| Triumph of Love | |
| Music: | Jeffrey Stock |
| Lyrics: | Susan Birkenhead |
| Basis: | 1732 Pierre de Marivaux commedia dell'arte play Le Triomphe de l'Amour |
| Productions: | 1997 Broadway |
Triumph of Love is a musical with a book by James Magruder, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by Jeffrey Stock. It is based on a play of the same name by the 19th-century French playwright Pierre de Marivaux.
Resembling a chamber musical more than a traditional book musical, it is based on the 1732 Pierre de Marivaux commedia dell'arte play Le Triomphe de l'Amour. The story centers on Spartan princess Léonide, whose love for Agis is complicated by the fact her throne was wrongfully wrested by her family from the object of her affection. Agis has been raised an educated man ruled by reason rather than passion by his uncle Hermocrates and his aunt Hesione. The princess, conspiring with her servant Corine, disguises herself as Phocion in order to infiltrate the guarded "men-only" palace compound occupied by Agis, who is plotting her assassination. Complications ensue when both Agis and Hermocrates separately guess her secret, and she tells the former she's Cécile, on the lam from an undesirable paramour, and to the latter claims to be Aspasie, who wishes to study philosophy with him. Adding to the convoluted plot are Hermocrates' valet Harlequin and gardener Dimas.
Triumph of Love opened on Broadway on October 23, 1997 at the Royale Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances and 30 previews.[1] The musical was directed by Michael Mayer and choreographed by Doug Varone.[1] Comedian Elayne Boosler had been announced to play Corine but dropped out during rehearsals due to creative differences.[2]
| Character | Broadway (1997)[3] | |
|---|---|---|
| Hesione | Betty Buckley | |
| Hermocrates | F. Murray Abraham | |
| Princess Leonide | Susan Egan | |
| Agis | Christopher Sieber | |
| Dimas | Kevin Chamberlin | |
| Corine | Nancy Opel | |
| Harlequin | Roger Bart |
Source:[4]
An original cast recording was released by Jay Records. As a bonus track, it included Buckley's cut solo from Act II, "If I Cannot Love."
The Variety reviewer called the musical "Modest in everything but talent and charm, this chamber-size comedy just might have the sass to take its place alongside the season’s big-budget lions."[5]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Betty Buckley | |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress Actress in a Musical | |||
| Outstanding Lyrics | Susan Birkenhead | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Catherine Zuber | |||
| Drama League Award | Distinguished Production of a Musical | |||