Hot Spot 1963
Hot Spot 1963
inception
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
#1Hot Spot 1963
Posted: 4/19/24 at 11:41am
With this week's raft of openings, and the temper tantrums over reviews, I thought it might be nice to remember even the most talented people had Broadway failures.
On this day in 1963 Judy Holliday's final stage performance in "Hot Spot" opened at the Majestic Theater. With a book by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, lyrics by Martin Charnin, music by Mary Rodgers, and additional lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, this political satire closed on May 25, 1963, after 43 performances and 5 previews.
According to Wikipedia:
"At least five directors worked on the show: the original director was Morton DaCosta, followed by Martin Charnin, Robert Fryer, Richard Quine, Arthur Laurents, and Herbert Ross. The original choreographer was Onna White. There was no credit given to either director or choreographer, although the New York Times review credits read "staged by Herbert Ross"."
Also from Wikipedia:
"Although reporting 5 "official" previews, according to The New York Times, "the musical expects to run up 36 [previews] at the Majestic by the time it opens""
Judy Holliday's was quoted as saying "You can only live through one or two Hot Spots in your life."
Though a cast album was not recorded, Billboard reported a Warner Brothers investment in the show of $200,000. According to some random Google search I just did that is $2,041,385.62 in today's dollars.
The synopsis of the show, again from Wikipedia:
"Peace Corps volunteer, hygiene teacher "Sally Hopwinder", is stationed in a fictional nation, "D'hum" with decent living conditions. She concocts a plan to obtain U.S. aid for D'hum by convincing the Pentagon that Russia is about to invade it."
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Updated On: 4/19/24 at 11:41 AM
#2Hot Spot 1963
Posted: 4/19/24 at 11:47am
Be kind...don't laugh!
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#3Hot Spot 1963
Posted: 4/19/24 at 12:03pm
I always thought it was sad that one of our most unique actresses ended her career with such a massive flop. I was just a little too young to see this, but I would have if I were older, just to see her. Bella Are Ringing is a flawed show and film, with many delightful parts, because of her performance and a mostly wonderful score. I do admit to having a few songs skipped when I play it, but her songs are all stellar.
