Tovarich is a 1963 stage musical in two acts with book by David Shaw; music by Lee Pockriss and lyrics by Anne Croswell; based on the comedy by Jacques Deval and Robert E. Sherwood.
Production history The musical opened in New York at The Broadway Theatre on 18 March 1963 then transferred to Majestic Theatre and the Winter Garden Theatre. It ran for a total of 264 performances. Billboard reported that the production "having the distinction of being the first musical to open on Broadway without an original cast waxing contract, finally landed a deal when Capitol agreed to record the show last week [late May 1963]."Rolontz, Bob. "B’dway Musical Season Not All That Bad." Billboard 75:22 (1 June 1963), 1.
The production was directed by Peter Glenville and choreographed by Herbert Ross. The original cast included Vivien Leigh, Jean Pierre Aumont, George S. Irving, Louise Kirtland, Alexander Scourby and Louise Troy.
Vivien Leigh won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Leigh left the production on short notice because of illness; understudy Joan Copeland took over the role October 7, 1963 and she was replaced by Eva Gabor on October 21, 1963.
Original cast and characters CharacterBroadway (1963)Playbill 1963 Bio Cast List accessed 07/22/2023Tatiana PetrovnaVivien LeighMikail Alexandrovich OuratieffJean-Pierre AumontGorotchenkoAlexander ScourbyNatalia MayovskayaLouise TroyCharles DavisGeorge S. IrvingGrace Davis Louise Kirtland George Davis Byron MitchellHelen Davis Margery GrayMaria SoukhomineBettye JenkinsMarina Rita MetzgerVassilyPaul Michael
Songs
Act I "Nitchevo" "I Go to Bed" "You'll Make an Elegant Butler (I'll Make an Elegant Maid)"¹ "Stuck With Each Other" "Say You'll Stay" "You Love Me" "Introduction Tango" "That Face" "Wilkes-Barre, Pa." "No! No! No!" "A Small Cartel"
Act II "It Used to Be" "Make a Friend" "The Only One" "Uh-Oh!" "Managed" "I Know the Feeling" "All for You" "Grande Polonaise"
¹ - music and lyrics by Joan Javits and Philip Springer
Awards and nominations Original Broadway production Year Award Category Nominee Result 1963 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Vivien Leigh Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Louise Troy
References
External links
The Guide to Musical Theatre