Over Here!

Over Here! is a musical with a score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and book by Will Holt. The original Broadway production was directed by Tom Moore and choreographed by Patricia Birch, with scenic design by Douglas W. Schmidt and costumes by Carrie F. Robbins.

Over Here!
Playbill for the Broadway production
MusicRichard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
LyricsRobert B. Sherman
Richard M. Sherman
BookWill Holt
Productions1974 Broadway

Over Here! was a follow-up to the Sherman brothers' World War II musical Victory Canteen, an off-Broadway production that featured 1940s icon Patty Andrews. The setting is a cross-country train trip in the United States during World War II (hence the name of the play, in contrast to the popular patriotic war anthem entitled Over There). The show begins as a nostalgic look at 1940s America (where fashion, music, big bands and swing dance dominates) but, quickly evolves into a social commentary about the fear of dying in battle, prejudice, and discrimination.

Production history

After thirteen previews, the show opened on March 6, 1974, at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 341 performances and became the top-grossing production of the 1974 Broadway season. It is largely credited as the Broadway musical which launched many careers.[1] The opening night cast included Patty and Maxene Andrews (of the Andrews Sisters) and newcomers John Travolta, Treat Williams, Marilu Henner, Samuel E. Wright, and Ann Reinking, all of whom went on to achieve successful careers. Despite still playing to capacity audiences, the show closed on January 4, 1975, under controversial conditions. "The producers blamed Patty and Maxine, claiming they wanted more money and made unreasonable demands, and cancelled the national tour. The Andrews sisters blamed the producers, claiming they had mismanaged the show from the beginning and were now using them as scapegoats."[2] According to an article in The New York Times, the tour was cancelled due to a "salary dispute" between the Andrews sisters and the producers.[3]

Radar online and the official site reported that Cody Linley would be starring in an all-new production of Over Here! set to launch early in 2010 at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills and an official website showed open auditions. In an interview, Linley confirmed that he would play the role of Bill.[4] The production has been postponed indefinitely.

The postponed 2010 production was an "all-new" production with a modified book by original playwright Will Holt, choreographed by Tony Stevens, designed by Royal Court designer Mark Walters with associate designer Christopher Hone and Costume Designer David Toser, featuring Music Supervision by David Barber. Dick Van Dyke had agreed to head an all-star cast; however, he was forced to withdraw days before the start date when his partner Michelle's illness became terminal. Unable to find an immediate replacement for Van Dyke at such short notice, the producers rescheduled the production to premiere in California in 2016, following which a US tour was planned. Neither came to fruition.

There was a 2019 Off-Broadway revival at the Triad Theatre in New York City starring Debbie Gravitte, Haley Swindal as Pauline, Jessica Hendy as Paulette, Nikka Graff Lanzarone as Mitzi, Mark William, Dani Apple, and Kristina Nicole Miller. The production was adapted into a 85-minute one act by director Will Nunziata, music director Blake Allen, and choreographer Andrew Black.[5] The revival featured all the music from the original Broadway production, albeit in a different order, except for "Don't Shoo the Hooey to Me, Louie". The third verse of "Star-Spangled Banner" was sung by Miller where in the original production, the anthem was spoken.

Song list

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production
Year Award Category Nominee Result
1974 Tony Award Best Musical Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Janie Sell Won
Best Direction of a Musical Tom Moore Nominated
Best Choreography Patricia Birch Nominated
Best Costume Design Carrie F. Robbins Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Set Design Douglas W. Schmidt Won
Outstanding Costume Design Carrie F. Robbins Won
Theatre World Award John Driver Won
Ann Reinking Won
Janie Sell Won

2019 Revival
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2020 BroadwayWorld Award Best Special Event Nominated
Best Director Will Nunziata Nominated
Best Musical Director Blake Allen Nominated
Best Vocalist Jessica Hendy Nominated

References
  1. Paddock, Terri (19 December 2006). "Sherman Bros' Over Here Confirms Delay". WhatsOnStage.
  2. Nimmo, Harry. The Andrews Sisters (2004), McFarland, ISBN 0-7864-1731-5, pp 366-371
  3. Calta, Louis (December 21, 1974). "Over Here! Tour is Off in Dispute". The New York Times. p. 18.
  4. Snider, Mike (February 4, 2010). "Cody Linley: Goodbye 'Hannah,' hello Broadway". USAWeekend.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
  5. Gans, Andrew (October 28, 2019). "Tony Winner Debbie Gravitte Joins Concert Presentation of Over Here!". Playbill.
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