Your Own Thing
Encyclopedia
Your Own Thing is a rock-styled musical comedy loosely based on Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
. It premiered off-Broadway
in early 1968. The music and lyrics are by Hal Hester and Danny Apolinar with the book adaptation by Donald Driver, who also directed the original production. The show was a success, running for 933 performances and then touring and playing in London and Australia.
It opens when a raging storm wrecks the ship on which a rock duet is traveling. They are "identical" twenty year old twins, Viola and Sebastian. Even in this life-threatening situation, they are bickering as usual (No One's Perfect Dear). In the confusion of the ship sinking, the twins are parted. Viola lands in Illyria where, being told Sebastian drowned, she expresses her loneliness in the strange city (The Flowers). A mysterious stranger gives her a business-card with a job offer. The all-male rock quartet "The Apocalypse” is short one member since Disease was drafted to fight in Vietnam. Famine, War and Death all hate the idea of being forced into such a role (I'm Not Afraid/I'm Me). Disguised as a guy, Charlie, Viola auditions to become "The Apocalypse’s” fourth member (Somethin's Happenin (Baby! Baby!)). She is successful and joins the group, thanks to winning over their 30 year old manager, Orson.
Meanwhile, recovering in hospital from his shipwreck ordeal, Sebastian grieves his sister death in the shipwreck (Come Away, Death). Realising he’ll have to move forward on his own, he goes in search of a job and a mysterious stranger gives him a business-card with a job offer. He meets up with Orson, who mistakes Sebastian for his twin, Viola/Charlie and confirms his appointment as the new member of "The Apocalypse". Sebastian is too thrilled at getting a job to worry his new manager can’t get his name right (I'm On My Way To the Top).
Orson is in love with Olivia, the 30 year old owner of the nightclub where “The Apocalypse” is the star act. She doesn’t want to see him so he asks "Charlie" to deliver a love letter to Olivia. Viola realises that she also is falling in love with Orson (She Never Told Her Love). Inspired by her own situation, Viola advises Orson on how he should win Olivia (Be Gentle). Unfortunately, Olivia falls for Orson’s messenger(s), not realising the second “Charlie”, who likes her, isn’t the first, who didn’t
While the mixed-up couples continue their ever-changing yet confusing relationships, "The Apocalypse" set about rehearsals with their newest member (The Apocalypse Fugue), Viola’s confusion continues (What Do I Know) and friendships grow (The Now Generation). As the confusion builds, the younger Sebastian acknowledges his growing love for the more mature Olivia (The Middle Years). Separately, Olivia also realises that she is falling in love with the younger messenger (The Middle Years (Reprise)). Meanwhile, Orson realises that he has identified unexplainable feelings for "Charlie" (Young and In Love). The confusion builds (Hunca Munca) resulting in an argument between Sebastian and Olivia, which they eventually settle (Don't Leave Me). Finally, the mix-ups are resolved. The twins are reunited. Viola gets Orson and Sebastian gets Olivia (Your Own Thing).
, Marcia Rodd, Marian Mercer, Rusty (Russ) Thacker, Tom Ligon, John Kuhner, Michael Valenti, Igors Gavin, Imogene Bliss, and one of its creators Danny Apolinar. During its run, replacement cast members included Sandy Duncan
and Bonnie Franklin
.
, who replaced Marian Mercer soon after the original off-Broadway production started and who also appears on the original cast recording.
, Bunny Gibson
and Lois Ramsay
.
1967-1968 New York Drama Critics' Circle
Citation for Best Musical
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
. It premiered off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
in early 1968. The music and lyrics are by Hal Hester and Danny Apolinar with the book adaptation by Donald Driver, who also directed the original production. The show was a success, running for 933 performances and then touring and playing in London and Australia.
Synopsis
The show is set in the present (late 1960s) in the land of Illyria, which looks very much like New York City. It is a tale of separated twins, mistaken identities, love triangles and "doing your own thing".It opens when a raging storm wrecks the ship on which a rock duet is traveling. They are "identical" twenty year old twins, Viola and Sebastian. Even in this life-threatening situation, they are bickering as usual (No One's Perfect Dear). In the confusion of the ship sinking, the twins are parted. Viola lands in Illyria where, being told Sebastian drowned, she expresses her loneliness in the strange city (The Flowers). A mysterious stranger gives her a business-card with a job offer. The all-male rock quartet "The Apocalypse” is short one member since Disease was drafted to fight in Vietnam. Famine, War and Death all hate the idea of being forced into such a role (I'm Not Afraid/I'm Me). Disguised as a guy, Charlie, Viola auditions to become "The Apocalypse’s” fourth member (Somethin's Happenin (Baby! Baby!)). She is successful and joins the group, thanks to winning over their 30 year old manager, Orson.
