Victor / Victoria (musical)
| Musical dates | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Victor / Victoria |
| Original language: | English |
| Music: | Henry Mancini , three additional titles from Frank Wildhorn |
| Book: | Blake Edwards |
| Lyrics: | Leslie Bricusse |
| Premiere: | October 25, 1995 |
| Place of premiere: | Marquis Theater, Broadway , New York, USA |
| Place and time of the action: | Paris and Chicago |
| Roles / people | |
& Ensemble |
|
Victor / Victoria is a 1995 musical based on the 1982 film of the same name . Since the composer Henry Mancini , who also wrote the film music, died during the completion, three additional tracks were written by Frank Wildhorn . As with the film, the book is by Blake Edwards and the lyrics by Leslie Bricusse .
action
first act
Unsuccessful singer Victoria Grant hopes for a breakthrough in vain and struggles to pay her bills. One evening at an audition at Henri Labisse's Chez Lui nightclub , she met Toddy, an older, gay man. The two are equally likeable and become friends. When Toddy's ex-boyfriend mistook Victoria for a man, Toddy had an idea: Victoria should pretend to be a male travesty artist who imitates women more perfectly than anyone else. After initial hesitation, Victoria finally agrees to finally get a job. Her new name is Victor Grazinsky, an Eastern European count who is completely unknown outside of his homeland.
Her first appearance as a travesty artist Victor (Le Jazz Hot) was an acclaimed success and she became a star overnight. The American nightclub owner King Marchand, his girlfriend Norma Cassidy and his bodyguard Squash Bernstein also sit in the audience at this gig. While King Marchand is initially aloof, Norma is enthusiastic about Victor. When she meets Victoria, she struggles to maintain her role as Victor.
At the hotel, everyone finds that the suite rented by Victoria and Toddy is right next to that of King Marchand, his girlfriend Norma and his bodyguard Squash. Toddy loves squash and thinks it looks like a young puppy.
Second act
Victoria continues to enjoy success as Victor. Meanwhile, King Marchand, Norma and Squash are planning their departure from Paris. King Marchand, who still thinks Victoria is Victor, has to admit that he has fallen in love with Victor.
Victoria finally admits that she is a woman and the two become a couple. King Marchand lets himself be persuaded to continue pretending Victoria is a man. Due to the alleged homosexuality of his boss, his bodyguard Squash Bernstein admits that he is gay and that he has fallen in love with Toddy. Toddy and squash also become a couple.
Norma, who is offended because her boyfriend left her because of Victor, informs his former business partner, the criminal Sal Andretti, where King Marchand is and that he is now living with a man. But King Marchand still stands by Victor. In the meantime, Henri Labisse also learns that Victor is really Victoria and wants her to be blown.
After all, Victoria is tired of the game of hide and seek and finally wants to be able to live openly as a woman again. She wants to appear as Victor one last time and reveal that she is a woman. On this last appearance, she and King make their love as public as Toddy and Squash, who do not want to hide even as a gay couple. And so in the end it says “It's not a crime to love each other” - “It is not a crime to love one another”.
Music track
first act
- Paris by Night - Toddy & Les Boys
- If I Were a Man - Victoria
- Trust Me - Toddy & Victoria (Music: Frank Wildhorn)
- Le Jazz Hot - Victor & Ensemble
- The Tango - Victor & Norma
- Paris Makes Me Horny - Norma
- Crazy World - Victoria
Second act
- Louis Says - Victor & Ensemble (Music: Frank Wildhorn)
- King's Dilemma - King
- Apache - Les Boys
- You & Me - Toddy & Victor
- Paris by Night (Reprise) - flower seller
- Almost a Love Song - King & Victoria
- Chicago, Illinois - Norma & The Girls
- Living in the Shadows - Victoria (Music: Frank Wildhorn)
- Living in the Shadows (Reprise) - Victoria (Music: Frank Wildhorn)
- Victor / Victoria - Victoria, Toddy, King, Squash & Ensemble
Original line-up for the Broadway production
October 25, 1995 - July 27, 1997 (previews from October 3, 1995): Marquis Theater, Broadway , New York City (734 performances and 25 previews).
- Julie Andrews (Victoria Grant / Victor Grazinsky)
- Tony Roberts (Toddy)
- Michael Nouri (King Marchand)
- Rachel York (Norma Cassidy)
- Gregory Jbara (Squash Amber)
- Richard B. Shull (Andre Cassell)
- Adam Heller (Henri Labisse)
& Ensemble
Julie Andrews was replaced by Liza Minnelli in 1997 due to voice problems resulting from surgery .
European premiere
The European premiere took place on July 3, 1998 at the Dresden State Operetta . The director was Stefan Huber , the musical director was Volker Plangg . The female lead alternated with Annette Koch and Marianne Larsen , while Peter Bause played the role of Toddy .
CD
- Victor / Victoria - Original Broadway Cast Recording (Philips 446 919-2)
DVD
The original Broadway show was recorded and released on DVD:
- Victor / Victoria - The Original Broadway Cast Production starring Julie Andrews (1995)