The Goodbye Girl (musical)

Infobox Musical
name=The Goodbye Girl


caption=Original cast recording
music=Marvin Hamlisch
lyrics=David Zippel
book=Neil Simon
basis=Neil Simon's 1977 film
"The Goodbye Girl"
productions= 1993 Broadway
1997 West End
awards=

"The Goodbye Girl" is a musical with a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by David Zippel, and music by Marvin Hamlisch, based on Simon's original screenplay for the 1977 film of the same name.

Production history

The production, directed by Michael Kidd and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, opened on Broadway on March 4 1993 at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 188 performances and 23 previews. The opening night cast included Bernadette Peters as Paula McFadden and Martin Short as Elliot Garfield, with Tammy Minoff as Lucy. This musical marked Martin Short's Broadway debut. The original director, Gene Saks, was fired during the Chicago out-of-town try outs. ["New York Times", On Stage, and Off, Bruce Weber, Section C p2, January 15, 1993]

In the spring of 1994, Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre, located about an hour from Chicago, hosted a production of the show featuring some modifications by lyricist David Zippel, who also co-directed the production. This version represents the version preferred by the authors and currently licensed by the licensing agent, MTI.

After several previews, a revised version (with new lyrics by Don Black) opened on April 17 1997 at the Albery Theatre in the West End, and closed on June 28, 1997. It starred Gary Wilmot and Ann Crumb. Wilmot subsequently toured the UK with the show opposite Marti Webb. The new lyrics in this production were not well-received. [ [http://www.talkinbroadway.com/sound/mar9.html Review of London cast album] ]

Plot synopsis

The plot focuses on egotistical actor Elliot, who sublets a friend's Manhattan apartment only to discover it's still occupied by his friend's ex-girlfriend Paula, a former dancer, and her precocious pre-teen daughter Lucy. Initially suspicious and antagonistic, they arrive at an uneasy truce. Paula, fed up with being hurt by boyfriend-actors, rashly vows never to become involved again ("No More"), while Elliot sets down the rules for the living arrangements ("My Rules"). Paula decides to return to work as a dancer, but during dance class finds it difficult ("A Beat Behind").

While attempting to co-habitate as peacefully as possible, despite their differences of opinion and temperament, Elliot and Paula find themselves attracted to each other ("Paula (An Improvised Love Song)"). Although Elliot finds a job out-of-town, Paula realizes that this is the true love she has been seeking, and they reach a happy ending ("What a Guy").

Recordings

Original cast recordings for both the Broadway and West End productions have been released.

ongs

;Act I
* This Is as Good as It Gets -- Paula and Lucy
* No More -- Paula
* A Beat Behind -- Paula, Billy and Ensemble
* This Is as Good as It Gets (Reprise)-- Lucy, Melanie and Cynthia
* My Rules -- Elliot and Paula
* Good News, Bad News -- Elliot, Paula and Lucy
* Footsteps -- Paula and Lucy
* How Can I Win? -- Paula
* Richard Interred -- Elliot, Paula, Lucy, Mark, Mrs. Crosby, Donna and Ensemble;Act II
* How Can I Win? (Reprise) -- Paula
* Good News, Bad News (Reprise)-- Elliot
* Too Good to Be Bad -- Paula, Donna and Jenna
* 2 Good 2 Be Bad -- Mrs. Crosby
* Who Would've Thought? -- Paula, Elliot, Lucy, Melanie and Cynthia
* Paula (An Improvised Love Song) -- Elliot and Paula
* Who Would've Thought? (Reprise) -- Lucy, Melanie and Cynthia
* I Think I Can Play This Part -- Elliot
* Jump for Joy -- Paula and Ensemble
* What a Guy-- Paula
* Finale -- Paula, Elliot and Lucy

Awards and nominations

*Tony Award for Best Musical (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Choreography (nominee)
*Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominee)
*Theatre World Award (Short, winner)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (nominee)
*Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Musical (nominee)
*Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Short, winner)
*Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (nominee)

References

* [http://www.albemarle-london.com/Archive/ArchiveShow.php?Show_Name=Goodbye%20Girl London listing]

External links

* [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=4706 Internet Broadway Database listing]
* [http://www.mtishows.com/show_home.asp?ID=000153 MTI Shows detailed plot and production information]
* [http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9F0CE1DE1139F936A35750C0A965958260 NY Times 1993 review by Frank Rich]
* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977946-1,00.html Time Magazine 1993 review]