Fade in film12/30/2023 ![]() Prong, expecting Ginger Rogers in the role, objects. Calling Byron Prong, the studio's leading male star, to the room, Ralph Governor (Mitchell Jason), the number four nephew who aspires to his uncle's position, informs Prong that he will appear in a new film opposite Hope Springfield. The dissenter is Rudolph ( Dick Patterson), who insists she's just not his uncle's type - she's too wholesome. As they wait, the nephews agree that their uncle has effectively bound them together in the brotherhood of "Fear." Hope Springfield enters and all the nephews but one accept her at face value. In the executive dining room of FFF Studios, his six vice-president nephews are waiting to meet the girl their uncle has written them about. Posing for publicity photos and reflecting upon her days a theatre usher and her burning ambition to be a star, she sings "It's Good To Be Back Home" - the home of her dreams.Īfter leaving instructions in New York to ship the number five chorus girl to Hollywood and give her the star buildup. Governor ( Lou Jacobi), arrives at the studio gates. Hope Springfield ( Carol Burnett), pulled from the number five position in a New York City chorus line and sent to Hollywood by FFF Studios, headed by L. As Hollywood tourists mill around him, tour guide Byron Prong ( Jack Cassidy), a faded star, reminisces as he sings about the good old days in "Oh Those Thirties." Recalling the now legendary Lila Tremaine, the old man's memory slips back to the first day she came to Hollywood. Porchlight Music Theatre presented Fade Out-Fade In as a part of "Porchlight Revisits" in which they stage three forgotten musicals per year. and fur by leading Sydney furrier Cornelius of Sydney. Angus Winneke designed the costumes, with Miss Smith's costumes by Robert White Pty. Governor, and John Stratton as Byron Prong.Īlex Palmero served as Director & Choreographer. Sheila Smith starred as Hope Springfield, with H.F. The Australian production presented by Tivoli Circuit opened at the Tivoli Theatre, Sydney on February 20, 1965, followed by a season at Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne from June 3, 1965. When Burnett created her television variety series in 1967, she hired Fade Out – Fade In choreographer Flatt and lead dancer Don Crichton to join the creative team. Universal Music Group, ABC Records' eventual successor, re-released the cast album on CD in 2003 on its Decca Broadway imprint. Īn original cast recording was released by ABC Records (then known as ABC Paramount), whose parent company, The American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., co-produced the show. Finally, the financial losses sustained during Burnett's two absences proved to be insurmountable, and the production closed. According to Steven Suskin, the show was then "a hard sell" and during the hiatus, several other musicals had opened ( Fiddler on the Roof and Golden Boy), and the show did not regain its momentum. When the show's producers threatened a breach-of-contract lawsuit, Burnett returned on February 15, 1965. Mitzie Welch went on for Burnett, but in November 1964, the producers announced that the show would close until Burnett was able to return. Burnett announced in October 1964 that she was leaving the show to have therapy, and the producers announced that they would try to find a replacement. After recuperating, Burnett returned to the show, but left shortly afterwards to participate in The Entertainers, a television variety show that her husband Joe Hamilton was producing. The production temporarily shut down for one week starting on July 27, 1964, then reopened with Betty Hutton in the lead. Then Burnett was sidelined due to a serious neck injury sustained in a taxi accident in July 1964. CBS bought out her contract so she could appear in the television show Gilligan's Island. The production faced its first Opening Night Cast change when Tina Louise left the production in June 1964. Howard Taubman, in his review for The New York Times, praised the direction ("gusto"), the performers ("exuberant"), some production numbers ("vivacious") and an occasional bright line, concluding that " Fade Out-Fade In spreads enough good cheer to suggest that it will be around for quite a while." He also praised Burnett's "amiable zest" and "genial comic impudence." Dick Shawn replaced Cassidy in February 1965.Įxcellent reviews led to a box-office bonanza, and in its early weeks the show consistently out-grossed other current musicals Hello, Dolly! and Funny Girl. Cassidy was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Governor, Jack Cassidy as Byron Prong, and Tina Louise. Directed by George Abbott and choreographed by Ernest Flatt, the cast included Carol Burnett as Hope Springfield, Dick Patterson as Rudolf, Lou Jacobi as Lionel Z. The musical opened on Broadway on at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, and closed on April 17, 1965, after 274 performances and six previews.
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