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Ballroom

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  17w, 14m

Book by Jerome Kass
Music by Bill Goldenberg
Lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman

Poignant, tuneful and charming, Ballroom is the story of an aging widow who discovers love and inspiration at a local dance hall.

Ballroom

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    17w, 14m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1979 Tony Award for Best Choreography
    Nominee: Eight 1979 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book
    Winner! 1979 Drama Desk Award for Best Choreography
    Nominee: Seven 1979 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Book

Details

Summary

Based on the CBS television movie The Queen of the Stardust Ballroom starring Maureen Stapleton, Ballroom is the story of aging widow Bea Asher, who begins life anew at the Stardust Ballroom, an old-school dance palace in the Bronx. At the ballroom, Bea meets a middle-aged mailman named Al, and the two soon fall in love. Unfortunately, Al is trapped in an unhappy marriage, and he refuses to leave his wife. Bea’s children and friends advise her against starting up a romance with a married man, but Bea – having found a new life and purpose – decides that “fifty percent” of someone you love is better than “all of anybody else.” The delightfully honest and moving Broadway production was developed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Bennett, co-creator of A Chorus Line.

History

Ballroom premiered on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on 14 December 1978. Directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Bob Avian, the production starred Dorothy Loudon and Vincent Gardenia.

Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1970s
  • Setting The Bronx. 1979.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Pure Broadway magnificence... a story of loss, grief and learning to live again.” – CV Weekly

“A very human story about love and loss and coming out the other side. It features sassy women, the men who appreciate them, and lots of song and dance with well-written lyrics by the Bergmans.” – BroadwayWorld

“It brings class to Broadway.” – New York Post

"Ballroom is a major achievement in widening our understanding of the potential of musical theatre.” – Women's Wear Daily

“Alan and Marilyn Bergman's lyrics [are] pleasantly surprising, wistfully clever, rarely overcooked. They make ordinary-sounding songs into something wonderful.” – Talkin' Broadway

“Flows with grace and glows with affect.” – Christian Science Monitor

“Impressive and delightful… will have its audiences smiling as they leave the theatre.” – Desert Local News

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Orchestra Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

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Authors

Author

Jerome Kass

Bill Goldenberg

Bill Goldenberg

Bill Goldenberg (1936-2020) was an American composer and songwriter, best known for his work on television and film.

Among his most noteworthy achievements were his collaborations with Steven Spielberg on his telefilms (in particular, Night Gallery in 1969 and Duel in 1971) a ...

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Author

Alan Bergman

Author

Marilyn Bergman

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