Boobs! The Musical
Encyclopedia
Boobs! The Musical: The World According to Ruth Wallis is a musical revue
with lyrics and music by 1950s and 1960s star Ruth Wallis
. Using 23 of Wallis' songs, Boobs! tells the story of Ruth Wallis' international career and struggles in performing her naughty songs. Boobs! The Musical opened at the Triad Theater
in New York City on May 19, 2003 to critical praise and eventually transferred to Dillon's Reprise Room
; by closing date it had played nearly 300 performances. It had subsequent long runs in New Orleans (2004) and Wichita
(2005). Lawrence Leritz
was producer and choreographer, Donna Drake, director. Also notable were the costumes by J. Kevin Draves and Robert Pease and set by Eric Harriz
. The book adaptation was written by Steve Mackes and Michael Whaley.
Boobs! originally had a workshop at The Pulse Ensemble Theatre on the Off Broadway 42nd Street
Theatre Row in Dec. 2000. Various notable cast members from the three New York productions included
J. Robert Spencer
, Jenny-Lynn Suckling, Robert Hunt
, Kristy Cates
, Clyde Alves
, Alena Watters, Brad Bradley and the New York theatre debut of Gennifer Flowers
.
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
with lyrics and music by 1950s and 1960s star Ruth Wallis
Ruth Wallis
Ruth Wallis was a novelty Popular cabaret singer.-Career:Born Ruth Shirley Wohl in Brooklyn, New York, Wallis began her career singing jazz and cabaret standards - with such bands like Isham Jones and Benny Goodman on road tours for a couple of months; but gained fame in the 1940s and 1950s for...
. Using 23 of Wallis' songs, Boobs! tells the story of Ruth Wallis' international career and struggles in performing her naughty songs. Boobs! The Musical opened at the Triad Theater
Triad Theater
The Triad Theatre, formerly known as Palsson's Supper Club and Steve McGraw's, is located on West 72nd Street on New York's Upper West Side...
in New York City on May 19, 2003 to critical praise and eventually transferred to Dillon's Reprise Room
Dillon's Reprise Room
Dillon's Reprise Room, is located on West 54th Street in Manhattan's Theater District. Over the years, Dillons has been home to successful musical runs of "Our Sinatra," "Water Coolers," and most recently "Boobs! The Musical," as well as some of cabaret's top performers.-References:Lortel Archives...
; by closing date it had played nearly 300 performances. It had subsequent long runs in New Orleans (2004) and Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
(2005). Lawrence Leritz
Lawrence Leritz
Lawrence Leritz is an American dancer, singer, actor, producer, fitness expert and choreographer.-Life and career:...
was producer and choreographer, Donna Drake, director. Also notable were the costumes by J. Kevin Draves and Robert Pease and set by Eric Harriz
Eric Harriz
J. Eric Harriz is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award winner for set designer of The City in 1996 and All My Children in 2000. Harriz also designed three productions of Boobs! The Musical: the workshop at The Pulse Theatre and the Off-Broadway hit productions at the Triad Theater and the transfer to...
. The book adaptation was written by Steve Mackes and Michael Whaley.
Boobs! originally had a workshop at The Pulse Ensemble Theatre on the Off Broadway 42nd Street
42nd Street (Manhattan)
42nd Street is a major crosstown street in the New York City borough of Manhattan, known for its theaters, especially near the intersection with Broadway at Times Square. It is also the name of the region of the theater district near that intersection...
Theatre Row in Dec. 2000. Various notable cast members from the three New York productions included
J. Robert Spencer
J. Robert Spencer
Robert John Spencer is an American actor and singer, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his work in the Broadway musical Next to Normal....
, Jenny-Lynn Suckling, Robert Hunt
Robert Hunt (actor)
Robert Hunt appeared in the 2008 production of Jerry Springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall and in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables as Javert. Off-Broadway, Hunt led the original cast of the hit Boobs! The Musical...
, Kristy Cates
Kristy Cates
Kristen "Kristy" Cates is an American actress and singer, best known for her role as Elphaba in the Chicago production of Wicked...
, Clyde Alves
Clyde Alves
Clyde Alves is a Canadian dancer, actor and singer. Clyde appeared on Broadway in The Music Man in the Susan Stroman revival as Tommy Djilas, winning the Fred Astaire Award for Best Male Dancer...
, Alena Watters, Brad Bradley and the New York theatre debut of Gennifer Flowers
Gennifer Flowers
Gennifer Flowers is a model and actress who allegedly had a sexual relationship with former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Prior to Bill Clinton's presidency, she also posed nude for Penthouse magazine and was an actress in two films and one TV show...
.
Musical Numbers Include
- Boobs!
- Boobies!
- The Dingy Song
- Man Of My Own
- All The Clowns
- Pizza Every Night
- Johnny's Yo Yo
- Ugly Man With Money
- I Know
- Love Is For The Birds
- Drill 'Em All
- Always Be A Bride
Awards and nominations
- 2004 Mac Awards Best Musical Revue (Lawrence Leritz, nominee)
- 2005 Big Easy Awards Best Musical (Lawrence Leritz, All Kinds of Theatre, nominees)
- 2005 Big Easy Awards Best Costumes (Winner, Cecile Casey Covert, based on original designs by Robert Pease and J. Kevin Draves)
- 2005 Big Easy Awards Best Musical Director (Harry Mayronne, nominee)
- 2005 Big Easy Awards Best Director (Carl Walker, nominee)
- 2005 Ambie Awards Best Ensemble Cast (Winners: Becky Allen, Maureen Brennan, Bob Edes, Jr., Ann Mahoney, Robert Thomas, Chris Wecklein)
- 2006 Teall Awards Best Musical (Lawrence Leritz, Cabaret Oldtown, nominees)
- 2006 Teall Awards Best Choreography (nominee, based on original choreography by Lawrence Leritz)