Joe Wellington is determined to break out of Harlem and make it as a boxer. Despite the disapproval of his family, he hooks up with a manager and after a string of losses, things start to go his way... but as he starts to win in the ring, life outside starts to spiral out of control.
With Eddie Satin, the best manager there is, showing an interest in Joe, the woman of his dreams slipping out of reach and his toughest opponent yet lined up in the ring, the stage is set for the fight of his life.
Following the Detroit tryout, Odets died and Gibson was hired to rework the script. The ideals of the noble plot were abandoned in a revision in which Joe evolved into an angry man who, embittered by the constant prejudice he faces, uses his fists to fight his frustrations. His brother became a worker for CORE, and the subtle romance between Joe and the white Lorna developed into an explicit affair capped by a kiss that shocked audiences already having difficulty adjusting to a heavily urban jazz score and mentions of Malcolm X. This was a far cry from the comedies Hello, Dolly! and Funny Girl, both popular holdovers from the previous theatrical season.
After twenty-five previews, the Broadway production, directed by Arthur Penn and choreographed by Donald McKayle, opened on October 20, 1964 at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 568 performances. In addition to Davis, the cast included Billy Daniels as Eddie Satin, Kenneth Tobey as Tom Moody, Jaimie Rogers as Lopez and Paula Wayne as Lorna Moon, with Johnny Brown, Lola Falana, Louis Gossett,Al Kirk, Baayork Lee, and Theresa Merritt in supporting roles.
An original cast recording was released by Capitol Records. One song from the score, "This Is the Life", later became a hit in a cover version recorded by Matt Monro.
Davis reprised his role for the 1968 West End production at the London Palladium, the first book musical ever to play in the theatre.
Necco (New England Confectionary Company) created a short-lived candy bar inspired by Davis and the musical. It was called "Golden Boy".
Act I
Workout
Night Song
Everything's Great
Gimme Some
Stick Around
Don't Forget 127th Street
Lorna's Here
The Road Tour
This is the Life
Act II
Golden Boy
While the City Sleeps
Colorful
I Want to Be with You
Can't You See It?
No More
The Fight
Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant Golden Boy
Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant Golden Boy
Version 1
Golden Boy (1964-10-Majestic Theatre-Broadway)
Type de série: OriginalThéâtre: Majestic Theatre (Broadway - Etats-Unis) Durée : 1 an 4 mois 2 semaines Nombre : 25 previews - 568 représentationsPremière Preview : 23 September 1964
Première: 20 October 1964
Dernière: 05 March 1966Mise en scène : Arthur Penn • Chorégraphie : Donald McKayle • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Kenneth Tobey (Tom Moody), Sammy Davis Jr (Joe Wellington), Paula Wayne (Lorna Moon), Billy Daniels (i) (Eddie Satin), Ted Beniades (Roxy Gottlieb), Charles Welch (i) (Tokio), Roy Glenn (Mr. Wellington), Jeanette Dubois (Anna), Johnny Brown (Ronnie), Louis Gossett (Frank)Commentaires longs: Tryout dates:
• Shubert Theatre [Philadelphia, PA] 25/6/1964 - 25/7/1964
• Shubert Theatre [Boston, MA] 29/7/1964 - 22/8/1964
• Fisher Theatre [Detroit, MI] 25/8/1964 - 19/9/1964
- See more at: http://www.ovrtur.com/production/2880562#sthash.jOzIaRM7.dpuf
Version 2
Golden Boy (1968-06-Palladium Theatre-London)
Type de série: Original LondonThéâtre: Palladium Theatre (Londres - Angleterre) Durée : Nombre : 118 représentationsPremière Preview : 04 June 1968
Première: 04 June 1968
Dernière: InconnuMise en scène : Arthur Penn • Chorégraphie : Donald McKayle • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Sammy Davis, Jr. (Joe Wellington), Gloria De Haven (Lorna Moon), Lola Falana (Lola), Louis Basile, John Bassette, Tony Catanzaro, Mark Dawson, Altovise Gore, Hilda Haynes, Al KirkCommentaires : 'Golden Boy' was the first proper full musical to ever play the London Palladium.
It only played a short season with Sammy Davis Jnr repeating his New York performance.
The show had many problems prior to opening, the main one being Mr Davis wanted his own musicians in the pit and the British MU fought it but gave in when Mr Davis made his way to the airport and back to the states!
It opened on June 4th 1968,attracted small audiences and closed after just 11 weeks, 118 performances, and the Palladium went back to presenting what it was famous for, big name variety stars!
Version 3
Golden Boy (2003-06-Greenwich Theatre-London)
Type de série: RevivalThéâtre: Greenwich Theatre (Londres - Angleterre) Durée : 2 semaines Nombre : Première Preview : 19 June 2003
Première: 23 June 2003
Dernière: 12 July 2003Mise en scène : Rik Jacobs • Chorégraphie : Mykal Rand • Producteur : Star(s) : Avec: Jason Pennycooke (Joe Wellington), Sally Ann Triplett (Lorna Moon), Ray Shell (Eddie Satin), Nicolas Colicos (Tom Moody), Omar F. Okai (Ronnie Bouvier), Alana Maria (Anna Bouvier), Jade Walker, Jaye Jacobs, Neil Johnson, Jason RoweCommentaires : Charles Strouse created two new songs for this revival and Rick Jacobs had revised the book to emphasise the limited success open to black Americans in the early 1960s. In the rewrite he replaced Joe’s father with Anna, a no-nonsense sister acting as Joe’s conscience. Although generally well received, it was felt this was a “dated” show with nostalgic or historical interest rather than any contemporary relevance.
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