Smile (musical)
Encyclopedia
Smile is a musical
with music by Marvin Hamlisch
and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman
. It was originally produced on Broadway
in 1986. The musical is based loosely on a 1975 film of the same title
, from a screenplay
by Jerry Belson
.
and closed on January 3, 1987 after 48 performances. It was directed by Ashman with musical staging by Mary Kyte. It received a Tony Award
nomination for Best Book of a Musical as well as Drama Desk Award
nominations for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Michael O'Gorman) and Outstanding Costume Design (William Ivy Long).
Smile chronicles the backstage troubles of the fictional 1985 California Young American Miss beauty pageant held in Santa Rosa, California
. The main characters include Robin Gibson and Doria Hudson, two contestants who befriend and help each other throughout the week; Brenda DiCarlo Freelander, an ex-Young American Miss second-runner-up coordinating the pageant; and Brenda's husband Big Bob, an RV Salesman trying to help her through the week.
Smile is considered a "lost" musical because no official cast recording was ever made. However, there does exist a demo CD which is a primary source for groups performing the show. Some of the songs from the show, "Disneyland," "Smile," and "In Our Hands," have been released commercially in compilations of songs from little-known musicals. In November 2008, the record label PS Classics
rectified this loss, releasing the album Howard Sings Ashman. The second disc comprised completely of songs from Smile, sung by Ashman with Hamlisch at the piano. They also put a transcript of a taped conversation between Ashman, Hamlisch and Bob Fosse discussing the development of the musical on their website.
Many of the small lyric changes to the licensed version actually originated before the Broadway production. When reading Lincoln Center's photocopy of the Broadway rehearsal script to Smile, many of the licensed lyrics are printed but scratched out and replaced with what was sung at the Lunt-Fontanne, handwritten.
An hour-long recording of the licensed version was made for Samuel French (the licensing agent) to distribute to groups interested in performing Smile. It uses many of the original Broadway cast, including Marsha Waterbury, Jodi Benson, Anne Marie Bobby, Tia Riebling and Dick Patterson. Director and author Howard Ashman played the role of Big Bob in Jeff McCarthy's absence. This recording is often referred to incorrectly as an unreleased cast recording when it is in fact a demo.
A private "industry" reading was scheduled for November 19, 2010, reflecting the revisions.
A production of Smile was presented by Awkward Stage Productions in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Awkward Stage's production featured all the adult characters being played by puppets (a la "Avenue Q
" style puppetry).
Awkward Stage Productions version of Smile, was presented at the Firehall Arts Centre as part of the Vancouver International Fringe Festival
Sept. 8-18 2011. As well as at the Norman Rothstein Theatre in Vancouver, BC. Canada, October 26–30 2011.
Smile opens with all the contestants packing to leave for Santa Rosa, where the pageant is held (Typical High School Senior). At orientation, Brenda tells the girls what to expect during the upcoming week (The Very Best Week of Your Lives). The story switches over to the dorms where we meet Maria and Shawn, and Doria and Robin. Doria explains to Robin about the pageant and what happens while Robin writes a postcard to her Mom (Dear Mom #1). Doria then remembers seeing her first pageant in Disneyland and how one day she'll be there (Disneyland).
We then meet Little Bob Freelander, who wants to sneak into the dorms and take pictures of the girls while they're in the showers. The next day, the girls begin learning their dance routines under Tommy French (Shine). This song follows the typical day before the pageant. The girls learn to dance, while Brenda takes a few girls to speak at luncheons for the Elks, Lions Club, and Rotarians. At the end of the day, Brenda is determined to do better than she did eighteen years ago, and have everything go perfect; the girls have finally gotten a hold of the dance.
