ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - This landmark musical needs to be revived for many reasons: it's considered Broadways last great Golden Era score with book & lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green (Wonderful Town) and music by Cy Coleman (Sweety Charity, City of Angles, Will Roger's Follies). Originally directed by Hal Prince. Part operetta, part screwball comedy; it's a hilarious, inventive, big, splashy musical comedy in the best sense of the word. But more than anything audiences deserve to revisit OTTC's technically brilliant design work. Robin Wagner's sleek and beautiful art deco train is considered by many to be among the greatest of Broadway set designs (a formidable group to top for sure). Much like Wagner's landmark design for A Chorus Line, OTTC's set became as much a character as any of the actors onstage, moving, unfolding, shrinking and growing as it sped along a-vista (in full view) to the show's pulsing train-like rhythms. The show ran for well over a year on Broadway. When Madeline Kahn dropped out very early in the run due to "vocal stress" Judy Kaye stepped into the taxing role of "Lily Garland" and became a fully-blown Broadway star.
I never witnessed the Broadway production but years later saw a bus-and-truck production featuring OBC members Judy Kaye and Imogene Coca. I remember Coca seeming a bit odd on stage that night(odder than usual

then not coming out for the curtain call. We found out later she'd suffered a heart attack towards the end of the evening's performance (non-fatal). Even with one of the lead actors at death's door and without it's brilliant set I found the show to be a gem. If you've never heard it, do yourself a favor and buy the soundtrack. Before I bought the CD I owned the LP. This was one that I played nearly through the grooves.
Please...someone...bring back ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. Keep the score, keep the direction, KEEP THE SET, ...update the sound and lighting. This one's a winner.
Updated On: 1/14/10 at 06:40 PM