Baker Streetis a 1965musicalwith a book by Jerome Coopersmith and music and lyrics byMarian GrudeffandRaymond Jessel,based on the tales ofSherlock Holmes.[1]
| Baker Street | |
|---|---|
| A Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes | |
 Original Cast Recording [CD reissue] | |
| Music | Marian Grudeff,Raymond JesselandJerry Bock |
| Lyrics | Marian Grudeff, Raymond Jessel andSheldon Harnick |
| Book | Jerome Coopersmith |
| Basis | TheSherlock Holmesstories ofSir Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Productions | 1965Broadway |
Background
editLoosely based on the 1891Sherlock Holmesstory "A Scandal in Bohemia"byArthur Conan Doylewith elements of "The Final Problem"and"The Empty House"as well, it is set in and aroundLondonin 1897, the year in whichEnglandcelebrated theDiamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria(an event marked by an elaborate royal procession depicted byBil Baird's marionettes). The musical veers from Conan Doyle's work in thatIrene Adlerbecomes an associate of Holmes rather than his opponent, thus allowing an element of romance between the two.[2]
Because of problems the show went through during out of town tryouts,Sheldon HarnickandJerry Bock,the successful composing team ofFiddler on the Roofwere brought in to contribute additional songs including "Cold Clear World" and "I Shall Miss You." They also wrote "I'm In London Again" which was the first number for Irene Adler, but after opening night, this number (which can be heard on the cast album) was dropped and replaced by another Bock-Harnick composition, "Buffalo Belle" which had Irene Adler performing an elaborate Wild West number. Stereo Review Magazine's review described the score as being "Warmed-over Gilbert & Sullivan with a gelid sauce of Lerner & Loewe."
Original cast and characters
edit| Character | Broadway (1965)[3] |
|---|---|
| Sherlock Holmes | Fritz Weaver |
| Irene Adler | Inga Swenson |
| Professor Moriarty | Martin Gabel |
| Dr. Watson | Peter Sallis |
| Inspector Gregson | Patrick Horgan |
| Wiggins | Teddy Green |
| Mrs. Hudson | Paddi Edwards |
| Baxter | Martin Wolfson |
| Inspector Lestrade | Daniel Keyes |
| Daisy | Virginia Vestoff |
| Murillo | Jay Norman |
Musical numbers
edit
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|
Richard Burtonrecorded "A Married Man" as a single in 1965.[4]
Productions
editThe musical opened onBroadwayat theBroadway Theatreon February 16, 1965[5][6]running to October 30, and then transferred to theMartin Beck Theatre(now theAl Hirschfeld Theatre) on November 3, 1965, where it closed on November 14, 1965 after a total of 311 performances[7]and six previews.[8]Directed byHal Prince,the cast includedFritz Weaver,Peter Sallis,Martin Gabel,Inga Swenson,Virginia Vestoff,Teddy Green,and, in supporting roles,Christopher WalkenandTommy Tune,both in their Broadway debuts.[6]
ProducerAlexander H. Cohenfelt the show was such an event that he announced, prior to the opening, men would not be admitted unless they were clad in jackets and ties, and women would be allowed in only if they wore dresses. This policy quickly changed once the mixed reviews were in.[6]
Awards and nominations
editOriginal Broadway production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Author | Jerome Coopersmith | Nominated |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Inga Swenson | Nominated | ||
| Best Scenic Design | Oliver Smith | Won[9] | ||
| Best Costume Design | Motley | Nominated |
References
edit- ^Eyles, Allen (1986).Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration.Harper & Row.p.107.ISBN0-06-015620-1.
- ^Boström, Mattias (2018).From Holmes to Sherlock.Mysterious Press.p. 327.ISBN978-0-8021-2789-1.
- ^Playbill 1965 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/09/2023
- ^Burton, Richard (2012).The Richard Burton Diaries.Yale University Press.p. 79.ISBN9780300180107.
- ^"Baker Street".Tams-Witmark Music Library.RetrievedJanuary 3,2019.
- ^abcSkethway, Nathan (February 19, 2019)."Look Back at Baker Street on Broadway".Playbill.RetrievedDecember 8,2022.
- ^Boström, Mattias (2018).From Holmes to Sherlock.Mysterious Press.p. 333.ISBN978-0-8021-2789-1.
- ^"Baker Street".Playbill.Archived fromthe originalon October 4, 2017.RetrievedDecember 8,2022.
- ^"Baker Street: The First Sherlockian Musical".Baker Street Babes.May 10, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 3,2019.
External links
edit- Baker Streetat theInternet Broadway Database
- Tams-Witmark listing for production and licensing information
- Ballroom costume sketchbyMotley Theatre Design Group--Motley Collection of Theatre & Costume Design
- A Musical Stroll Down Baker Street- episode ofI Hear of Sherlock Everywherefeaturing an interview withFritz Weaver