Big Deal (musical)
Encyclopedia
Big Deal is a musical
with a book by Bob Fosse
using songs from various composers such as Ray Henderson
, Eubie Blake
, and Jerome Kern
. It was based on the film "Big Deal on Madonna Street" by Mario Monicelli
. The musical received five Tony Award
nominations, with Fosse winning for Choreography.
Big Deal opened on Broadway
at the Broadway Theatre
on April 10, 1986 and closed on June 8, 1986 after 69 performances and six previews. Directed and choreographed by Fosse, with Christopher Chadman
as assistant choreographer, the musical featured Cleavant Derricks
as Charley, Loretta Devine
as Lilly, Wayne Cilento
, Cady Huffman
, Valarie Pettiford
, and Stephanie Pope.
Act II
in his review for The New York Times
wrote: "Big Deal, the new Fosse musical at the Broadway, contains exactly one of those show stoppers, and attention must be paid. If only for 10 minutes or so just before the end of Act I, Mr. Fosse makes an audience remember what is (and has been) missing from virtually every other musical in town. The number is set to the old song Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar, and it unfolds in a Chicago ballroom of the 1930s called (need I tell you?) Paradise...The disappointment of Big Deal is that even Mr. Fosse, one of the form's last magicians, can conjure up that joy so rarely. There are some other pleasurable passages in this musical - period songs (or snatches of them) agreeably sung or danced by talented performers - but this is a mostly lackluster effort that often seems to be lumbering clumsily about."
Drama Desk Award
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with a book by Bob Fosse
Bob Fosse
Robert Louis “Bob” Fosse was an American actor, dancer, musical theater choreographer, director, screenwriter, film editor and film director. He won an unprecedented eight Tony Awards for choreography, as well as one for direction...
using songs from various composers such as Ray Henderson
Ray Henderson
Ray Henderson , was an American songwriter.Born Raymond Brost in Buffalo, New York, Henderson moved to New York City and became a popular composer in Tin Pan Alley...
, Eubie Blake
Eubie Blake
James Hubert Blake was an American composer, lyricist, and pianist of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1921, Blake and long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote the Broadway musical Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals to be written and directed by African Americans...
, and Jerome Kern
Jerome Kern
Jerome David Kern was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works, including such classics as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "A...
. It was based on the film "Big Deal on Madonna Street" by Mario Monicelli
Mario Monicelli
Mario Monicelli was an Italian director and screenwriter and one of the masters of the Commedia all'Italiana , three times nominated for Oscar.-Biography:...
. The musical received five Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations, with Fosse winning for Choreography.
Production and background
Fosse said that by using existing songs: "I can pick the perfect songs that will say the right things, and they're known. We'll have the greatest score in the world because they're all hit songs." Fosse said of the main character, Charlie: "That's my part! A swaggering bumbler who thinks he's a ladies' man, and he's not."Big Deal opened on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Broadway Theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
on April 10, 1986 and closed on June 8, 1986 after 69 performances and six previews. Directed and choreographed by Fosse, with Christopher Chadman
Christopher Chadman
Christopher Chadman was an American dancer and choreographer who was nominated for Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards and was the winner of the Fred Astaire Award for his choreography for the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls.Born in the Bronx, Chadman studied at the High School of...
as assistant choreographer, the musical featured Cleavant Derricks
Cleavant Derricks
Cleavant Derricks may refer to:* Cleavant Derricks , prolific songwriter known for many gospel music standards* Cleavant Derricks , stage and screen actor and musician, in Sliders and Dreamgirls, son of the above...
as Charley, Loretta Devine
Loretta Devine
Loretta Devine is an American stage, film and television actress known for her roles on Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, and Eli Stone. She also provided her voice for the stop motion animated television series The PJs. Devine is a NAACP Image Award and Emmy award winning actress.-Early life:Devine...
as Lilly, Wayne Cilento
Wayne Cilento
Wayne Louis Cilento is an American dancer and choreographer. He is best known for originating the role of "Mike" in the Broadway show A Chorus Line, and later becoming one of Broadway's most prolific choreographers.-Early life:...
, Cady Huffman
Cady Huffman
Catherine Elizabeth “Cady” Huffman is a Tony Award-winning American actress.-Early life:Huffman was born in Santa Barbara, California to Lorayne, a pre-school assistant director turned realtor, and Clifford Huffman, an attorney...
