Scapino, also written Scapino!, is a 1974 play adapted by Jim Dale and Frank Dunlop from Les Fourberies de Scapin by Molière, which opened at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. A production by the Young Vic,Thomas S. Hischak, American Theatre: A Chronicle of Comedy and Drama, 1969-2000, Oxford University Press (2001) - Google Books pg. 71 it starred Jim Dale, Denise Coffey and Ian Trigger and was directed by Frank Dunlop.The Theater: ‘Scapino’ - The New York Times 15 March 1974 The production later moved to the Circle in the Square Theater and then the Ambassador Theatre in New York.
In this adaptation Molière's French play is transposed to modern Naples in a British pantomime-style. Here the deceitful valet Scapino contrives to bring his master's children of two sons and two daughters and their various loves together through all kinds of trickery - despite his master's own plans for them.Scapino (1974) - Playbill (1974)'You Don't Have to Be Shrewish' - New York Magazine 1 Apr 1974 - Google Books pg. 74Ian Trigger - Internet Broadway Database The music was by Jim Dale.
In 1974 Frank Dunlop was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director; Dale won the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award in 1974, while in 1975 Dale was nominated for Best Actor and Dunlop for Best Director at the 29th Tony Awards. Inside the Playbill: Jim Dale - The 29th Annual Tony Awards - Playbill 20 April 1975
Cast (The first names appeared in the original production at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. The second set are the cast after the show moved to the Ambassador Theatre in New York.
Scapino (servant of Geronte) - Jim Dale Headwaiter - Barry Michlin Waiters - Hugh Hastings and Alan Coates/George Connolly and Norman Abrams Waitress - Jenny Austen/Holly Villaire Argante - Ian Trigger Giacinta - Mel Martin/Connie Fursland Carlo - Andrew Robertson/John Horn Ottavio (son of Argant) - Ian Charleson/Christopher Hastings Sylvestro (servant of Argante, friend of Scapino) - Gavin Reed Geronte - Paul Brooke/J. Frank Lucas Leandro (son of Geronte) - Phil Killian Zerbinetta (a gypsy, beloved of Leandro) - Denise Coffey/Hattie Winston Nurse - Lotti Taylor/Bertha SklarProduction of Scapino (1974) - Brooklyn Academy of Music Archive
References