Johnny Guitar (musical)

Johnny Guitar is a 2004 stage musical with music by Martin Silvestri, lyrics by Joel Higgins, and a book by Nicholas van Hoogstraten.[1] The musical is based on the 1953 novel by Roy Chanslor, that also inspired the 1954 film which starred Joan Crawford in the lead role.[2]

Johnny Guitar
MusicMartin Silvestri
LyricsJoel Higgins
BookNicholas van Hoogstraten
BasisJohnny Guitar, 1953 novel and 1954 film
PremiereMarch 23, 2004:
Century Center For The Performing Arts
Productions2004 (Off-Broadway)

Synopsis

The musical is set in a small town in the New Mexico mountains circa 1885. The story centers on Vienna, a sultry saloonkeeper who built a booming business on her back. Though Vienna is the ultimate ‘bad girl gone good,’ her nemesis, the pent-up Emma, sees things differently. A domineering cattle baroness, Emma controls the town with an iron fist but loses her grip when she falls for the dangerously hot-headed Dancin’ Kid. By the time Johnny Guitar, a tall manly stranger with a secret past rides into town, the stage is set for an epic showdown, unlike anything the Old West or Off-Broadway has ever seen.[3]

Original cast and characters
Character Off-Broadway 2004 [4]
Vienna Judy McLane
Emma Small Ann Crumb
Johnny Guitar Steve Blanchard
The Dancin' Kid Robert Evan
John McIvers Ed Sala
Turkey Ralston Robb Sapp
Bart Lonergan / Old Tom David Sinkus
Eddie Jason Edwards

Musical numbers
  • "Johnny Guitar" –
  • "Let It Spin" –
  • "Branded a Tramp" –
  • "Old Santa Fe" -
  • "What's In It For Me?" –
  • "Who Do They Think They Are?" –
  • "Welcome Home" –
  • "Tell Me a Lie" –
  • "The Gunfighter" –
  • "We've Had Our Moments" –
  • "Bad Blood" –

An original cast album was released in 2004.[5]

Productions

The original production started previews on March 9, 2004, at the Century City Center for the Performing Arts. A previous workshop was done in 2002 with Michele Pawk and Joanna Glushak.[6]

The original production was well received by critics, and nominated for several awards including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, and The Drama League Award for Best Musical. McClane was also nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. The show won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical[7][8]

The musical has been staged around the world by regional theatres and schools. It was produced by Boston Center for the Arts in Boston in 2004.[9] In 2006, a production premiered in Southern California at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.[10]

References
  1. Playbill.Com Johnny Guitar Opens accessed 7-30-23
  2. Utah Shakes About the Playwrights accessed 07-30-23
  3. Concord Theatricals Johnny Guitar accessed 07-30-23
  4. Off Broadway Listing accessed 07-30-23
  5. Amazon Cast Album Listing accessed 7-30-23
  6. Playbill Johnny Guitar Reading accessed 07-30-23
  7. Playbill.Com Johnny Guitar Will Pack Up accessed 07-30-23
  8. CurtainUp Review Johnny Guitar accessed 07-3023
  9. Johnny Guitar Boston Review accessed 07-30-23
  10. OC Register Johnny Guitar accessed 07-30-23
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