Sweet Charity

Sweet Charity is a Broadway musical which premiered January 29, 1966. It went on to run for 608 performances before closing its original run on July 15, 1967. The book for the play was written by playwright Neil Simon, with music and lyrics written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, respectively.http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=3281

The opening night cast of Sweet Charity included Gwen Verdon in the title role, as well as James Luisi, John McMartin, and Carmen Morales.http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=3281 The show was nominated for 8 Tony Awards in 1966 including Best Musical, Best Actress, and Best Direction. Bob Fosse won a Tony award for his choreography.http://www.ibdb.com/awardproduction.asp?id=3281 The play has also run on Broadway in three separate revivals, in 1987, 2005, and again in 2010.http://www.ibdb.com/show.php?id=8457 http://broadwayworld.com/bwidb/productions/Sweet_Charity_329755/

Sweet Charity tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a hostess at a dance club who remains optimistic despite a string of bad relationships with men who take advantage of her. The story follows Charity through her misadventures, which include her being robbed by a fiancé, being used by a famous movie star to make his mistress jealous, and falling in love with and losing a man she hopes will be her true love. Through it all, Charity retains hope in the future.

Sweet Charity was adapted into a feature film in 1969 and starred Shirley MacLaine in the title role. The movie was directed by Bob Fosse and was released April 1st.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065054/ John McMartin returned to his Broadway role for the movie. Gwen Verdon, who had originated the role of Charity in the Broadway play, coached Shirley MacLaine on her part.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065054/trivia

The movie version of Sweet Charity was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Music. Shirley MacLaine was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065054/awards