I was listening to the wonderful Original Cast Recording of TENDERLOIN. The show had a brief run in 1960. It was about the efforts of a crusading minister wanting to clean up the vice and corrupt Tenderloin district of New York.
I LOVE the score, but I was always bothered by the book. Reverend Brock (The minister) seemed like a fusty old killjoy who wanted to get rid of all the fun. I much prefered the "sleazy" people of the Tenderloin. They were far more interesting than that old coot Brock and their ensemble numbers were a blast! Only problem was that old man Brock was the focus of the show, so he had to be in the positive light.
One would have to wonder if the book were re-written to reflect more upon the ensemble than the Reverend would the show had been successful? Heck, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE I TEXAS went that route and look at how well it did! TENDERLOIN has a great Bock and Harnick score with "My Gentleman Johnny", "Little Old New York", "The Picture of Happiness", "Good Clean Fun", and the show's biggest hit song "Artificial Flowers".
Think it could work?
I saw TENDERLOIN in 1960 and didn't care for it. You're right about the Reverend Brock--he is a kiljoy! Walter Kerr, critic for the now defunct NY Herald Tribune, stated, "Maurice Evans plays a crusading minister who wants to eliminate the production numbers". It received 5 unfavorable reviews by the major critics and closed after 216 performances at a financial loss, a huge disappointment for those expecting a winner from the creators of FIORELLO. I think major re-writing would only slightly improve a loser of a show. Let it rest in peace and enjoy the cast album.
Ya know Gypsy9, people might complain about the critics, but that has to be one of the most accurate reviews I've ever read!
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