Peter Filichia wrote some nice words about WHAT ABOUT LUV?, a show Susan Birkenhead, Howard Marren and I fashioned out of Murray Schisgals comedy. Its had an odd life. It had a brief run off-Broadway with Nathan Lane, Judy Kaye and Steve Vinovich. Judy loved the show, though, and she and her husband, David Green, put together a production in Michigan with Lee Wilkof. Then Judy and David got the York Theatre interested, and there was a revival there with Austin Pendleton directed by Pat Birch. That led to its longest run -- a couple of years in Tokyo! (I didnt get to see it, but was happy for the checks.) I ran into a friend some years ago who introduced me to her Japanese friend who shocked me by saying, Jeff Sweet? WHAT ABOUT LUV! So I guess it made a splash. Then there was a very good production at the Orange Tree in Richmond near London. That led to a transfer to the Lyric Hammersmith. That led to an album combining Judy and David with one of the actors from the British production. (I got to realize a dream by writing the liner notes for the album! I always wanted to write liner notes.) It also ran in Mannheim, Germany in rep with something by Wagner. Wagners ghost must have loved running in rep with a Jewish musical comedy. And then there was a TV special done in Hungary. Wish I could get my hands on a copy of that tape. In the meantime, since its a show with three characters, a simple set, lotsa laughs and a really charming score, theatres around the country looking for a musical that doesnt cost an arm and a leg (I think our show costs the equivalent of a pinky finger) keep putting it up. Anyway, thanks to Peter for reminding me of the show ... mtiblog.mtishows/
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:25:28 +0000
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