Robin, who has no experience in pageants, is worn out and wants to leave (Dear Mom #2). Meanwhile, Shawn has become angry that the judges like Maria's talent of cooking. Shawn wants to have Maria taken out of competition. The scene changes to Big Bob talking to the other judges. He warns them to look beyond the appearance of the girls and look at their hearts, and how the world never does this. (Bob's Song). Freddy and Little Bob are seen sneaking around that night. They plan on getting pictures of the girls that night. The scene changes to the next morning. Brenda is giving the girls their daily schedule, while they recover from the previous workout. (Nerves). The girls rehearse for their preliminary night, and Heidi falls. Preliminary night begins with three categories: Vim and Vigor, Scholastic Achievement, and Creative Talent. (Young and American). Sandra-Kay Macaffee, Robin Gibson, and Maria Gonzales win respectively in each category.
The girls return to their dorms and Doria talks to Robin about what she's doing wrong. Everyone then talks about their anxiousness for the final night. (Until tomorrow night). Meanwhile, Shawn catches Little Bob and Freddie and uses them to her advantage against Maria.
Act 2
(opening act 2). Robin writes a third letter to her mom. Brenda talks about how this year is going to be the best year. The girls are still freaking out. Brenda then introduces Ted Farley who will be the MC of the event. The girls then prepare for the final night. Ted Farley opens with a song to begin the event. (Smile). After Ted announces the previous winner, the girls also come on stage performing and also singing the song Smile. Pictures of the girls appear later in the song, ending with the nude picture of Maria taken by Little Bob that Shawn put into the slideshow. Maria runs off in horror. Ted Farley is talking to the crowd as Brenda and Maria talk about what just happened. Maria runs off soon after.
Dale Wilson-Shears, the National Chairman, confronts Brenda about the catastrophe on stage. Brenda comes up with a plan to fix everything that just happened and gives a long, heartfelt speech on the importance of the pageant. She hands Ted the envelope that now contains only 4 girls names as opposed to the original 5. Ted announces the finalists: Shawn, Sandra-Kay, Robin, and Doria. There is much relief as Brenda had just saved the pageant. Bob talks to Brenda about how the judges don't want to choose a winner because of what happened and Brenda basically fires Bob in order to pick a winner. The 4 Finalists then give their final remarks before the winner is announced. (In Our Hands). Big Bob finds out that his son is the one who took that picture. Ted and Joanne go onstage to announce the winner of the pageant. It is announced that Doria Hudson is the runner-up. The big moment arrives and Sandra-Kay MacAffee is the winner of the pageant. (There goes the Girl). Ted closes the pageant when the song is over.
Dale congratulates Brenda on saving the pageant and offers her a spot on the National Committee. Brenda tries to reconcile with Bob to no avail. Bob tries to figure out how to deal with his wife and his son now. Doria tries to convince Robin to join her in the Miss Sunbelt Pageant. Robin ultimately decides to go home. Doria seeing this sings about Disneyland one final time. (Closing song/Disneyland).
Act II
was directed by Michael Ritchie
with a screenplay by Jerry Belson. It starred Barbara Feldon as Brenda DiCarlo, Nicholas Pryer as Andy DiCarlo (Brenda's husband in the film), Bruce Dern
as Big Bob Freelander, Geoffrey Lewis as Wilson Shears, Joan Prather as Robin Gibson, Annette O'Toole
as Doria Hudson, Melanie Griffith
as Karen Love, and choreographer Michael Kidd
as Tommy French. The movie was filmed on location in Santa Rosa, California
with the pageant festivities at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium.
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 music by Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman
Howard Ashman
Howard Elliott Ashman was an American playwright and lyricist. Ashman first studied at Boston University and Goddard College and then went on to achieve his master's degree from Indiana University in 1974...
. It was originally produced 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...
in 1986. The musical is based loosely on a 1975 film of the same title
Smile (1975 film)
Smile is a 1975 film directed by American director Michael Ritchie, with a screenplay by Jerry Belson, about a beauty pageant in Santa Rosa, California. It stars Bruce Dern and Barbara Feldon and introduced a number of young actresses who later went on to greater success and recognition, such as...
