Notes
Sweet Charity—the story of a girl who wanted to be loved—was conceived as a contemporary fairy tale in 1966 by a team of geniuses: Bob Fosse, Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields and Neil Simon. They created it specifically for Fosse’s wife, the incomparable star Gwen Verdon, who made the musical into a hit.
Now retro, Sweet Charity is a snapshot of a very particular time and place: New York in the 1960s! Think women’s lib, hippies, flower power, the British Invasion (that would become The Beatles). Think miniskirts, tie-dye, group therapy and sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. All of them are hinted at, or explored, in this funny and little-bit-sad-and-dark musical.
Fifty years later, this piece still resonates. Not just because it has some of the best dance numbers ever. Not just because it has a few of the most recognizable Broadway songs ever. And not just because we’re able now to look back at the ‘60s with nostalgia. No, Sweet Charitysucceeds today because it’s mythic: it’s the story of a girl who wants to be loved; it’s the princess in search of her prince; it’s Scarlett and Rhett, Bogey and Bacall, Brad and Angelina; it’s the hope for a happy ending that can bring a smile to the most pessimistic of us.
Enjoy your evening with Charity Hope Valentine, the eternal optimist—enjoy your trip back in time. I know I’ve enjoyed the process with the cast we have. We’re always so fortunate here at PTC to get amazing actors, singers and dancers from around the U.S., but I have to pay special tribute here to this especially extraordinary cast of triple-threats led by the incredible Nancy Lemenager. It’s been an honor and a thrill to spend the last few weeks bringing this story to the stage with them.