''A Joyful Noise'' is a

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...

with a book by

Edward Padula Edward Padula (January 24, 1916 – November 1, 2001) was an American theatre producer, stage manager, and occasional director and writer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Padula began his theatrical career by directing the book for the early Lerner ...

and music and lyrics by

Oscar Brand Oscar Brand (February 7, 1920 – September 30, 2016) was a Canadian-born American folk singer-songwriter, radio host, and author. In his career, spanning 70 years, he composed at least 300 songs and released nearly 100 albums, among them Can ...

and Paul Nassau. The 1966

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

production was a flop but introduced choreographer Michael Bennett in his Broadway debut. Based on Mississippi author

Borden Deal Borden Deal ( – ) was an American novelist and short story writer. Biography Born Loysé Youth Deal in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Deal attended Macedonia Consolidated High School, after which he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and fought f ...

's 1959 novel '' The Insolent Breed'', the story centers on Shade Motley, a fiddler who arrives in a small Southern

town A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world. Origin and use The word "town" shares an ori ...

and shocks the stern community with his exuberant love of

hillbilly Hillbilly is a term (often derogatory) for people who dwell in rural, mountainous areas in the United States, primarily in southern Appalachia and the Ozarks. The term was later used to refer to people from other rural and mountainous areas west ...

music and life in general.

Background and production

The musical underwent significant changes, both in performers and creators, during the tryout period. The book, originally written by Edward Padula, was rewritten by

Dore Schary Isadore "Dore" Schary (August 31, 1905 – July 7, 1980) was an American playwright, director, and producer for the stage and a prolific screenwriter and producer of motion pictures. He directed just one feature film, '' Act One'', the film bio ...

, who took over as director. However, he quit, and PadulaGlover, William
"A Joyful Noise's Lusty Song, Laughter Opens"
''The Montreal Gazette', December 19, 1966 and Michael Bennett became co-directors. Country music star

Skeeter Davis Skeeter Davis (born Mary Frances Penick; December 30, 1931September 19, 2004) was an American country music singer and songwriter who sang crossover pop music songs including 1962's " The End of the World". She started out as part of the Davis S ...

was originally offered the ingenue lead, but with no prior acting experience was reluctant to begin a Broadway career in such a pivotal role and declined. The part was eventually played by

Donna McKechnie Donna McKechnie (born November 16, 1942) is an American musical theater dancer, singer, actress, and choreographer. She is known for her professional and personal relationship with choreographer Michael Bennett, with whom she collaborated on ...

, later replaced by Susan Watson. Mitzi Welch and

James Rado James Alexander Radomski (January 23, 1932 – June 21, 2022), known professionally as James Rado, was an American actor, playwright, director, and composer, best known as the co-author, along with Gerome Ragni, of the 1967 musical ''Hair''. He ...

were replaced by

Karen Morrow Karen Morrow (born December 15, 1936) is an American singer and actress best known for her work in musical theater. Her honors include an Emmy Award and a Theatre World Award, and an Ovation Award and five Drama-Logue Award nominations. Early ...

and Clifford David. It had "laughably stilted dialogue" and "an unconvincing plot."

John Raitt John Emmet Raitt (; January 29, 1917 – February 20, 2005) was an American actor and singer best known for his performances in musical theatre. Early years Raitt was born in Santa Ana, California, United States. He got his start in theatre as ...

, who was to play Shade Motley, was aware of the show's problems, and, in an interview, he said that they "could never get by the New York critics." The musical opened on Broadway at the

Mark Hellinger Theatre The Mark Hellinger Theatre (formerly the 51st Street Theatre and the Hollywood Theatre) is a church building at 237 West 51st Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, which formerly served as a cinema and a Broadway thea ...

on December 15, 1966 and closed on December 24, 1966 after 12 performances and four previews. Directed by Padula and choreographed by Michael Bennett, the cast featured John Raitt as Shade Motley, Karen Morrow, Susan Watson,

Leland Palmer Leland Palmer is a fictional character from the television series ''Twin Peaks'', created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. He also appears in the prequel, '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me''. He is portrayed in all his appearances by Ray Wise. Le ...

