The Gay Life
Encyclopedia
The Gay Life is a musical
with a book by Fay and Michael Kanin, lyrics by Howard Dietz
, and music by Arthur Schwartz
.
Based on a cycle of seven short plays by Arthur Schnitzler
, published in 1893 and first staged in 1910, The Gay Life focuses on womanizing playboy Anatol Von Huber. The score is a mixture of traditional Broadway
show tunes and operetta
.
. The production opened on Broadway
at the Shubert Theatre
on November 18, 1961 and closed on February 24, 1962 after 113 performances and three previews. Directed by Gerald Freedman
and choreographed by Herbert Ross
, the cast included Walter Chiari
as Anatol, Barbara Cook
as Liesl, and Jules Munshin as Max, with Elizabeth Allen as Magda.
Because of the connotation the term "gay
" had acquired since the show's original staging, its title was changed to The High Life when it was presented in concert by the off-Broadway
Musicals Tonight! in October 2005.
Anatol, a confirmed bachelor and playboy, has decided the time has come to settle down and get married. His target is the sister of his best friend Max, the virginal Liesl, whose longtime crush on him makes her the likeliest candidate. But the young lady is determined to tame the philanderer and make him swear to be true to her before she accepts his proposal.
After meeting Anatol for the first time since she was a child at the marriage mart in Carlsbad, Liesl decides that Anatol is the man for her. However, as the guests waltz, Antol leaves with the Frenchwoman Mimi. When they meet again again on Christmas Eve, Liesl tells Anatol how she feels, even though he is with Mimi.
Anatol learns that Mimi plans on leaving him, and he invents a story about his relationship with Liesl. Anatol does in fact propose, but Liesl is doubtful they will really marry. Her doubts seem to come true when his old flame, Magda, is found in his bedroom. Although Liesl declares that she will not marry him, he proposes again, and they marry.
Act II
, called the show "colorful, cheerful, and leisurely in an Old World way" and wrote: "The nicest of all the gemutlich...is Barbara Cook. As Liesl she conveys an enchanting blend of gentle simplicity and independent character. The integrity of her acting and her singing voice gives an oft-told sentimental story the credibility of human warmth."
(Capitol WAO 1560 and SWAO 1560) and later released on CD by Angel, then DRG. John Wilson, reviewing the album (New York Times) wrote that "relieved of the encumbrance of the book the score is sunny and lilting with extremely hummable songs."
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with a book by Fay and Michael Kanin, lyrics by Howard Dietz
Howard Dietz
Howard Dietz was an American publicist, lyricist, and librettist.-Biography:Dietz was born in New York City and studied journalism at Columbia University...
, and music by Arthur Schwartz
Arthur Schwartz
Arthur Schwartz was an American composer and film producer.Schwartz supported his legal studies at New York University and postgraduate studies at Columbia University by playing piano before concentrating his talents on vaudeville, Broadway theatre and Hollywood.Among his Broadway musicals are The...
.
Based on a cycle of seven short plays by Arthur Schnitzler
Arthur Schnitzler
Dr. Arthur Schnitzler was an Austrian author and dramatist.- Biography :Arthur Schnitzler, son of a prominent Hungarian-Jewish laryngologist Johann Schnitzler and Luise Markbreiter , was born in Praterstraße 16, Leopoldstadt, Vienna, in the Austro-Hungarian...
, published in 1893 and first staged in 1910, The Gay Life focuses on womanizing playboy Anatol Von Huber. The score is a mixture of traditional Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
show tunes and operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
.
Production
The Gay Life started pre-Broadway try-outs at the Fisher Theater in Detroit and the O'Keefe Centre in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The production opened on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Shubert Theatre
Shubert Theatre (Broadway)
The Shubert Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 225 West 44th Street in midtown-Manhattan, New York, United States.Designed by architect Henry Beaumont Herts, it was named after Sam S. Shubert, the second oldest of the three brothers of the theatrical producing family...
on November 18, 1961 and closed on February 24, 1962 after 113 performances and three previews. Directed by Gerald Freedman
Gerald Freedman
Gerald Freedman is an American theatre director, librettist, and lyricist, and a college dean.Born in Lorain, Ohio, Freedman was educated at Northwestern University, where he received both BA and MA degrees. He began his career as assistant director of such projects as Bells Are Ringing, West Side...
and choreographed by Herbert Ross
Herbert Ross
Herbert Ross was an American film director, producer, choreographer and actor.-Early life and career:Born Herbert David Ross in Brooklyn, New York, he made his stage debut as Third Witch with a touring company of Macbeth in 1942...
