Trivial Pursuit #17

Harold Rome completed his musical version of GONE WITH THE WIND, then titled SCARLETT, in 1970.

Like most musicals of its day, Rome decided to take it "out of town" to try it out.

However, he went a TAD farther than Philly or Detroit for the tryout.

WHERE did SCARLETT have its World Premiere?


GOOD LUCK, Everybody!!! :)

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Glebb,

ONCE AGAIN, you are !00% CORRECT!!!

If Trivial Pursuit Prizes were kisses, you'd be SMOOCHED all over! :)

Yes, Scarlett had its World Premiere in Tokyo in 1970.


Now for your bonus points: How long did the musical version of GONE WITH THE WIND last on Broadway?

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It never went to Broadway. After Japan, it went to London, then had its American premieres in LA and San Francisco. It planned to tour, then ht Broadway, but the reviews were so bad, they killed it after the CA runs.

EDIT: it should also be mentioned that it wasn't so much TAKEN to Japan for a tryout as it actually originated in Japan. A Japanese production company which had presented a 9-hour nonmusical staging of the book decided to do the musical. Kazuo Kikuta was the biggest proponent of the idea. He wrote the book, and most of the other creative talent was brought in from America- Rome included. The director, choreographer, and orchestrator were all American. The show ran 4 hours.

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Updated On: 11/5/04 at 08:06 AM

I almost forgot--for more information on the unique Premiere of SCARLETT in Japan, please see the book THE SCARLETT LETTERS.

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Matt,

That is WAY COOL!

THANKS for sharing that valuable info! :)

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