, Valarie Pettiford
Valarie Pettiford
Valarie Pettiford is an American stage and television actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She received a Tony nomination for her role in the broadway production Fosse. She is also known for her role as "Big Dee Dee" Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half.-Stage:Pettiford began her career as a dancer...
, and Stephanie Pope.
Songs
Act 1- Life Is Just a Bowl of CherriesLife Is Just a Bowl of Cherries"Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" is a popular song with music by Ray Henderson and lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown, published in 1931. The song was revived in 1953 by singer Jaye P...
– Lilly
(Music and lyrics by Lew BrownLew BrownLew Brown was a lyricist for popular songs in the United States.Brown was born as Louis Brownstein in Odessa, Russian Empire...
and Ray HendersonRay HendersonRay Henderson , was an American songwriter.Born Raymond Brost in Buffalo, New York, Henderson moved to New York City and became a popular composer in Tin Pan Alley...
) - For No Good Reason At All – Narrators
(Music and lyrics by Samuel M. Lewis, Abel Baer and Joseph Young) - Charley, My BoyCharley, My Boy"Charley, My Boy" is a song written by Gus Kahn and Ted Fiorito in 1924. The sheet music was published for voice and piano. The refrain is four lines, of which the first two are:...
– Charley
(Music and lyrics by Ted Fiorito and Gus KahnGus KahnGustav Gerson Kahn was a musician, songwriter and lyricist.-Biography:Kahn was born in Koblenz, Germany in 1886. The family emigrated from there to the United States and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890...
) - I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin' – Kokomo, Charley, Judge and Narrators
(Music and lyrics by Nacio Herb BrownNacio Herb BrownNacio Herb Brown was an American writer of popular songs, movie scores, and Broadway theatre music in the 1920s through the early 1950s.-Biography:...
and Arthur FreedArthur FreedArthur Freed was born Arthur Grossman in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a Jewish American lyricist and a Hollywood film producer.- Biography :Freed began his career as a song-plugger and pianist in Chicago...
) - Ain't We Got Fun?Ain't We Got Fun?"Ain't We Got Fun?" is a popular foxtrot published in 1921 with music by Richard A. Whiting, lyrics by Raymond B. Egan and Gus Kahn.It was first performed in 1920 in the revue Satires of 1920, then moved into vaudeville and recordings...
– Prisoners
(Lyrics by Kahn and Raymond B. EganRaymond B. EganRaymond Blanning Egan was a songwriter. He moved to the United States in 1892 and settled in Michigan where he attended the University of Michigan. His first job was a bank clerk, but he soon moved onto be a staff writer for Ginnells Music Co...
; music by Richard A. WhitingRichard A. WhitingRichard Armstrong Whiting was a composer of popular songs including the standards, "Hooray for Hollywood", "Ain't We Got Fun?" & "On the Good Ship Lollipop"....
) - For No Good Reason At All (Reprise) – Narrators and Dancers
(Music and lyrics by Lewis, Baer and Young) - Chicago – Narrators (Music and lyrics by Fred FisherFred FisherFred Fisher was a German-born American songwriter and Tin Pan Alley music publisher. Fisher founded Fred Fisher Music Publishing Company in 1907. He was born as Albert von Breitenbach in Cologne...
) - Pick Yourself UpPick Yourself Up"Pick Yourself Up" is a popular song composed in 1936 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. It has a verse and chorus, as well as a third section, though the third section is often omitted in recordings...
– Charley, Willie, Slick, Sunnyboy and Otis
(Lyrics By Dorothy FieldsDorothy FieldsDorothy Fields was an American librettist and lyricist.She wrote over 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films...
; music By Jerome KernJerome KernJerome David Kern was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works, including such classics as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "A...
) - I'm Just Wild About Harry – Lilly
(Music and lyrics by Eubie BlakeEubie BlakeJames Hubert Blake was an American composer, lyricist, and pianist of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1921, Blake and long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote the Broadway musical Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals to be written and directed by African Americans...
and Noble Sissle) - Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar – Bandleader, Band and Dancers
(Music and lyrics by Don Raye, Hughie Prince and Eleanor Sheehy) - The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round – Bandleader and Band
(Music and lyrics by Edward Farley, Red Hodgson and Michael Riley) - Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (Reprise) – Lilly
Act II
- Now's the Time to Fall in Love – Narrators and Dancers
(Music and lyrics by Al Sherman and Al Lewis) - Ain't She Sweet – Sunnyboy, Phoebe, Narrators and Dancers
(Lyrics by Jack YellenJack YellenJack Selig Yellen was an American lyricist and screenwriter.-Life and career:Born in Poland, Yellen emigrated with his family to the United States when he was five years old. The oldest of seven children, he was raised in Buffalo, New York and began writing songs in high school...
