Timbuktu!
A Musical Fable based on "Kismet"
MusicalOriginalBroadway
Opening Date
Mar 01, 1978
Closing Date
Sep 10, 1978
1st Preview
Feb 09, 1978
1st Preview
Feb 09, 1978
Previews
22
Performances
221
MusicalOriginalBroadway
External Links
Shop
Open Date: Mar 01, 1978
Close Date: Sep 10, 1978
Closed Flag: n
Is Final Week:
ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION
Description
Program Note: The Real City of Timbuktu: 'Timbuktu was Moslem, black, opulent, and remote. Travelers died in attempts to cross the Sahara in search of this fabled city, and so its reputation grew even faster than its wealth. When one of the rulers, Mansa Musa, made a pilgrimage to Mecca in the year 1324, he brought with him a vast retinue of thousands and gave away so much gold that the price of gold fell ten to fifteen percent in the money markets of Cairo.'
Setting
Timbuktu, in the Ancient Empire of Mali, West Africa. In the year 1361 (of Islam 752).
Media
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Audio Interview
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PeopleTheatre Owned / Operated by The Nederlander OrganizationProduced by Luther Davis; Produced in association with Sarnoff International Enterprises, William D. Cunningham and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Associate Producer: Alan EichlerMusic by Robert Wright and George Forrest; Lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest; Book by Luther Davis; Based on the musical by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis; From the play by Edward Knoblock; Musical Director: Charles H. Coleman; Music arranged by Charles H. Coleman; Incidental music by Charles H. Coleman; Additional orchestrations by Bill BrohnDirected by Geoffrey Holder; Choreographed by Geoffrey HolderScenic Design by Tony Straiges; Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder; Lighting Design by Ian Calderon; Sound Design by Abe Jacob; Special Assistant to Mr. Straiges: Kate Edmunds; Special Assistant to Mr. Calderon: Marilyn Lowey; Wig Design by Stanley James; Make-Up Design by Stanley JamesGeneral Manager: Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd.; Company Manager: Drew MurphyMusic from African folk music; and themes of Alexander Borodin; Musical Supervisor: Charles H. Coleman; Musical Coordinator: Earl ShendellPlaybill Cover Illustration by Geoffrey HolderAsst. to the Choreographer: Miguel Godreau; General Press Representative: Solters & Roskin, Inc., Joshua Ellis and Milly Schoenbaum; Assistant to the Director: Donald Christy; Advertising: Matthew Serino & Associates; Photographer: Martha Swope; Dance Captain: Miguel GodreauCitizen of TimbuktuBird in ParadiseBird in ParadiseOrange MerchantAntelopeCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuWitchdoctorCitizen of TimbuktuWoman in the GardenCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuCitizen of TimbuktuSwings: Rodney Green and Jan HazellUnderstudies: Gregg Baker (Hadji), Joella Breedlove (One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane), Dyane Harvey (Najua, Bird in Paradise), Bruce A. Hubbard (The Mansa of Mali), Jimmy Justice (M'Ballah of the River), Eugene Little (Munshi, Bird in Paradise), Tony Ndogo (Antelope), Shezwae Powell (Shaleem-La-Lume), Ronald Richardson (Chief Policeman), Vanessa Shaw (Marsinah) and Louis Tucker (The Wazir)
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SongsAct 1Sung ByRhymes Have IHadji, Marsinah and BeggarsFateHadjiIn the Beginning, WomanShaleem-La-LumeBaubles, Bangles and BeadsMarsinah and MerchantsStranger in ParadiseThe Mansa of Mali and MarsinahGesticulateHadji and CouncilNight of My NightsThe Mansa of Mali and CourtiersAct 2Sung ByMy Magic LampMarsinahStranger in Paradise (Reprise)MarsinahRahadlakumShaleem-La-Lume and Ladies of the HaremAnd This Is My BelovedHadji, Marsinah, The Mansa of Mali and The WazirGolden Land, Golden LifeChief Policeman and Nobles of the CourtZubbediyaZubbediya, Princess, Marriage Candidates and AcrobatNight of My Nights (Reprise)The Mansa of Mali, Marsinah, Hadji and Nobles of the CourtSands of TimeHadji and Shaleem-La-Lume
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Awards
Tony Award®
