| Minnie's Boys | |
| Music: | Larry Grossman |
| Lyrics: | Hal Hackady |
| Productions: | 1970 Broadway 2008 Off-Broadway |
Minnie's Boys is a musical with a book by Arthur Marx (Groucho Marx's son) and Robert Fisher, music by Larry Grossman, and lyrics by Hal Hackady.
It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of the Marx Brothers and their relationship with their mother Minnie Marx, the driving force behind their ultimate success.
There was a long preview period lasting for sixty-four performances, during which the creators constantly tinkered with the troubled show. The original choreographer, Patricia Birch, was replaced and "...there were rumors about replacing Shelley Winters..." The musical had mixed to negative reviews, "although Walter Kerr...enjoyed it."[1]
The musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre officially on March 26, 1970 and closed on May 30, 1970 after 80 performances. The musical was directed by Stanley Prager and choreographed by Marc Breaux, with scenic design by Peter Wexler, costume design by Donald Brooks and lighting by Jules Fisher.[2] [3]
The cast featured Shelley Winters as Minnie Marx, Lewis J. Stadlen as Julius "Groucho" Marx, Daniel Fortus as Adolph "Harpo" Marx, Irwin Pearl as Leonard "Chico" Marx, Alvin Kupperman as Herbert "Zeppo" Marx, and Gary Raucher as Milton "Gummo" Marx.[2] [3] Stadlen won both the 1970 Theatre World Award and 1970 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical.[4]
The score's song "Mama, a Rainbow" has become a standard for cabaret performers,[5] and was recorded by Steve Lawrence and Jim Nabors soon after the show opened. In the show, the song is performed by Harpo, whose screen and stage persona was always silent.
An original cast album was released by Project Three Records, although the cast album was originally scheduled to be recorded and released by RCA Victor.[6]
Groucho Marx received a playbill credit as the show's advisor; after the show closed, it was revealed that Groucho had made no real contributions, and had basically been paid off so that he would not raise any legal objections to the production.
During its brief run, Groucho did help promote the musical by appearing on the Dick Cavett Show with Shelley Winters and the five young actors who portrayed the Marx boys in the show.[7]
The show received a 2008 revival staging under the direction of Stuart Ross at Off-Broadway's York Theatre Company. The cast included Erik Liberman, Pamela Myers, Jim Walton, Dan Bogart, Ryan Duncan, Nick Gaswirth, Beth Glover, Don Mayo, Nancy McCall, Emily Shoolin, Kelly Sullivan, and Stuart Zagnit.[8] [9]
| Character | Original Broadway Cast (1970) | Off-Broadway Revival (2008) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julius "Groucho" Marx | Lewis J. Stadlen | Erik Lieberman | |
| Leonard "Chico" Marx | Irwin Pearl | Ryan Duncan | |
| Adolph "Harpo" Marx | Daniel Fortus | Nick Gaswirth | |
| Herbert "Zeppo" Marx | Alvin Kupperman | Dan Bogart | |
| Milton "Gummo" Marx | Gary Raucher | ||
| Mrs. Flanagan | Jean Bruno | Beth Glover | |
| Mrs. Krupnik | Jacqueline Britt | Nancy McCall | |
| Minnie Marx | Shelley Winters | Pamela Myers | |
| Sam "Frenchie" Marx | Arny Freeman | Stuart Zagnit | |
| Hochmeister | Merwin Goldsmith | Don Mayo | |
| Al Shean | Mort Marshall | Jim Walton | |
| Maxie | Richard B. Shull | Don Mayo | |
| E.F. Albee | Roland Winters | Don Mayo | |
| Miss Murdock | Jacqueline Britt | Emily Shoolin | |
| Mrs. McNish | Julie Kurnitz | Beth Glover |