Georgy is a musical with a book by Tom Mankiewicz, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager (listed as 'Carole Bayer'), and music by George Fischoff. The story is based on the Margaret Forster novel Georgy Girl and the subsequent 1966 film adaptation,
Synopsis The show tells the story of awkward, overweight, dowdy music teacher Georgy; her beautiful, self-centered roommate Meredith; Meredith's ne'er-do-well boyfriend Jos; and widower James Leamington, Georgy's father's wealthy employer, who has a lustful eye on the full-figured girl. When Meredith becomes pregnant, an overjoyed Georgy prepares for the blessed event, and soon after finds herself the baby's caregiver when the irresponsible Meredith disappears with a new beau. Georgy and Jos settle into an unlikely relationship threatened by his need to be independent, ultimately forcing Georgy to make a decision based on what's best for the child rather than her own needs and desires.
Production During tryouts, producer Fred Coe hired Peter Stone to improve the script.Tom Mankiewicz and Robert Crane, My Life as a Mankiewicz, University Press of Kentucky 2012 p 98 The Broadway production was directed by Peter H. Hunt and choreographed by Howard Jeffrey. After seven previews, the show opened on February 26, 1970 at the Winter Garden Theatre, and closed after four performances. The cast included Dilys Watling as Georgy and John Castle as Jos, with Melissa Hart as Meredith and Stephen Elliott as James." 'Georgy' Broadway". Playbill (vault), accessed October 16, 2016
The critical consensus was that the intimate story did not lend itself to a large production with singing ensemble and dance routines, the score included nothing close to matching the film's bouncy title tune, and Watling was neither plain enough nor as vivacious as Lynn Redgrave, who had portrayed Georgy in the film, to do the character justice.
Watling was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (competing with Lauren Bacall for Applause and Katharine Hepburn for Coco), and Hart was nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Original cast and characters CharacterBroadway (1970)Playbill 1970 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/07/2023Georgina "Georgy" ParkinDilys WatlingMeredith MontgomeryMelissa HartJames LeamingtonStephen ElliottTed ParkinLouis BeachnerJos JonesJohn CastlePegHelena CarrollPeterRichard QuarryHealth OfficerCynthia Latham
Song list
Act I Howdjadoo - Georgy & Children Make It Happen Now - Georgy Ol' Pease Puddin' - Jos & Georgy Just for the Ride - Meredith and Men So What? - Georgy Georgy - James A Baby / Howdjadoo (Reprise) - Georgy, Meredith, Jos That's How It Is - Georgy, James There's a Comin' Together - Jos, Georgy, Chorus
Act II Something Special - Georgy, Jos Half of Me - Georgy Gettin' Back to Me - Meredith Sweet Memory - Ted, James, Chorus Georgy (Reprise) - James Life's A Holiday - Jos, Georgy Make It Happen Now (Reprise) - Georgy There's a Comin' Together (Reprise) - Company
Awards and nominations Original Broadway production Year Award Category Nominee Result 1970 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical Dilys Watling Best Featured Actress in a Musical Melissa Hart
References
Ken Mandelbaum Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops, St. Martin's Press (1991), page 169 ()
External links