Swinging on a Star (musical)

Swinging on a Star is a musical revue, featuring the music of Johnny Burke, with the lyrics by Burke and the music by Burke and several of his partners, such as Erroll Garner and Jimmy Van Heusen. The name of the revue is from the Oscar-winning song that Burke wrote with Jimmy Van Heusen for the 1944 film Going My Way.

Swinging on a Star
MusicJohnny Burke
Various Artists
LyricsJohnny Burke
BookMichael Leeds
Productions1995 Broadway

Productions

Swinging on a Star premiered at the George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, New Jersey, on April 16, 1994, running to May 1994. The revue was conceived, written and directed by Michael Leeds, with costumes by Judy Dearing, sets by Deborah Jasien and choreography by Kathleen Marshall. The cast featured Michael McGrath, Alton Fitzgerald White, Kathy Fitzgerald and Lewis Cleale.[1][2][3]

The revue was next produced at the Goodspeed Opera House, Connecticut in 1995.[4][3]

The show opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on October 22, 1995[5][6] and closed on January 13, 1996 after 96 performances and 19 previews. Directed by Michael Leeds and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, it featured Michael McGrath, Teresa Burrell, Lewis Cleale, Denise Faye, Eugene Fleming, Kathy Fitzgerald, and Alvaleta Guess.[7][3]

Synopsis and songs

Each segment showed a different time and place.

Sources
"Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" (1996), Johnny Burke, Joe Bushkin, Michael Leeds, pp. 4 and 7, ISBN 0822215233; Guide to Musical Theatre;[8] IBDB.com[9]

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production
Year Award[7] Category Nominee Result
1996 Tony Award Best Musical[10] Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Lewis Cleale Nominated
Michael McGrath Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Kathy Fitzgerald Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Kathleen Marshall Nominated
Theatre World Award Michael McGrath Won

References
  1. Klein, Alvin. " Theater. 'Swinging on a Star' in World Premiere" The New York Times, May 1, 1994
  2. Daniels, Robert L. " 'Swinging on a Star' a Musical Celebration of Johnny Burke" Variety, May 9, 1994
  3. Dietz, Dan. Swinging on a Star, The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield, 2016, ISBN 1442272147, p. 212
  4. "Past Productions" goodspeed.org, retrieved January 3, 2018
  5. Brantley, Ben. "Theater Review. Tribute to a Jazz-Age Lyricist" The New York Times, October 23, 1995
  6. Gerard, Jeremy. "Reviews. 'Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" Variety, November 12, 1995
  7. " 'Swinging on a Star' Broadway" Playbill, retrieved January 3, 2018
  8. Swinging on a Star guidetomusicaltheatre.com, retrieved January 3, 2018
  9. " Swinging on a Star Songs" ibdb.com, retrieved January 3, 2018
  10. Viagas, Robert. "The 1996 Tony Award Nominations" Playbill, May 29, 1996
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