Little Me (musical)
Little Me is a musical written by Neil Simon, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. The original 1962 Broadway production featured Sid Caesar in multiple roles with multiple stage accents, playing all of the heroine's husbands and lovers. One of the better-known songs from the musical is "I've Got Your Number".
Little Me
1962 Broadway
1964 West End
1982 Broadway revival
1984 West End
1998 Broadway revival
2014 City Center Encores!
Background[edit]
The musical Little Me is based on the novel by Patrick Dennis titled Little Me: The Intimate Memoirs of that Great Star of Stage, Screen and Television/Belle Poitrine, an illustrated autobiography of an imaginary diva (published in 1961). In his memoir Rewrites: A Memoir, Neil Simon wrote that aside from tailoring the musical's book to the talents of Sid Caesar, the second attraction of the project was a chance to work with choreographer Bob Fosse. "With the exception of Jerome Robbins, for my money Fosse was the best choreographer who ever worked in the theater."[1] (Simon and Caesar had worked together on the television variety program Your Show of Shows.)
Productions[edit]
Little Me opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 17, 1962 and closed on June 27, 1963, running for 257 performances. Directed by Cy Feuer and Bob Fosse with choreography by Fosse, Sid Caesar starred playing multiple roles, with Virginia Martin as Young Belle and Nancy Andrews as Old Belle. Barbara Sharma was a featured dancer in the show.
The London production opened at the Cambridge Theatre on November 18, 1964 and ran for 334 performances. Bruce Forsyth and Eileen Gourlay starred.
The 1982 revival at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre opened on January 21, 1982 and closed on February 21, 1982 after 30 previews and 36 performances. The multiple Caesar roles were split between Victor Garber and James Coco. The director was Robert Drivas and choreographer was Peter Gennaro, with Mary Gordon Murray as Belle; Bebe Neuwirth was in the ensemble.
Little Me was revived on the West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre, opening on May 30, 1984 and running for 409 performances. Russ Abbot and Sheila White starred.
Little Me was revived on Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company at the Criterion Center Stage Right as a vehicle for Martin Short, opening on November 12, 1998 and closing on February 7, 1999 after 99 performances and 43 previews. With direction and choreography by Rob Marshall, Faith Prince played the combined roles of Old and Young Belle. According to Rob Marshall: "Without Marty, we wouldn't do it. And we're fortunate that we still have Neil and Cy with us, and they'll be working with us and tailoring it for Marty."[2]
Little Me ran in its original form with 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco in 2013, directed by Eric Inman and with choreography by Staci Arriaga.[3] Lead actor Jason Graae was described as "stepping into the roles previously inhabited by two of the most versatile entertainers in Broadway and Hollywood history" and as having "boundless energy and a staggering level of comedic talent."[3] In the same year, the play ran at the Rose and Crown Theatre, London. The musical was directed by Brendan Matthew, with choreography by Chris Whittaker and design by Chris Hone.[4]
The New York City Center Encores! staged concert runs from February 5, 2014 to February 9, 2014, starring Christian Borle, Rachel York as Belle, Judy Kaye as Older Belle, and Harriet Harris as Mrs. Eggleston. The production is directed by John Rando with choreography by Joshua Bergasse.[5]
Porchlight Music Theatre presented Little Me as a part of its "Porchlight Revisits" season in which they stage three forgotten musicals per year. It was in Chicago, Illinois in March 2017. It was directed by Artistic Director Michael Weber. [6]
The Men in Belle's Life (Typically all played by the same actor)
Note: Some productions have given the lead actor the roles of Patrick Dennis and George Musgrove.
Recordings[edit]
The Original Broadway Cast Recording (1962) was released on RCA in 1962; a CD was released on March 9, 1993. A London Cast recording (1964 cast) was released by Drg on July 27, 1993. The New Broadway Cast Recording of the 1998 revival was released by Varèse Sarabande on March 9, 1999.