, from a screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
by Jerry Belson
Jerry Belson
Jerry Belson was a writer, director, and producer of Hollywood films for over forty years.Belson's writing credits include the Steven Spielberg films Always and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, several episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and I Spy...
.
Production
The original production opened on Broadway on November 24, 1986 at the Lunt-Fontanne TheatreLunt-Fontanne Theatre
The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 205 West 46th Street in midtown-Manhattan.Designed by the architectural firm of Carrere and Hastings, it was built by producer Charles Dillingham and opened as the Globe Theatre, in honor of London's Shakespearean playhouse, on...
and closed on January 3, 1987 after 48 performances. It was directed by Ashman with musical staging by Mary Kyte. It received a 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...
nomination for Best Book of a Musical as well as 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...
nominations for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Michael O'Gorman) and Outstanding Costume Design (William Ivy Long).
Smile chronicles the backstage troubles of the fictional 1985 California Young American Miss beauty pageant held in Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
. The main characters include Robin Gibson and Doria Hudson, two contestants who befriend and help each other throughout the week; Brenda DiCarlo Freelander, an ex-Young American Miss second-runner-up coordinating the pageant; and Brenda's husband Big Bob, an RV Salesman trying to help her through the week.
Smile is considered a "lost" musical because no official cast recording was ever made. However, there does exist a demo CD which is a primary source for groups performing the show. Some of the songs from the show, "Disneyland," "Smile," and "In Our Hands," have been released commercially in compilations of songs from little-known musicals. In November 2008, the record label PS Classics
PS Classics
PS Classics is a record label that specializes in musical theatre and standard vocals. Founded in 2000 by Grammy-nominated freelance producer Tommy Krasker and singer/actor Philip Chaffin, their releases have been critically acclaimed for their meticulous sonic detail and high-quality packaging and...
rectified this loss, releasing the album Howard Sings Ashman. The second disc comprised completely of songs from Smile, sung by Ashman with Hamlisch at the piano. They also put a transcript of a taped conversation between Ashman, Hamlisch and Bob Fosse discussing the development of the musical on their website.
Subsequent activity
After the Broadway production of Smile flopped, Ashman and Hamlisch revised the show for stock productions. Book changes include the change of Shawn's roommate from Connie-Sue to Maria, and the addition of some material for Bob. The score was further revised, gaining a completely re-structured opening number (though retaining most of the original melody and words), a new song for Brenda ("Very Best Week of Your Lives") that completely replaced the Orientation Sequence musically, a new song for Bob (Bob's Song), a new number for the winner of the pageant (There Goes the Girl) and a completely new melody and lyric set for Robin's letters home and a slight decrease in the time given to them. The ending was also re-worked giving Bob a significant musical section new to the revised version.Many of the small lyric changes to the licensed version actually originated before the Broadway production. When reading Lincoln Center's photocopy of the Broadway rehearsal script to Smile, many of the licensed lyrics are printed but scratched out and replaced with what was sung at the Lunt-Fontanne, handwritten.
An hour-long recording of the licensed version was made for Samuel French (the licensing agent) to distribute to groups interested in performing Smile. It uses many of the original Broadway cast, including Marsha Waterbury, Jodi Benson, Anne Marie Bobby, Tia Riebling and Dick Patterson. Director and author Howard Ashman played the role of Big Bob in Jeff McCarthy's absence. This recording is often referred to incorrectly as an unreleased cast recording when it is in fact a demo.
A private "industry" reading was scheduled for November 19, 2010, reflecting the revisions.
A production of Smile was presented by Awkward Stage Productions in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Awkward Stage's production featured all the adult characters being played by puppets (a la "Avenue Q
Avenue Q
Avenue Q is a musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty and the show was directed by Jason Moore and produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, and Jeffrey Seller...
" style puppetry).
