Production History
Wonderful Town debuted on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on February 25, 1953 and ran for 559 performances, closing on July 3, 1954 and starred Rosalind Russell and Edie Adams. It was directed by George Abbott, choreographed by Donald Saddler and produced by Robert Fryer.
A London Production opened Feb 25th, 1955 at The Prince's Theatre, where it ran for 207 performances. The production starred Pat Kirkwood as Ruth, Shani Wallace as Eileen, and Sid James as Wrack. It was produced by Jack Hylton, and Cyril Ornadel served as music director.
The show was broadcast live as a television special on CBS in 1958, again starring Rosalind Russell as Ruth Sherwood and Jackie McKeever as Eileen Sherwood.
New York City Center productions have starred Nancy Walker (1958), Kaye Ballard (1963) and Elaine Stritch (1966). Stock productions gave Eve Arden and Nanette Fabray, among others, the opportunity to play Ruth. Lauren Bacall starred in a 1978 tour.
A production opened in the West End at the Queen's Theatre in August 1986 and closed in March 1987, after playing at the Watford Palace, with Maureen Lipman (Ruth) and Emily Morgan (Eileen).
The City Center Encores! staged concert was presented in May 2000, starring Donna Murphy and Laura Benanti and directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. It received "some of the best reviews the in-concert series has seen in some time, with particular praise being doled out for star Donna Murphy." A revival opened on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on November 23, 2003 and closed on January 30, 2005, after 497 performances. With direction and choreography by Kathleen Marshall, it starred Donna Murphy, and later Brooke Shields.
A non-Equity national tour was mounted by Music Theatre Associates in 2006 and 2007, starring Deborah Lynn as Ruth and Allison Berry as Eileen.
The Canadian premiere opened May 25, 2008 at the Shaw Festival in Niagara On The Lake, Ontario.
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