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Camelot (1982)Opening Date: Nov 15, 1981
Closing Date: Jan 2, 1982 Air date: Sept 26, 1982 Medium: TV Where to watch: Amazon Prime & DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from these links), BroadwayHD |
Stage Production Notes
Following on from Brigadoon (1947), Paint Your Wagon (1951) and My Fair Lady (1956), Camelot was the 7th collaboration of musical composing team Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.
The musical was based on T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, and told the mythic story of King Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot.
The original Broadway production of Camelot opened on December 3, 1960 at the Majestic Theatre. Directed by Moss Hart (in what would be his last Broadway production), the show featured Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet in his Broadway debut.
Although considered inferior to Lerner and Loewe’s previous hit My Fair Lady, Camelot ran for 873 performances, was nominated for five Tony Awards, winning four, including Best Actor in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Conductor. The cast recording was the highest selling record in the United States for 60 weeks in 1961.
Camelot opened on the West End in August 1964 and ran for 518 performances.
A movie adaptation directed by Joshua Logan and starring Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero was released in 1967.
Camelot was first revived on Broadway in 1980 at Lincoln Center starring Richard Burton.
Richard Burton commenced a national tour early in 1981, but became seriously ill. The producers thought they would have to close the tour, however after Richard Harris stepped in, the ticket sales boomed. The tour was extended, and eventually brought to Broadway.
The second revival opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on November 15, 1981. It played for a total of 57 performances before closing on January 2, 1982.
Despite the short run, the revival was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Reproduction of a Play or Musical, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Paxton Whitehead). The Public Theater’s immensely popular production of Pirates of Penzance, which was also filmed live, took home the Tony that year for Best Reproduction.
A third revival was staged at the Gerswhin Theatre in 1993 starring Robert Goulet.
A semi-staged production directed by Lonny Price and starring Gabriel Byrne was performed at Lincoln Center in 2008. This production was also filmed live.
A special one-night-only benefit was held at the Shubert Theatre in 2011, with Jeremy Irons in the lead role.
Camelot is available for licensing through Tams-Witmark.
Following on from Brigadoon (1947), Paint Your Wagon (1951) and My Fair Lady (1956), Camelot was the 7th collaboration of musical composing team Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.
The musical was based on T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, and told the mythic story of King Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot.
The original Broadway production of Camelot opened on December 3, 1960 at the Majestic Theatre. Directed by Moss Hart (in what would be his last Broadway production), the show featured Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet in his Broadway debut.
Although considered inferior to Lerner and Loewe’s previous hit My Fair Lady, Camelot ran for 873 performances, was nominated for five Tony Awards, winning four, including Best Actor in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Conductor. The cast recording was the highest selling record in the United States for 60 weeks in 1961.
Camelot opened on the West End in August 1964 and ran for 518 performances.
A movie adaptation directed by Joshua Logan and starring Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero was released in 1967.
Camelot was first revived on Broadway in 1980 at Lincoln Center starring Richard Burton.
Richard Burton commenced a national tour early in 1981, but became seriously ill. The producers thought they would have to close the tour, however after Richard Harris stepped in, the ticket sales boomed. The tour was extended, and eventually brought to Broadway.
The second revival opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on November 15, 1981. It played for a total of 57 performances before closing on January 2, 1982.
Despite the short run, the revival was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Reproduction of a Play or Musical, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Paxton Whitehead). The Public Theater’s immensely popular production of Pirates of Penzance, which was also filmed live, took home the Tony that year for Best Reproduction.
A third revival was staged at the Gerswhin Theatre in 1993 starring Robert Goulet.
A semi-staged production directed by Lonny Price and starring Gabriel Byrne was performed at Lincoln Center in 2008. This production was also filmed live.
A special one-night-only benefit was held at the Shubert Theatre in 2011, with Jeremy Irons in the lead role.
Camelot is available for licensing through Tams-Witmark.
Filmed Production Notes
Like the 1982 touring production of Sweeney Todd, the second Broadway revival of Camelot was filmed live with and without an audience. New York Times television critic John J. O’Connor noted that along with the addition of dry ice “to produce a fairy-tale mist,” some changes had been made for the taping, including limited re-staging, and set adjustments.
Richard Harris was reportedly ill during the taping, but received glowing reviews for his performance. John J. O’Connor noted that Harris “skillfully elevates a serviceable musical to surprisingly moving drama.”
The taping aired on HBO on September 26, 1982. HBO invested over $3 million into the taping, its first venture into providing theatre content. Michael Fuchs, HBO’s executive vice president of programming, recognized Camelot’s cultural significance, and hoped its starry leading man would draw viewers.
The VHS was released by Showtime in 1982.
Acorn Media released the DVD in 2007. DVDTalk reviewer Paul Mavis recommended it as "one for the fans."
Camelot is now available on PrimeVideo, DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from these links), and BroadwayHD.
Like the 1982 touring production of Sweeney Todd, the second Broadway revival of Camelot was filmed live with and without an audience. New York Times television critic John J. O’Connor noted that along with the addition of dry ice “to produce a fairy-tale mist,” some changes had been made for the taping, including limited re-staging, and set adjustments.