; music by Milton AgerMilton AgerMilton Ager was an American composer.Ager was born in Chicago, Illinois, the sixth of nine children. Leaving school with only three years of formal high-school education, he taught himself to play the piano and embarked on a career as a musician. After spending time as an accompanist to silent...
) - Everybody Loves My Baby – Willie and Narrators
(Music and lyrics by Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams) - Me and My Shadow – Dancin' Dan and Shadows
(Lyrics by Billy Rose, music by Al Jolson and Dave Dreyer) - Love Is Just Around the Corner – Narrators
(Lyrics by Leo Robin; music by Lewis E. Gensler)) - Just a Gigolo – Bandleader and Charley
(Julius Brammer and English lyrics by Irving Caesar; music by Lionello Casucci) - Who's Your Little Who-zis? – Bandleader and Band Singer
(Lyrics by Walter Hirsch; music by Hal Goering and Ben Bernie) - Yes Sir, That's My Baby – Charley
(Lyrics by Kahn; music By Walter Donaldson) - Button Up Your Overcoat – Lilly
(Music and lyrics by Henderson, Brown and Bud G. DeSylva) - Daddy, You've Been a Mother to Me – Willie and Little Willie
(Music and lyrics by Fred Fisher) - Hold Tight, Hold Tight – Otis and Ladies (Music and lyrics by Leonard Ware, Willie Spottswood, Edward Robinson, Ben Smith and Sidney Bechet)
- Happy Days Are Here Again – Slick, Phoebe, Sunnyboy and Company
(Lyrics by Jack YellenJack YellenJack Selig Yellen was an American lyricist and screenwriter.-Life and career:Born in Poland, Yellen emigrated with his family to the United States when he was five years old. The oldest of seven children, he was raised in Buffalo, New York and began writing songs in high school...
; music by Milton AgerMilton AgerMilton Ager was an American composer.Ager was born in Chicago, Illinois, the sixth of nine children. Leaving school with only three years of formal high-school education, he taught himself to play the piano and embarked on a career as a musician. After spending time as an accompanist to silent...
) - I'm Sitting On Top of the World – Charley and Company
(Music and lyrics by Henderson, Young and Samuel M. Lewis) - Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (Reprise) – Lilly
(Music and lyrics by Brown and Henderson)
Synopsis
In Chicago in the 1930s a group of small-time unemployed African-American men plan to rob a pawn shop. Their leader, Charlie, is a former boxer. But the hapless would-be thieves run into many obstacles along the way.Critical reception
Frank RichFrank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
in his review for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
wrote: "Big Deal, the new Fosse musical at the Broadway, contains exactly one of those show stoppers, and attention must be paid. If only for 10 minutes or so just before the end of Act I, Mr. Fosse makes an audience remember what is (and has been) missing from virtually every other musical in town. The number is set to the old song Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar, and it unfolds in a Chicago ballroom of the 1930s called (need I tell you?) Paradise...The disappointment of Big Deal is that even Mr. Fosse, one of the form's last magicians, can conjure up that joy so rarely. There are some other pleasurable passages in this musical - period songs (or snatches of them) agreeably sung or danced by talented performers - but this is a mostly lackluster effort that often seems to be lumbering clumsily about."
Awards and nominations
Tony AwardTony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
- Best Musical — Produced by The Shubert Organization (Gerald Schoenfeld: Chairman; Bernard B. Jacobs: President), Roger Berlind, Jerome Minskoff; Produced in association with Jonathan Farkas (nominee)
- Best Book of a Musical — Bob Fosse (nominee)
- Best Actor in a Musical — Cleavant Derricks (nominee)
- Best Choreography — Bob Fosse (winner)
- Best Direction of a Musical — Bob Fosse (nominee)
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
- Outstanding Musical — Produced by The Shubert Organization (Gerald Schoenfeld: Chairman; Bernard B. Jacobs: President), Roger Berlind, Jerome Minskoff; Produced in association with Jonathan Farkas (nominee)
- Outstanding Actor in a Musical — Cleavant Derricks (nominee)
- Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical — Desiree Coleman (nominee)
- Outstanding Choreography — Bob Fosse (winner)
- Outstanding Director of a Musical — Bob Fosse (nominee)