Illya Darling is a musical 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 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.
Attendance was fueled by the star wattage provided by Melina Mercouri, 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, Jane."Curtain up review, 2003 Los Angeles production" curtainup.com, March 15, 2003
Other cast members included Orson Bean as Homer Thrace, Nikos Kourkoulos (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.Information about the production and tour zanestein.com Nat Horne was a featured dancer in the production.
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.
Synopsis Illya, a carefree prostitute, 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 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.
Original cast and characters CharacterBroadway (1967)Playbill 1967 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/07/2023First National Tour (1968)Playbill 1968 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/07/2023IllyaMelina MercouriCyd CharisseHomer Thrace Orson BeanJon CypherTonioNikos KourkoulosRaul JuliaMr. No Face Hal LindenWilliam MooneyCaptainRudy BondDespoDespoLou RodgersVassily Joe E. MarksYorgos Titos VandisGarbage ManWilliam DuellJoe AlfasaWaiterHarold GaryJay Kirsch
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."Gaver, Jack." 'Illya Darling' Depends Largely on Greek Star" St. Petersburg Times, April 13, 1967
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, Steven."Melina Mercouri as Illya Darling and Steven Pasquale's "Somethin' Like Love" ", playbill.com, April 12, 2009
Awards and nominations Original Broadway production Year Award Category Nominee Result 1968 Tony Award Best Musical Best Composer and Lyricist Manos Hadjidakis and Joe Darion Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Melina Mercouri Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Nikos Kourkoulos Best Direction of a Musical Jules Dassin Best Choreography Onna White
References
External links
Time Magazine review