Salvation(musical)

Salvationis a 1969Off-Broadwayrock musicalwith music, lyrics, and book byPeter Link& C.C. Courtney. The production opened on September 24, 1969, at theJan Hus Playhouseand ended on April 19, 1970, after 239 performances.

Salvation
The cover of the original-cast album forSalvation.
Music	Peter Link& C.C. Courtney
Lyrics	Peter Link& C.C. Courtney
Book	Peter Link& C.C. Courtney
Productions	1969Off-Broadway

Production

The idea came from Courtney and his frustration with organized religion. Both Link and he wrote the show, and appeared in it as well. Courtney said of the show, "I was walking throughCentral Park,and the whole show just sort of came to me on that 20-minute walk. I usually did the concept and the book and the lyrics, and Peter did the music. So I hit him with the idea and he was hot to do that. In fact, he probably was more anxious to do it than I was...He's very productive. So I said let's do it, and I started working on the lyrics and giving them to him as fast as I could. So it became, in effect, well, the plot is pretty much my life story. "Both were actors looking for the next thing. Courtney was appearing on theNBCdaytime dramaThe Doctors.At the same time, Link was on theCBSdaytime dramaAs the World Turnsas the pot-smoking, troubled Tom Hughes. Afterwards, Link would joinHairand replaceGerome Ragnias Berger.

The show was written in two weeks, and it first premiered in a showcase production atThe Village Gate,financed by Courtney and Link. It opened on March 11, 1969, and was given a positive review byNew York TimescolumnistLawrence Van Gelder.It was picked up by producer David Black, who had producedGeorge M!,and got them booked at theMitzi E. Newhouse Theaterby theLincoln Center for the Performing Arts,but unfortunately, the booking was canceled, supposedly by the director, Robert Montgomery. Courtney said of the incident, "I heard lots or rumors about what happened, mainly that Robert Montgomery didn't like this kind of filthy, disgusting stuff--that's why we didn't get to open at Lincoln Center."

Black got the musical moved to the Jan Hus Playhouse for its off-Broadway run, starting on September 24, 1969, and ending on April 19, 1970, after 239 performances. It earned a profit of $55,000. Black convinced Link and Courtney to close the New York production for the summer, bring it toLos Angeles,and try to reopen it in the fall in a Broadway theatre. Due to bad casting,Salvationnever get a chance on Broadway. Two efforts to help the show came too late. The first was the cast album byCapitol Records,produced byNick Venet,which had begun to do well. The second was singerRonnie Dyson(Hair), who recorded a single of "(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?",which sold over a million copies and peaked at #8 in 1970.

Synopsis

The story follows a young man who is a hardshell-Baptist. He searches, trying to figure out how relevant religion is to men and women and to society as a whole. He becomes enthralled by thepageantryand the ritual ofRoman Catholicism.But he is unenthusiastic about hearing others confess their sins and reveal themselves to him. He begins to search for something else, becoming aTimothy Leary-like guru.

Musical Numbers

• "Overture"
• "Salvation"
• "In Between"
• "1001"
• "Honest Confession Is Good For The Soul"
• "Ballin'"
• "Let The Moment Slip By"
• "Gina"
• "(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?"
• "There Ain't No Flies On Jesus"
• "Deadalus"
• "For Ever"
• "Footloose Youth And Fancy Free"
• "Schwartz"
• "Let's Get Lost In Now"
• "Back To Genesis"
• "Tomorrow Is The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life"

Cast and Crew

The show was directed by Paul Aaron, musically directed by Kirk Nurock, and dance movement by Kathryn Posin. The musicians, known as "Nobody Else", consisted of Eric Cohen (Drums), Dickie Franks (Electric Guitar),Charles Sullivan(Trumpet),John Buck Wilkin(Acoustic Guitar), Ronald Finck (Saxophone), Wayne Kirby (Bass), and Kirk Nurock (Piano).

The original cast consisted of the show's creators, Peter Link (Farley) and C.C. Courtney (Monday), as well asYolande Bavan(Ranee),Joe Morton(Mark), Boni Enten (Boo), Annie Rachel (Dierdre),Marta Heflin(Betty Lou), and Chapman Roberts (Leroy). Notable actors to join the cast wereBarry Bostwick(who replaced Courtney), andBette Midler.

Awards

• Drama Desk Most Promising Award
• Varietyballoting for Best Composer and Best Lyricist

References

• Liner Notes from the Album, David Foil
• [Salvation] at the Music Theatre International website