Tommy Tune Thomas James Tune (born February 28, 1939) is an American actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won ten Tony Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and a star on the Hollywood Wal ...

and

Baayork Lee Baayork Lee (born December 5, 1946) is an American actress, singer, dancer, choreographer, theatre director, and author. Early life and career Lee was born in New York City's Chinatown, to an Indian mother and Chinese father. She started dancing ...

." 'A Joyful Noise' Listing"
playbillvault.com, accessed June 21, 2013

Plot

A wandering minstrel, Shade Motley, arrives in a small Tennessee town with his fiddle under his arm. The young women of the town find the stranger attractive. One young woman in particular, Jenny Lee, falls immediately in love with him, although she is engaged to Brother Locke, the local minister. Shade gives Jenny a locket, but her father Walter Wishenant, tells him to leave town. Just then Bliss Stanley arrives, with an offer to make Shade rich through his singing. Jenny Lee ends up marrying Brother Locke, and Shade goes off to make his fortune. He returns for a visit with Mary Texas, an extroverted blonde.

Song list

;Act I * "Longtime Travelin'"—Shade Motley * "A Joyful Noise"—Shade Motley and Townspeople * "I'm Ready"—Jenny Lee, Miss Jimmie and The Girls * "Spring Time of the Year"—Shade Motley * "I Like to Look My Best"—Shade Motley, Sam Fredrickson and Saw Mill Boys * "No Talent"—Bliss Stanley * "Not Me"—Jenny Lee and Miss Jimmie * "Until Today"—Shade Motley and Jenny Lee * "Swinging a Dance"—Shade Motley and Company * "To the Top"—Bliss Stanley and Shade Motley ;Act II * "I Love Nashville"—Mary Texas and Her Boys * "Whither Thou Goest"—Brother Locke * "We Won't Forget to Write"—Miss Jimmie, Sam Fredrickson and Saw Mill Boys * "Ballad Maker"—Shade Motley, Mary Texas, The Motley Crew and Ensemble * "Barefoot Gal"—Mary Texas * "Clog Dance"—Dancing Ensemble * "Fool's Gold"—Shade Motley, Mary Texas, The Motley Crew and Ensemble * "The Big Guitar"—Bliss Stanley * "Love Was"—Jenny Lee * "I Say Yes"—Shade Motley, The Motley Crew and Ensemble * "Lord, You Sure Know How to Make a New Day"—Shade Motley * "A Joyful Noise (Reprise)"—Shade Motley and Townspeople

Characters

* Shade Motley (

) as the wandering minstrel * Jenny Lee ( Susan Watson) as the local, young woman who becomes enamored with Shade * Bliss Stanley (

Swen Swenson Swen Swenson (January 23, 1930 - June 23, 1993) was a Broadway dancer and singer. Born in Inwood, Iowa, Swenson was trained by dancer Mira Rostova and at the School of American Ballet. Openly gay, he had featured and co-starring roles on Broadway ...

) as an entrepreneur * Brother Locke (

Clifford David Clifford David (June 30, 1928 – November 30, 2017) was an American actor, singer, and coach. His career began in the 1950s, with early live television appearances leading to roles in Broadway musicals. He also played character roles in tele ...

) as a minister and Jenny Lee's fiancé * Miss Jimmie (

) * Mary Texas (

) as Shade's flashy girlfriend * Tommy (

) as one of the Saw Mill Boys and The Motley Crew

Awards and nominations

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...

nominations went to Watson and Palmer as Best Featured Actress in a Musical and to Bennett for his choreography.

References

*''New York Times'', The Theater: "A Joyful Noise Arrives", Walter Kerr, p. 57, December 16, 1966

External links

Internet Broadway Database listing
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joyful Noise, A 1966 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals based on novels