| CAST | PRODUCTION CREW | Opened: February 13, 1983 CAST
| SYNOPSIS | SONGS | AWARDS | PHOTO
Mark Hellinger Theatre
Closed: August 7, 1983
199 peformances
(69 Previews)
George Lee Andrews (Old Merlin/Old Soldier)
Christian Slater (Young Merlin/Arthur)
Edmund Lyndeck (The Wizard)
Doug Henning (Merlin)
Rebecca Wright (Philomena)
Chita Rivera (The Queen)
Gregory Mitchell (The Queen's Companion)
Nathan Lane (Prince Fergus)
Debby Henning (Merlin's Vision/Water)
Michelle Nicastro (Ariandne)
Alan Brasington (Acolyte/Manservant)
Peggy Parten (Earth)
Robyn Lee (Air)
Spence Ford (Fire)
Ensemble:
Robin Cleaver
Spence Ford
Pat Gorman
Andrea Handler
Debby Henning
Leslie Hicks
Sandy Laufer
Robyn Lee
Peggy Parten
Iris Revson
Claudia Shell
David Asher
Roman Galindo
Todd Lester
Joe Locarro
Fred C. Mann III
Gregory Mitchell
Andrew Hill Newman
Eric Roach
Robert Tanna
Robert Warners
PRODUCTION CREW
Richard Levinson & William Link (Book)
Elmer Bernstein (Music)
Don Black (Lyrics)
Doug Henning (Magic Illusions)
Ivan Reitman (Director)
Christopher Chadman & Billy Wilson (Choreography)
Robin Wagner (Scenery)
Theoni V. Aldredge (Costumes)
Tharon Musser (Lighting)
Abe Jacob (Sound)
Larry Wilcox (Orchestrations)
Producers:
Ivan Reitman
Columbia Pictures Stage Productions
Marvin A. Krauss
Manes M. Nederlander
Part magic show, part musical, this show had a decent run, but is not considered a hit by many (it did set the one-week box office record at the Mark Hellinger Theatre). If you are a Doug Henning fan, you missed a classic. If not, you missed Chita Rivera, Edmund Lyndeck, a young Christian Slater, and a fine comedic performance by a young Nathan Lane.
Fortunately, Henning didn't sing (isn't his speaking voice enough?).
The story takes place in "the time of Sorcery". The Wizard must assure that young Arthur becomes king. The ever-ambitious Queen is determined to see to it that her son, Prince Fergus becomes king. Prince Fergus is more interested in being a playboy (yes a playboy). Young Merlin, Old Merlin, and a lot of magic come in somewhere.
Ivan Reitman was already an active producer/director with films like Meatballs, Animal House, and Stripes. He has continued to be a very successful Hollywood player.
(Also see VJ's First Person Account)
SONGS
* denotes Nathan's character's songs
Act I
It's About Magic
He Who Knows the Way
It's About Power
Anything for a Quiet Life*
Something More
I Can Make It Happen
Beyond My Wildest Dreams
Something More (reprise
The Elements
Something About Palaces*
Satan Rules
Act II
These Are Not the Merriest of Days
I Can Make It Happen (reprise)
He Who Knows the Way (reprise)
We Haven't Fought a Battle in Years*
Nobody Will Remember You
He Who Knows the Way
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