Timbuktu

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 8:50pm

It has been so long but I did not remember that Melba Moore was in Timbuktu. The reason I did not remember was she was out that night as the little notice is still in the Playbill

Taking it with us to Mimi La Duck so I can get Kitt to sign it . I also have to get a picture with the Catwoman

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 9:02pm

I'll never forget Eartha Kitt's grand entrance. After and elaborate parade of much pomp and circumstance, Kitt came on carried on the shoulders of the beautiful and muscular Joe Lynn. There was a pause and then she purred casually "Anything new in town?" It brought the house down.

She, Moore, Ira Hawkins and Gilbert Price were all sensational, as were the sets and costumes and, of course, the classic "Kismet" score. A wonderful production.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 9:04pm

You have a great memory as I remember nothing of it

[alterego]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 10:46pm

Gilbert Price was the most charismatic man I have ever witnessed onstage. And that voice!

[WalkOn]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 10:49pm

Was TIMBUKTU a version of KISMET?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 10:55pm

Yes, it set the show in West Africa (where the real Timbuktu was located) rather than Baghdad. The concept really worked and the designs (Geoffrey Holder did the costumes, as well as directed and choreographed) were eye-popping.

[alterego]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:00pm

Mr Roxy you have forgotten a most important element in your thread heading - the exclamation point. TIMBUKTU! All the best shows have it.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:40pm

Is my memory playing tricks or did Eartha Kitt have one leg extended in the air when she made that spectacular entrance?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:45pm

I remember that too, Dollypop.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 11:52pm

That means we're either both right or both senile.

[alterego]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:46am

Not the performance I attended, both feet were firmly on the guys shoulders. I went to a matinee, perhaps she only did the extension of an evening.

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:01pm

I hate to bring up an old thread, but I've recently been trying to find out more about Timbuktu! (I've recently discovered the score to Kismet, and I realized that this had the same songs as that show. Why is that?)

Did they just take the songs and rework the plot/location? There is little information I can find online. But I love Eartha Kitt and it's too bad this show failed. What went wrong? Had everyone "seen it all before?" Or was it just boring? From the way you all (those who saw it) describe the sets, it sounds pretty lavish and spectacular. But was it all style and no substance? I'd love to hear more!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:13pm

How bizzare! I have this 'on order' and it should be with m e within the next 2 weeks! Its the 1978 studio recording I'm expecting. Thanks for the bump of this thread as I knew nothing about the show!w

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 8:54pm

Where were you able to find that Studio Recording, if you don't mind my asking? Who is featured on it?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/20/08 at 11:05pm

I recall "Night of my Nights" being performed as a procession up and down the aisles of the theater with lots of animal projections on the walls.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 10/21/08 at 12:18am

YouTube has the commercial posted on it.