Best Actor in a Musical
1978 Nominee
Gilbert PriceBest Actress in a Musical
1978 Nominee
Eartha KittBest Costume Design
1978 Nominee
Costume Design by Geoffrey HolderMost Innovative Production of a Revival
1978 Nominee
Produced by Luther DavisDrama Desk Award
Outstanding Choreography
1978 Nominee
Choreographed by Geoffrey HolderOutstanding Costume Design
1978 Nominee
Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder
Theatre Owned / Operated by The Nederlander Organization
Produced by Luther Davis; Produced in association with Sarnoff International Enterprises, William D. Cunningham and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Associate Producer: Alan Eichler
Music by Robert Wright and George Forrest; Lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest; Book by Luther Davis; Based on the musical by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis; From the play by Edward Knoblock; Musical Director: Charles H. Coleman; Music arranged by Charles H. Coleman; Incidental music by Charles H. Coleman; Additional orchestrations by Bill Brohn
Directed by Geoffrey Holder; Choreographed by Geoffrey Holder
Scenic Design by Tony Straiges; Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder; Lighting Design by Ian Calderon; Sound Design by Abe Jacob; Special Assistant to Mr. Straiges: Kate Edmunds; Special Assistant to Mr. Calderon: Marilyn Lowey; Wig Design by Stanley James; Make-Up Design by Stanley James
General Manager: Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd.; Company Manager: Drew Murphy
Music from African folk music; and themes of Alexander Borodin; Musical Supervisor: Charles H. Coleman; Musical Coordinator: Earl Shendell
Playbill Cover Illustration by Geoffrey Holder
Asst. to the Choreographer: Miguel Godreau; General Press Representative: Solters & Roskin, Inc., Joshua Ellis and Milly Schoenbaum; Assistant to the Director: Donald Christy; Advertising: Matthew Serino & Associates; Photographer: Martha Swope; Dance Captain: Miguel Godreau
Citizen of Timbuktu
Bird in Paradise
Bird in Paradise
Orange Merchant
Antelope
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Witchdoctor
Citizen of Timbuktu
Woman in the Garden
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Citizen of Timbuktu
Swings:
Rodney Green
and Jan Hazell
Understudies:
Gregg Baker
(Hadji), Joella Breedlove
(One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane), Dyane Harvey
(Najua, Bird in Paradise), Bruce A. Hubbard
(The Mansa of Mali), Jimmy Justice
(M'Ballah of the River), Eugene Little
(Munshi, Bird in Paradise), Tony Ndogo
(Antelope), Shezwae Powell
(Shaleem-La-Lume), Ronald Richardson
(Chief Policeman), Vanessa Shaw
(Marsinah) and Louis Tucker
(The Wazir)
Act 1
Sung By
Rhymes Have I
Hadji, Marsinah and Beggars
Fate
Hadji
In the Beginning, Woman
Shaleem-La-Lume
Baubles, Bangles and Beads
Marsinah and Merchants
Stranger in Paradise
The Mansa of Mali and Marsinah
Gesticulate
Hadji and Council
Night of My Nights
The Mansa of Mali and Courtiers
Act 2
Sung By
My Magic Lamp
Marsinah
Stranger in Paradise
(Reprise)
Marsinah
Rahadlakum
Shaleem-La-Lume and Ladies of the Harem
And This Is My Beloved
Hadji, Marsinah, The Mansa of Mali and The Wazir
Golden Land, Golden Life
Chief Policeman and Nobles of the Court
Zubbediya
Zubbediya, Princess, Marriage Candidates and Acrobat
Night of My Nights
(Reprise)
The Mansa of Mali, Marsinah, Hadji and Nobles of the Court
Sands of Time
Hadji and Shaleem-La-Lume
Tony Award®
Best Actor in a Musical
1978 Nominee
Gilbert Price
Gilbert Price
Best Actress in a Musical
1978 Nominee
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt
Best Costume Design
1978 Nominee
Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder
Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder
Most Innovative Production of a Revival
1978 Nominee
Produced by Luther Davis
Produced by Luther Davis
Drama Desk Award
Outstanding Choreography
1978 Nominee
Choreographed by Geoffrey Holder
Choreographed by Geoffrey Holder
Outstanding Costume Design
1978 Nominee
Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder
Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder
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