''Illya Darling'' 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
Jules Dassin, music by
Manos Hadjidakis, and lyrics by
Joe Darion, based on Dassin's 1960 film ''
Never on Sunday''.
Production
The show previewed in a tour of Philadelphia, Toronto and Detroit for nine weeks. After 22 previews, the
Broadway production opened on April 11, 1967 at the
Mark Hellinger Theatre and closed on January 13, 1968, after 320 performances and 22 previews. It was directed by Dassin,
choreographed
Choreography is the art or practice of designing sequences of movements of physical bodies (or their depictions) in which motion or form or both are specified. ''Choreography'' may also refer to the design itself. A choreographer is one who cr ...
by
Onna White, with scenic design by
Oliver Smith, costume design by
Theoni V. Aldredge, and lighting design by
Jean Rosenthal. Orchestra was conducted by
Karen Gustafson
Karen may refer to:
* Karen (name), a given name and surname
* Karen (slang), a term and meme for a demanding woman displaying certain behaviors
People
* Karen people, an ethnic group in Myanmar and Thailand
** Karen languages or Karenic l ...
.
Attendance was fueled by the star wattage provided by
Melina Mercouri
Maria Amalia "Melina" Mercouri (, 18 October 1920 – 6 March 1994) was a Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician. She came from a political family that was prominent over multiple generations. She received an Academy Award nomination a ...
, who was nominated for a
Tony Award, in the title role. She had starred in the film, which managed to overcome the mostly lukewarm to negative reviews. Critics found the plot too slight.
[Monji, Jan]
"Curtain up review, 2003 Los Angeles production"
curtainup.com, March 15, 2003
Other cast members included
Orson Bean as Homer Thrace,
Nikos Kourkoulos
Nikos Kourkoulos ( el, Νίκος Κούρκουλος; December 5, 1934 in Athens, Greece – January 30, 2007) was a highly respected Greek theatrical and film performer, one of the most talented and recognizable actors in Greece of modern tim ...
(who was also nominated for a Tony) in his Broadway debut as Tonio, and
Hal Linden as No Face. After closing on Broadway, the show went on tour with
Cyd Charisse as Illya.
The production was nominated for six
Tony Awards, including Best musical, score, direction and choreography, but it did not win any.
The musical was presented by the Greek American Theatre Company of Los Angeles, running March 2003 to May 2003.
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Synopsis
Illya, a carefree prostitute
Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-penet ...
, plies her trade in the port town of Piraeus outside Athens. With no set rates, no pimp, and an inclination to sleep only with men she likes, she differs dramatically from the other local ladies-of-the-evening. Their pimp, Garbage, works for the mysterious No Face, who charges the girls exorbitant rents. Into her life comes Homer Thrace, a priggish American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
in search of the glories of Ancient Greece. Attracted by Illya's physical charms, he decides to teach her about the classics and to help her become a cultured lady, while she in turn introduces him to sensual pleasures. Homer's lesson plan is to separate her from her friends and the virile Tonio. Neither ends up happier.
Song list
;Act I
*Po, Po, Po – Homer Thrace and Tonio
*Dance – Ensemble
*Zebekiko – Yorgo
*Piraeus, My Love – Illya and Men
*Golden Land – Homer Thrace and Ensemble
*Zebekiko (Reprise) – Yorgo
*Love, Love, Love – Illya
*I Think She Needs Me – Homer Thrace
*I'll Never Lay Down Any More – Despo
*After Love – Tonio
*Birthday Song – Tonio, Captain and Men
*Medea Tango – Illya and Men
*Illya Darling – Illya, Yorgo and Ensemble
;Act 2
*Dear Mr. Schubert – Illya [This song is based on the 5th movement of Schubert's Quartet for Flute, Viola, Guitar and Cello in G Major, D. 96 (Anh. II, 2). Source: DGG CD 431 783–2. Schubert based the work on a Notturno for Flute, Viola and Guitar by Wenzel Matiegka. The 5th movement theme was itself after a song by Friedrich Fleischmann.]
*The Lesson – Illya and Homer Thrace
*Never on Sunday – Illya and Ensemble
*Piraeus, My Love (Reprise) – Illya
*Heaven Help A Sailor – Male Ensemble
*Medea Tango (Reprise) – Tonio
*Dance – Illya, Homer Thrace, Yorgo, Tonio, Captain, Vassily, Waiter and Ensemble
*Ya Chara – Company
Response
Jack Gaver wrote that although there were attractive things about the musical "it is a fact that any commercial success this new musical may have depends largely upon public interest in its Greek star. Tuesday night's arrival at the Mark Hellinger Theatre lacks solid, over-all appeal, so the international reputation of Miss Mercouri as a movie star with a tremendous sex image and a volatile acting style is really on the line...there is exuberance in the several dance numbers, the score has some rousing numbers and there are excellent portrayals in top roles."
According to Steven Suskin, the musical was "the season's biggest star-vehicle with the biggest advance sale: Melina Mercouri in the "Never on Sunday" musical, Illya Darling. Not so darling, as it turned out; the charm of the 1960 low-budget Greek-language film was overblown into a full-scale Broadway affair with a distinct lack of charm or skill."[Suskin, Steve]
"Melina Mercouri as Illya Darling and Steven Pasquale's "Somethin' Like Love" "
playbill.com, April 12, 2009
Awards and nominations
Original Broadway production
References
External links
* {{ibdb show, id=4651
1967 musicals
Broadway musicals
Musicals based on films
Plays set in Greece
Compositions by Manos Hatzidakis