Awkward Stage Productions version of Smile, was presented at the Firehall Arts Centre as part of the Vancouver International Fringe Festival
Vancouver Fringe Festival
The Vancouver Fringe Festival is an annual alternative theatre festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada established in 1985. This event is organized and sponsored by the First Vancouver Theatrespace Society, a volunteer not-for-profit society...
Sept. 8-18 2011. As well as at the Norman Rothstein Theatre in Vancouver, BC. Canada, October 26–30 2011.
Story
Act 1Smile opens with all the contestants packing to leave for Santa Rosa, where the pageant is held (Typical High School Senior). At orientation, Brenda tells the girls what to expect during the upcoming week (The Very Best Week of Your Lives). The story switches over to the dorms where we meet Maria and Shawn, and Doria and Robin. Doria explains to Robin about the pageant and what happens while Robin writes a postcard to her Mom (Dear Mom #1). Doria then remembers seeing her first pageant in Disneyland and how one day she'll be there (Disneyland).
We then meet Little Bob Freelander, who wants to sneak into the dorms and take pictures of the girls while they're in the showers. The next day, the girls begin learning their dance routines under Tommy French (Shine). This song follows the typical day before the pageant. The girls learn to dance, while Brenda takes a few girls to speak at luncheons for the Elks, Lions Club, and Rotarians. At the end of the day, Brenda is determined to do better than she did eighteen years ago, and have everything go perfect; the girls have finally gotten a hold of the dance.
Robin, who has no experience in pageants, is worn out and wants to leave (Dear Mom #2). Meanwhile, Shawn has become angry that the judges like Maria's talent of cooking. Shawn wants to have Maria taken out of competition. The scene changes to Big Bob talking to the other judges. He warns them to look beyond the appearance of the girls and look at their hearts, and how the world never does this. (Bob's Song). Freddy and Little Bob are seen sneaking around that night. They plan on getting pictures of the girls that night. The scene changes to the next morning. Brenda is giving the girls their daily schedule, while they recover from the previous workout. (Nerves). The girls rehearse for their preliminary night, and Heidi falls. Preliminary night begins with three categories: Vim and Vigor, Scholastic Achievement, and Creative Talent. (Young and American). Sandra-Kay Macaffee, Robin Gibson, and Maria Gonzales win respectively in each category.
The girls return to their dorms and Doria talks to Robin about what she's doing wrong. Everyone then talks about their anxiousness for the final night. (Until tomorrow night). Meanwhile, Shawn catches Little Bob and Freddie and uses them to her advantage against Maria.
Act 2
(opening act 2). Robin writes a third letter to her mom. Brenda talks about how this year is going to be the best year. The girls are still freaking out. Brenda then introduces Ted Farley who will be the MC of the event. The girls then prepare for the final night. Ted Farley opens with a song to begin the event. (Smile). After Ted announces the previous winner, the girls also come on stage performing and also singing the song Smile. Pictures of the girls appear later in the song, ending with the nude picture of Maria taken by Little Bob that Shawn put into the slideshow. Maria runs off in horror. Ted Farley is talking to the crowd as Brenda and Maria talk about what just happened. Maria runs off soon after.
Dale Wilson-Shears, the National Chairman, confronts Brenda about the catastrophe on stage. Brenda comes up with a plan to fix everything that just happened and gives a long, heartfelt speech on the importance of the pageant. She hands Ted the envelope that now contains only 4 girls names as opposed to the original 5. Ted announces the finalists: Shawn, Sandra-Kay, Robin, and Doria. There is much relief as Brenda had just saved the pageant. Bob talks to Brenda about how the judges don't want to choose a winner because of what happened and Brenda basically fires Bob in order to pick a winner. The 4 Finalists then give their final remarks before the winner is announced. (In Our Hands). Big Bob finds out that his son is the one who took that picture. Ted and Joanne go onstage to announce the winner of the pageant. It is announced that Doria Hudson is the runner-up. The big moment arrives and Sandra-Kay MacAffee is the winner of the pageant. (There goes the Girl). Ted closes the pageant when the song is over.
