Miss Spectacular

Miss Spectacular
Studio Recording
MusicJerry Herman
LyricsJerry Herman
BookRobert L. Freedman
ProductionsUnproduced

Miss Spectacular is an unproduced musical with a libretto by Robert L. Freedman, lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and additional lyrics by Steve Lawrence and Michael Feinstein. Its plot focuses on a girl from the Midwest who heads to Las Vegas and is a finalist in the "Miss Spectacular" contest.[1]

History

Steve Wynn had asked Herman to write a musical that would be presented at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, possibly in 2000.[2] Wynn planned to install the musical in its theater for a long-term engagement, but when the property was sold to MGM the new owners had no interest in the project.[3][4]

In 2003, there were new plans for staging the musical in Las Vegas with Tommy Tune directing and the search for the leading lady done with a television talent show. There has been no further word on this project.[5]

Undaunted by the collapse of the arrangement, Herman gathered together a cast of Broadway performers, including Lawrence, Feinstein, Faith Prince, Christine Baranski, Debbie Gravitte, and Karen Morrow, and a full orchestra to record a concept album that was released on the DRG label in 2002. His score is reminiscent of such early work as Hello, Dolly! and Mame.[6][1]

Song list

  • "Overture"
  • "Miss What's Her Name "
  • "Las Vegas"
  • "Ziegfeld Girl"
  • "Sarah Jane"
  • "Ziegfeld Girl (Reprise)"
  • "Where in the World is My Prince?"
  • "No Other Music"
  • "I Wanna Live Each Night"
  • "Miss Spectacular"
  • "My Great Dream"

Source:[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Kenneth. "Jerry Herman's 'Miss Spectacular' Gets All-Star Studio Cast Recording June 11" Playbill, April 2, 2002
  2. ^ "January 2000: Mr. Spectacular". Archived from the original on 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2007-09-10. "Las Vegas Life", "Mr. Spectacular", January 2000
  3. ^ Simonson, Robert; Lefkowitz, David; Nassour, Ellis. "Herman's 'Miss Spectacular' Stalled by Corporate Merger" Playbill, July 26, 2000, accessed December 22, 2016
  4. ^ "Composer to bring a bit of Broadway to Las Vegas" Las Vegas Sun, October 18, 2006, accessed December 22, 2016
  5. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Herman's 'Spectacular' to Hit Vegas in 2004; Reality TV Show to Choose Star" Playbill, January 23, 2003
  6. ^ Suskin, Steven. "ON THE RECORD: Into the Woods with 'Miss Spectacular'" Playbill, July 28, 2002, accessed December 22, 2016
  7. ^ Jerry Herman: Poet of the Showtune (2004), Steve Citron, p. 298, Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-10082-5