1491 is a musical centered around Christopher Columbus before his voyage to discover the New World.[1] Music and lyrics are by American composer and playwright Meredith Willson. It was Willson's final musical. The book was by Willson and Richard Morris[a] with additional material by Ira Barmak,[b][2] and was based on an idea by Ed Ainsworth, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times.[3]
| 1491 | |
|---|---|
.png) Cover of 1969 souvenir program | |
| Music | Meredith Willson |
| Lyrics | Meredith Willson |
| Book | Meredith Willson Richard Morris |
| Productions | 1969 Los Angeles / San Francisco |
History
editThe musical was intended to open in California in 1967, before transferring to Broadway.[4] Willson spent two years researching Columbus and traveling in Spain and Italy for possible material.[4]
Produced by the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, the musical opened in Los Angeles on September 2, 1969,[5] and later transferred to San Francisco where it closed on December 13, 1969.[6] The musical closed before reaching Broadway.
Richard Morris was the director, Edwin Lester was the producer, and Danny Daniels was the choreographer. John Cullum starred as Christopher Columbus and Chita Rivera starred as his mistress.[7] Jean Fenn played Queen Isabella.[8] Initially, Sergio Franchi had been cast as Columbus.[9]
Notes
edit- ^ Morris' other credits include the screenplay of the 1967 film Thoroughly Modern Millie.
- ^ Barmak's other credits including production of the 1987 film Hotel Colonial.
References
edit- ^ John C., Skipper (2015). Meredith Willson: The Unsinkable Music Man. Savas Publishing. pp. 156–159. ISBN 9781882810789.
- ^ Eichelbaum, Stanley (October 29, 1969). "'1491'--A Musical That Looks Back". San Francisco Examiner. p. 47. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Harford, Margaret (September 7, 1969). "Music Man: ...Meredith Willson Again". The Tampa Tribune. p. 6-H. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Columbus Story Inspires Willson". Edmonton Journal. Times-Post News Service. October 7, 1966. p. 59 – via Google News.
- ^ Thomas, Bob (September 3, 1969). "Meredith Willson's $600,000 '1491' cheered on 1st try". The Minneapolis Star. AP. p. 18 B. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "'1491' Ending". San Francisco Examiner. December 11, 1969. p. 36. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Mordden, Ethan (2002). Open a new window: the Broadway musical in the 1960s. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-4039-6013-9.
- ^ Oates, Bill (2005). Meredith Willson, America's music man: the whole Broadway-symphonic-radio-motion picture story. AuthorHouse. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-4208-3524-3.
- ^ Manners, Dorothy (September 18, 1967). "Hollywood Report". The Indianapolis Star. p. 16. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.