Before Chicago there was Sweet Charity! Combining the inspirations of Bob Fosse and the hilarity of Neil Simon, Boebe Productions presents Sweet Charity, with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. Directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse starring his wife and famous red headed muse Gwen Verdon alongside John McMartin; it is based on Federico Fellini’s screenplay for Nights of Cabiria. However, where Fellini’s black-and-white Italian film concerns the romantic ups-and-downs of an ever-hopeful prostitute, in the musical the central character is a dancer-for –hire at a Times Square dance hall.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 1966, where it was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, and also ran in the West End as well as having revivals and international productions.
Charity Valentine is the eternal optimist. While working at the seedy Fan-Dango ballroom, where the motto is “Hey Big Spender”, she often thinks “There Must Be Something Better Than This”. Finally, she seems to have met a decent fellow in Oscar and experience wonderful things: “If My Friends Could See Me Now!” Trying to hide her true profession, she lies to him and tells him that she works in a bank. Soon, Oscar asks Charity to marry him. Unfortunately, Oscar discovers Charity’s real profession and backs out of the marriage. Nevertheless, Charity continues to remain hopeful that good things will happen in her life. With show stopping production numbers, this show is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Windwood Theatrical’s Sweet Charity will be in Reynolds March 20th, 7:30pm.
