"THE HAPPY TIME"

I was recently told about the musical "The Happy Time". After doing some research, I discovered that it was written by Kander and Ebb. Has anyone seen the show? I have never heard of it before and was wondering why it doesn't seem to ever be produced by regional and/or community theatres.

The person who told me about it also said that he had heard a rumor that the reason it flopped was because the composers had done something that made the critics very angry, so they slammed it, while it was in fact a very good piece of musical theatre. Is there any truth to this? Come on all of you theatre historians!

This is part of the review that I read on Amazon:

"The story involves a world renowned photographer, who makes a journey back to his hometown of St. Pierre, French Canada. It is a story of reflection. and the authors do their very best to make it a very poigant piece."

I'm considering purchasing the recording. Do you think it is worth it?

Yes the review on Amazon hinted towards a song that was a tribute to St. Pierre. I listened to the clips on Amazon and the score seems pretty good.

Okay, I have listened to it again - and some memories have surprisingly come back.

I think the musical score is probably the best thing that went for the show ( the album notes will tell you what went wrong with the show, although it was mostly the book that was blamed for the problems) - the songs are melodious, luminous, and very evocative. The singing is very clear and evokes the right emotions. I am fan of the Robert Goulet of Camelot and he is in strong and romantic voice here. He sings some memorable ballads here...plus the song that I remember most ( "Saint Pierre", with a boys' chorus and in French). Incidentally, he also won the TONY for this role.

I recommend getting this album, if you can find one. I am glad I got one - now that I have heard it all over again.

I Don't Remember You and Please Stay are beautiful and characterful songs but the rest of the score just isn't very interesting. It seems like a show that didn't have a compelling lyrical reason to be a musical. I think Gower Champion was intrigued by the multi-media aspect of the show (photographs were used throughout) and the idea of memory and and revisiting the past. But Goulet's character was unsympathetic and the show never really took flight.

Thanks for the info/opinions everyone. I think maybe I'll order a copy of the recording from Amazon. It seems like something that would be fun to have in my collection.

eslgr8 - that is interesting about Michael (Mike) Rupert! "Flasettos" is my favorite show, and I have never really heard Michael in anything prior to it. Can he be heard on the recording?

I did "and the World Goes Round" in college and I loved singing "I Don't Remember You". Gorgeous song - probably one of my favorite songs I have performed thus far in my life. Compelling.

---