Broadway's Astonishing Never-to-Be-Forgotten 1963-1964 Season

The 1963-1964 Broadway season was one of the most astonishing and never-to-be-forgotten in history. With a record-breaking number of hit shows, including "Hello, Dolly!" and "Funny Girl," the season captivated audiences and critics alike.

The Great Parade: Broadway's Astonishing, Never-to-Be-Forgotten 1963-1964 Season

by Peter Filichia

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2769 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	179 pages
Item Weight	:	6.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.25 x 0.41 x 8 inches

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The season kicked off with a bang in September 1963 with the opening of "Hello, Dolly!" starring Carol Channing. The show was an instant smash hit, and it went on to win a record-breaking 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Channing's performance as the irrepressible Dolly Levi was legendary, and she became one of the most iconic Broadway stars of all time.

Another highlight of the season was the opening of "Funny Girl" in March 1964. The show starred Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice, and it was a major breakout role for the young actress. Streisand's performance was electrifying, and she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. "Funny Girl" also won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and it went on to become one of the most successful musicals of all time.

In addition to "Hello, Dolly!" and "Funny Girl," the 1963-1964 season also saw the opening of several other hit shows, including "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon and "Luv" by Murray Schisgal. These shows were all critical and commercial successes, and they helped to make the season one of the most memorable in Broadway history.

The 1963-1964 Broadway season was a time of great creativity and innovation. The shows that opened during this season were all groundbreaking in their own way, and they helped to shape the future of musical theater. The season also launched the careers of some of the most iconic stars of Broadway, including Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Simon.

Here is a more detailed look at some of the hit shows of the 1963-1964 Broadway season:

Hello, Dolly!

"Hello, Dolly!" is a musical comedy with a book by Michael Stewart, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, and choreography by Gower Champion. The show is based on the 1955 play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder.

The story follows Dolly Levi, a widowed matchmaker who travels to New York City to find a new husband for Horace Vandergelder, a wealthy but stingy feed merchant. Dolly's meddling leads to a series of hilarious mishaps, but in the end, she finds love for herself.

"Hello, Dolly!" was a critical and commercial smash hit. It ran for over two years on Broadway and won a record-breaking 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show has since been revived several times, and it remains one of the most popular musicals of all time.

Funny Girl

"Funny Girl" is a musical comedy with a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The show is based on the life of Fanny Brice, a vaudeville and Broadway star.

The story follows Fanny from her humble beginnings as a chorus girl to her rise to stardom on Broadway. The show features some of Fanny's most famous songs, including "People," "Don't Rain on My Parade," and "My Man."

"Funny Girl" was a critical and commercial success. It ran for over two years on Broadway and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The show has since been revived several times, and it remains one of the most popular musicals of all time.

The Odd Couple

"The Odd Couple" is a comedy play by Neil Simon. The play tells the story of two divorced men, Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, who decide to live together in an apartment in New York City.

Felix is a neat freak and a compulsive cleaner, while Oscar is a slob and a gambler. Their different personalities lead to a series of hilarious misadventures.

"The Odd Couple" was a critical and commercial success. It ran for over two years on Broadway and won the Tony Award for Best Play. The play has since been adapted into a film, a television series, and a musical.

Luv

"Luv" is a comedy play by Murray Schisgal. The play tells the story of two friends, Harry Berlin and Milt Manville, who meet in a park and decide to trade wives.

The play is a hilarious exploration of love, marriage, and friendship. It was a critical and commercial success, and it ran for over a year on Broadway.

The 1963-1964 Broadway season was a truly golden age for musical theater. The shows that opened during this season were all groundbreaking in their own way, and they helped to shape the future of musical theater. The season also launched the careers of some of the most iconic stars of Broadway, including Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Simon.

If you have the chance to see any of the shows from the 1963-1964 Broadway season, I highly recommend it. You will be treated to a night of unforgettable theater.

The Great Parade: Broadway's Astonishing, Never-to-Be-Forgotten 1963-1964 Season

by Peter Filichia

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2769 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	179 pages
Item Weight	:	6.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.25 x 0.41 x 8 inches

FREE