One and One (musical)

One & One is an American 1970s ASCAP award-winning original off-Broadway musical comedy by Dianne Adams (music and lyrics), Fred Bennett (book), and Richard O'Donnell (book, music and lyrics).[1][2]

One & One
Off-Broadway Poster
CompanyBroadway-Times Theatre, Co.
GenreMusical Comedy
Show typeOpen-run
Date of premiereNovember 15, 1978
LocationThe Carter Theatre, 250 West 43rd Street
Creative team
ProducersBroadway-Times Theatre Company
DirectorJim Payne
Book byFred Bennett, Richard O'Donnell
Music & Lyrics byDianne Adams, Richard O'Donnell
Conceived byRichard O'Donnell
Musical StagingRoger Braun
Set DesignerBruce Monroe
Lighting DesignerLisa Grossman
Production Stage ManagerPeter Scheu
Prop MasterElizabeth Ferber
Musical DirectorDianne Adams
ArrangerDianne Adams
Other information
Awards3 ASCAP Awards

Production

One & One is a musical comedy that was produced by the Broadway-Times Theatre, Co.. Musical numbers were staged by Roger Braun, musical direction was by Dianne Adams, and the production was directed by Jim Payne. It opened November 15, 1978 at The Carter Theatre, 250 West 43rd Street in the heart of Times Square.[3]

One & One previewed in New York City at the Carter Theatre (formally the Bert Wheeler Theatre) for over six months before officially opening on November 15, 1978.[3][1] On opening night, Dianne Adams was 19, Richard O’Donnell was 22, and Fred Bennett was 24 years old.

One & One officially launched the Broadway-Times Theatre Company, dedicated to producing original musicals.[1]

Synopsis

One & One tells the story of a fading song and dance team Majeski & O’Reily that are forced to take on a woman partner to boost their notoriety. An old childhood friend, Julie Allyn, has blossomed into a talented beauty; they both fall in love with her with disastrous results. Through the decline of Vaudeville to the rise of the big Hollywood musicals, One & One is an homage to American entertainment with “...as good a score as any on Broadway today.”[4]

History

In 1976, while attending Mansfield University, Dianne Adams (music and lyrics), Fred Bennett (book), and Richard O’Donnell (book, music, and lyrics) met, all sharing their adoration for the bygone years of Vaudeville, Burlesque, and the great MGM musicals.[5]

In 1978, their musical comedy One & One was officially produced off-Broadway and went on to receive three ASCAP Special Awards in 1978 and one in 1979, under the category of musical theater.[5][6]

Broadway production

One & One was slated for Broadway, produced by Duff Boardman & Associates, Theatre Now, Inc., general managers; and budgeted at one million dollars. For the Broadway backers audition, unknown actor Nathan Lane recorded the role of Jeff O’Riely.[7] Tap legend Miriam Nelson was signed to direct and choreograph. Due to costs, the show never hit the Great White Way.[5]

Musical numbers

Roles and cast information

Notes and references
  1. Dietz, Dan (2010). Off Broadway Musicals, 1910-2007. McFarland and Co., Inc. p. 336. ISBN 978-0-7864-3399-5. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  2. "One & One". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Lucille Lortel Foundation.
  3. "Off-Broadway", New York Times Theatre Directory, November 15, 1978
  4. Buonarabo, Anthony (November 28, 1978), "One And One", Entertainment - East Coast Edition – Vol 1, No. 3
  5. "One & One - Trivia & History". Ovrtur. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  6. "'Kreepy Hollow' opens in Ogdensburg Thursday night". Watertown Daily Times. No. entertainment section. Watertown Daily Times. October 25, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  7. "One & One - Demos & Pre-Production Recordings". Ovrtur. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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