Evening Primrose
- This article is about the television musical. For the plant called evening primrose, see Oenothera.
| Evening Primrose | |
| Music | Stephen Sondheim |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | Stephen Sondheim |
| Book | James Goldman |
| Based upon | John Collier's short story |
| Productions | 1966 US television series ABC Stage 67 |
Evening Primrose is a musical with a book by James Goldman and lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim.
Based on a John Collier short story published in the 1951 collection Fancies and Goodnights, it focuses on a poet who takes refuge from the world by hiding out in a department store after closing. Once there he finds a community of night people who live in the store, most notably a beautiful young girl named Ella. Unfortunately for the two young lovers, their relationship is forbidden by the leader of the group, and escape appears to be their only option. The ending provides a Twilight Zone-like twist.
Written specifically for the television anthology series ABC Stage 67, it aired on November 16, 1966. Directed by Paul Bogart, it starred Anthony Perkins (Charles), Charmian Carr (Ella), and Dorothy Stickney. The program was taped after regular business hours at the now-defunct Stern Brothers department store in Manhattan.
An official soundtrack recording never was released commercially, but Sondheim did order a privately-pressed recording which he gave to friends and cast members.
An original television soundtrack recording of Evening Primrose was released commercially by Kritzerland, Inc. in 2008. The recording was issued in a limited release of 3,000 copies.article
Other productions and recordings
The four vocal selections were recorded by Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters for his 1990 Dress Casual album. ("If You Can Find Me, I'm Here" - Mandy Patinkin; "I Remember" - Bernadette Peters; "When" - Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters; "Take Me to the World" - Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin.) In 1997, Liz Callaway and Gary Beach recorded them for a Varèse Sarabande release entitled Sondheim at the Movies. A studio recording with Neil Patrick Harris as Charles and Theresa McCarthy as Ella was released by Nonesuch Records in 2001.
"I Remember" has been recorded by Sarah Brightman, Judy Collins, John Pizzarelli, Cleo Laine, Maureen McGovern, Betty Buckley, Julia Migenes, Dianne Reeves and Barbra Streisand. On Dawn Upshaw's 1994 musical theatre album I Wish it So, the singer recorded "Take Me to the World".
The first professional theatrical staging was performed in London as part of the Lost Musicals series, opening at the Lilian Baylis Studio on July 3, 2005 and closing on July 24, 2005. Directed by Ian Marshall Fisher, it starred Betsy Blair (Mrs Monday), Michael Matus (Charles Snell), Jennifer Higham (Ella Harkins), James Vaughn (Store Doorman/Night Watchman), Gary Raymond (Roscoe), Sylvia Seymour, and Andrew Beavis
The original telecast of Evening Primrose is available for viewing at the Museum of Television & Radio branches in New York City and Beverly Hills.
Musical score
- If You Can Find Me I'm Here
- Charles Meets Mrs. Monday (instrumental)
- Charles And Ella (instrumental)
- Check List (instrumental)
- The Basement (instrumental)
- I Remember
- When
- Take Me To The World
- The Ball (instrumental)
- Roscoe And The Guard (instrumental)
- The Ball, Part 2 (instrumental)
- Escape (instrumental)
- Take Me To The World (Reprise)
- Final Credits (instrumental)
External links
- Sondheim Guide listing
- Evening Primrose at the Internet Movie Database
- information on the 2005 London production
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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Evening Primrose". Image Credit.