, the cast included Walter Chiari
Walter Chiari
Walter Chiari, stage name of Walter Annichiarico , was a hugely successful Italian stage and screen actor, mostly in comedy roles....
as Anatol, Barbara Cook
Barbara Cook
Barbara Cook is an American singer and actress who first came to prominence in the 1950s after starring in the original Broadway musicals Candide and The Music Man among others, winning a Tony Award for the latter...
as Liesl, and Jules Munshin as Max, with Elizabeth Allen as Magda.
Because of the connotation the term "gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
" had acquired since the show's original staging, its title was changed to The High Life when it was presented in concert by the off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
Musicals Tonight! in October 2005.
Synopsis
In Vienna in 1904, Anatol Von Huber is to marry Liesl, but his former mistress is discovered with him on his wedding day. In flashback Anatol remembers how he arrived at this circumstance.Anatol, a confirmed bachelor and playboy, has decided the time has come to settle down and get married. His target is the sister of his best friend Max, the virginal Liesl, whose longtime crush on him makes her the likeliest candidate. But the young lady is determined to tame the philanderer and make him swear to be true to her before she accepts his proposal.
After meeting Anatol for the first time since she was a child at the marriage mart in Carlsbad, Liesl decides that Anatol is the man for her. However, as the guests waltz, Antol leaves with the Frenchwoman Mimi. When they meet again again on Christmas Eve, Liesl tells Anatol how she feels, even though he is with Mimi.
Anatol learns that Mimi plans on leaving him, and he invents a story about his relationship with Liesl. Anatol does in fact propose, but Liesl is doubtful they will really marry. Her doubts seem to come true when his old flame, Magda, is found in his bedroom. Although Liesl declares that she will not marry him, he proposes again, and they marry.
Songs
Act I- What A Charming Couple - Ensemble
- Why Go Anywhere at All? - Helene
- Bring Your Darling Daughter - Max, Ensemble
- Now I'm Ready for a Frau - Anatol, Max
- Magic Moment - Liesl
- Who Can? You Can - Anatol, Liesl
- Oh, Mein Liebchen - Ensemble
- The Label on the Bottle-
- This Kind of a Girl - Anatol, Liesl
- The Bloom Is Off the Rose - Max, Male Ensemble
- Who Can? You Can (Reprise) - Ensemble
- Now I'm Ready for a Frau (Reprise) - Anatol
- Magic Moment (Reprise) - Liesl
Act II
- I'm Glad I'm Single - Max and Male Ensemble
- Now I'm Ready for a Frau (Reprise) - Anatol and Max
- Something You Never Had Before - Liesl
- You Will Never Be Lonely - Frau Brandel, Herr Brandel and Ensemble
- You're Not the Type - Anatol and Liesl
- Come A-Wandering With Me - Magda and Male Dancers
- I Never Had a Chance - Anatol
- I Wouldn't Marry You - Liesl
- For the First Time - Anatol
Critical response
Howard Taubman, reviewing for The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, called the show "colorful, cheerful, and leisurely in an Old World way" and wrote: "The nicest of all the gemutlich...is Barbara Cook. As Liesl she conveys an enchanting blend of gentle simplicity and independent character. The integrity of her acting and her singing voice gives an oft-told sentimental story the credibility of human warmth."
Recording
An original cast recording was released by Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
(Capitol WAO 1560 and SWAO 1560) and later released on CD by Angel, then DRG. John Wilson, reviewing the album (New York Times) wrote that "relieved of the encumbrance of the book the score is sunny and lilting with extremely hummable songs."
Awards and nominations
- Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Allen, nominee) - Tony Award for Best Scenic Design - (Oliver SmithOliver Smith (designer)Oliver Smith was an American scenic designer.Born in Waupun, Wisconsin, Smith attended Penn State, after which he moved to New York City and began to form friendships that blossomed into working relationships with such talents as Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Carson McCullers, and Agnes de...
, nominee) - Tony Award for Best Costume Design - (Lucinda BallardLucinda BallardLucinda Ballard was an American costume designer who worked primarily in Broadway theatre.Born Lucinda Davis Goldsborough in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ballard studied at the Art Students League in New York City. Her first professional credits was as the scenic and costume designer for a 1937...
, winner) - Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director (Herbert Greene, nominee)