Meanwhile, recovering in hospital from his shipwreck ordeal, Sebastian grieves his sister death in the shipwreck (Come Away, Death). Realising he’ll have to move forward on his own, he goes in search of a job and a mysterious stranger gives him a business-card with a job offer. He meets up with Orson, who mistakes Sebastian for his twin, Viola/Charlie and confirms his appointment as the new member of "The Apocalypse". Sebastian is too thrilled at getting a job to worry his new manager can’t get his name right (I'm On My Way To the Top).
Orson is in love with Olivia, the 30 year old owner of the nightclub where “The Apocalypse” is the star act. She doesn’t want to see him so he asks "Charlie" to deliver a love letter to Olivia. Viola realises that she also is falling in love with Orson (She Never Told Her Love). Inspired by her own situation, Viola advises Orson on how he should win Olivia (Be Gentle). Unfortunately, Olivia falls for Orson’s messenger(s), not realising the second “Charlie”, who likes her, isn’t the first, who didn’t
While the mixed-up couples continue their ever-changing yet confusing relationships, "The Apocalypse" set about rehearsals with their newest member (The Apocalypse Fugue), Viola’s confusion continues (What Do I Know) and friendships grow (The Now Generation). As the confusion builds, the younger Sebastian acknowledges his growing love for the more mature Olivia (The Middle Years). Separately, Olivia also realises that she is falling in love with the younger messenger (The Middle Years (Reprise)). Meanwhile, Orson realises that he has identified unexplainable feelings for "Charlie" (Young and In Love). The confusion builds (Hunca Munca) resulting in an argument between Sebastian and Olivia, which they eventually settle (Don't Leave Me). Finally, the mix-ups are resolved. The twins are reunited. Viola gets Orson and Sebastian gets Olivia (Your Own Thing).
Off-Broadway
The original production opened on January 13, 1968 at the off-Broadway Orpheum Theater. It lasted for 933 performances before touring across the US and Canada. The original cast included Leland PalmerLeland Palmer (actress)
Leland Palmer is an American actress, dancer, and singer who has appeared on stage, in motion pictures, and on television. She appeared on Broadway in Bajour, A Joyful Noise, Hello, Dolly!, Applause, and Pippin...
, Marcia Rodd, Marian Mercer, Rusty (Russ) Thacker, Tom Ligon, John Kuhner, Michael Valenti, Igors Gavin, Imogene Bliss, and one of its creators Danny Apolinar. During its run, replacement cast members included Sandy Duncan
Sandy Duncan
Sandra Kay "Sandy" Duncan is an American singer, dancer and actress of stage and television, recognized through a blonde, pixie cut hairstyle and perky demeanor...
and Bonnie Franklin
Bonnie Franklin
Bonnie Gail Franklin is an American actress, best known for her starring role in the television series One Day at a Time.-Personal life:...
.
London
The London production opened on February 6, 1969 at the Comedy Theatre. It lasted for 42 performances. The cast included Leland Palmer, Danny Apolinar and John Kuhner from the original cast and Marcia RoddMarcia Rodd
Marcia Rodd is an American actress.Rodd was born in Lyons, Kansas, the daughter of Rosetta and Charles C. Rodd. She studied drama at Northwestern University....
, who replaced Marian Mercer soon after the original off-Broadway production started and who also appears on the original cast recording.
Australia
The Australian production opened in March, 1969 at the Phillip Theatre, Sydney. The cast included Bryan Davies, Lynn RogersLynn Rogers
Dr Lynn Leroy Rogers is an American biologist specialising in the study of wild black bears. He is the founder of the North American Bear Center....
, Bunny Gibson
Bunny Gibson
Kathleen "Bunny" Gibson is an actress and former regular dancer on the American Bandstand television program...
and Lois Ramsay
Lois Ramsay
Lois Ramsey is an Australian actress, best known for her performances as eccentric old ladies on television.She was a major cast member of the 1970s soap opera The Box as tea lady Mrs. Hopkins...
.
Awards
1968 Vernon Rice Drama Desk Award:Donald Driver (Director) For his adaptation.1967-1968 New York Drama Critics' Circle
New York Drama Critics' Circle
The New York Drama Critics' Circle is made up of 24 drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization was founded in 1935 at the Algonquin Hotel by a group that included Brooks Atkinson, Walter Winchell, and Robert Benchley...
Citation for Best Musical
Recordings
- Original Cast Recording RCA LSO 1148 (Stereo LP 1968)
- Reissued on CD 1999 RCA B00002SWNO