Dale congratulates Brenda on saving the pageant and offers her a spot on the National Committee. Brenda tries to reconcile with Bob to no avail. Bob tries to figure out how to deal with his wife and his son now. Doria tries to convince Robin to join her in the Miss Sunbelt Pageant. Robin ultimately decides to go home. Doria seeing this sings about Disneyland one final time. (Closing song/Disneyland).
Songs (Licensed Version)
Act I- Overture
- Opening - Typical High School Senior
- The Very Best Week Of Your Lives
- Dear Mom #1
- Disneyland
- Shine
- Dear Mom #2
- Bob's Song
- Nerves
- The Ramp Scene
- Young And American (Preliminary Night)
- Until Tomorrow Night
Act II
- Entr'acte
- Opening - Act Two
- Smile
- We Wish We Were You
- In Our Hands
- There Goes The Girl
- Finale
Original Broadway characters and cast
The original Broadway cast included 16 contestants, a number of incidental roles, and the principal roles listed below.| Performer | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Marsha Waterbury | Brenda DiCarlo Freelander | Pageant organizer |
| Jeff McCarthy Jeff McCarthy -Television:He made guest star appearances on television shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ed, Designing Women, Cheers, Freddy's Nightmares, Matlock, and In the Heat of the Night. McCarthy was the voice of the Chuck Jones' creation, Michigan J. Frog, for the WB television network... |
Big Bob Freelander | Brenda's husband |
| Jodi Benson Jodi Benson Jodi Marie Benson is an American actress, voice actress, soprano singer, and Disney Legend. She is best known for providing both the speaking and the singing voices of Disney's Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid and its sequels. In 2002 and 2006, she reprised the role of Ariel in the English... |
Doria Hudson | Contestant/Yuba City |
| Anne Marie Bobby | Robin Gibson | Contestant/Antelope Valley |
| Tia Riebling | Shawn Christianson | Contestant/La Jolla |
| Cheryl-Ann Rossi | Maria Gonzales | Contestant/Salinas |
| Michael O'Gorman | Tommy French | The pageant choreographer |
| Dick Patterson | Ted Farley | An Emcee |
Film
The original 1975 filmSmile (1975 film)
Smile is a 1975 film directed by American director Michael Ritchie, with a screenplay by Jerry Belson, about a beauty pageant in Santa Rosa, California. It stars Bruce Dern and Barbara Feldon and introduced a number of young actresses who later went on to greater success and recognition, such as...
was directed by Michael Ritchie
Michael Ritchie (film director)
Michael Brunswick Ritchie was an American film director.Ritchie was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the son of Patricia and Benbow Ferguson Ritchie...
with a screenplay by Jerry Belson. It starred Barbara Feldon as Brenda DiCarlo, Nicholas Pryer as Andy DiCarlo (Brenda's husband in the film), Bruce Dern
Bruce Dern
Bruce MacLeish Dern is an American film actor. He also appeared as a guest star in numerous television shows. He frequently takes roles as a character actor, often playing unstable and villainous characters...
as Big Bob Freelander, Geoffrey Lewis as Wilson Shears, Joan Prather as Robin Gibson, Annette O'Toole
Annette O'Toole
Annette O'Toole is an American actress, dancer, and singer-songwriter. She is most recently known for portraying Martha Kent, the mother of Clark Kent on the television series Smallville.-Early life and career:...
as Doria Hudson, Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Richards Griffith is an American actress. She is an Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner for her performance in the 1988 film Working Girl...
as Karen Love, and choreographer Michael Kidd
Michael Kidd
Michael Kidd was an American film and stage choreographer.-Life and career:Born Milton Greenwald in New York City on the Lower East Side, the son of Abraham Greenwald, an immigrant barber, and his wife Lillian, Michael Kidd moved to Brooklyn with his family and attended New Utrecht High School there...
as Tommy French. The movie was filmed on location in Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
with the pageant festivities at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium.