edge accumulated from lyrics that were literate, cleverly rhymed and always significantly suitable. Michael Bennett’s choreography embodied everything from a surprise party to the passion of coitus, and Prince’s direction kept this bountiful mix in sharp focus. Performer Elaine Stritch also stared in Elaine Stritch at Liberty opening February 21, 2002. That show ran for 3 months. Opening on October 12, 1971 at Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City, running 711 performances, concluding the show on June 30th, 1973, Robert Stigwood’s Jesus Christ Superstar was Broadway’s first full-fledged rock opera; composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice being the librettist. The foundation was to portray Jesus as something like an up to date rock star examining the position popular fame played in his fate. Bethany, Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate's palace, the garden of Gethsemane, House of Herod, Golgotha was all settings for this performance. Samuel E. Wright played an apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar. Even though he did not have big roles, he was also a replacement for Pippin and Two Gentlemen of Verona. A hokey story about white trash high school kids finding friendship and romance had 3388 performances that started at February 14th 1972. In and around Rydell High School, Kenneth Waisman and Maxine’s production Grease won American’s heart with a 1950’s rock n' roll pastiche score. Thanks to a low operating budget, Grease set a new record as Broadway's longest running musical until A Chorus Line. Grease was before a live audience at four different theaters in New York including the Eden Theatre, Broadhurst Theatre, Royale Theatre and Majestic Theatre. Carole Demas played the roll as Sandy Dumbrowski and Marya Small was Frenchy. Patricia Birch’s was in charge of all the musical numbers and dances. Grease was the most commercially successful 1970’s musical with a rock score. The film version of the musical which we are all familiar with became the highest-grossing musical in Hollywood history. A Chorus Line began as a workshop "share" session. Michael Bennett wanted a show that spotlighted "gypsies" (a theatrical expression for chorus dancers)....