Richard Harris was reportedly ill during the taping, but received glowing reviews for his performance. John J. O’Connor noted that Harris “skillfully elevates a serviceable musical to surprisingly moving drama.”
The taping aired on HBO on September 26, 1982. HBO invested over $3 million into the taping, its first venture into providing theatre content. Michael Fuchs, HBO’s executive vice president of programming, recognized Camelot’s cultural significance, and hoped its starry leading man would draw viewers.
The VHS was released by Showtime in 1982.
Acorn Media released the DVD in 2007. DVDTalk reviewer Paul Mavis recommended it as "one for the fans."
Camelot is now available on PrimeVideo, DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from these links), and BroadwayHD.
Camelot PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Winter Garden Theater, New York
Producer: Mike Merrick, Don Gregory, Michael Fuchs
Book and Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
Music: Frederick Loewe
Director: Frank Dunlop Film: Marty Callner
Musical Director: Franz Allers Film: Terry James
Orchestrations: Robert Russel Bennett, Phil Lang, Robert Kreis
Choreography: Buddy Schwab
Scenic and Costume Design: Desmond Heeley
Lighting Design: Thomas Skelton Film: Greg Brunton
Stage Manager: Alan Hall, Steve Adler
Cast:
Richard Harris (King Arthur), Meg Bussert (Guenevere), Richard Muenz (Lancelot Du Lac), Barrie Ingham (King Pelinore), James Valentine (Merlyn), Richard Backus (Mordred), William Parry (Sir Dinidan), Thor Fields (Tom of Warwick), Andy McAvin (Sir Sagramore), Jeanne Caryl (Nimne), Robert Molnar (Dap), Vincent Prestia (Friar), Sally Williams (Lady Anne), Patrice Pickering (Lady Sybil), William James (Sir Lionel), Steve Osborn (Squire), Randy Morgan (Squire), Craig Mason (Squire), Ken Henley (Knight), Bruce Sherman (Knight), Jack Starkey (Knight), Ron Stratton (Knight), Thor Fields (Tom), Daisy (Horrid)
Theatre: Winter Garden Theater, New York
Producer: Mike Merrick, Don Gregory, Michael Fuchs
Book and Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
Music: Frederick Loewe
Director: Frank Dunlop Film: Marty Callner
Musical Director: Franz Allers Film: Terry James
Orchestrations: Robert Russel Bennett, Phil Lang, Robert Kreis
Choreography: Buddy Schwab
Scenic and Costume Design: Desmond Heeley
Lighting Design: Thomas Skelton Film: Greg Brunton
Stage Manager: Alan Hall, Steve Adler
Cast:
Richard Harris (King Arthur), Meg Bussert (Guenevere), Richard Muenz (Lancelot Du Lac), Barrie Ingham (King Pelinore), James Valentine (Merlyn), Richard Backus (Mordred), William Parry (Sir Dinidan), Thor Fields (Tom of Warwick), Andy McAvin (Sir Sagramore), Jeanne Caryl (Nimne), Robert Molnar (Dap), Vincent Prestia (Friar), Sally Williams (Lady Anne), Patrice Pickering (Lady Sybil), William James (Sir Lionel), Steve Osborn (Squire), Randy Morgan (Squire), Craig Mason (Squire), Ken Henley (Knight), Bruce Sherman (Knight), Jack Starkey (Knight), Ron Stratton (Knight), Thor Fields (Tom), Daisy (Horrid)
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Jerry Roberts, The Great American Playwrights on the Screen: A Critical Guide to Film, TV, Video and DVD, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books (2003)
Articles
- John Corry
- “News of the Theatre; Richard Harris Bringing ‘Camelot’ to Broadway,” New York Times (June 3, 1981)
- “Broadway is Thinking - and Hoping - Big,” New York Times (Aug 30, 1981)
- “News of the Theatre; Richard Harris Bringing ‘Camelot’ to Broadway,” New York Times (June 3, 1981)
- John Duka, “Cable TV Turns Hungrily to the Theatre,” New York Times (June 27, 1982)
- Joe Dziemianowicz, “Shining moments brief in N.Y. Philharmonic's ‘Camelot’,” NY Daily News (May 8, 2008)
- Andrew Gans
- John J. O’Connor, “3 New Series and HBO’s ‘Camelot’” New York Times (Sept 24, 1982)
- Paul Mavis, “Camelot,” DVDTalk (May 1, 2007)
- Matthew Murray, “The New York Philharmonic Presents Camelot In Concert,” Talkin Broadway (May 5, 2008)
- Susan Stempleski, “New York Philharmonic – Camelot,” Classical Source (May 10, 2008)
- Steven Suskin, “Review: ‘Camelot’,” Variety (May 8, 2008)
- Anthony Tommasini, “That Congenial Spot Revisited, With a World-Class Orchestra Playing Along,” New York Times (May 9, 2008)
- The Associated Press, “Gabriel Byrne charms as Arthur in ‘Camelot’” Today (May 8, 2008
Websites
- IBDb, "Camelot," Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/camelot-4143
- Playbill, “Camelot,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/camelot-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011529
- Tams-Witmark Music Library, “Camelot,” Accessed via: http://www.tamswitmark.com/shows/lerner-and-loewes-camelot/
Written by Luisa Lyons (November, 2017)