Audiences can expect a different experience than Camelots of the past. Script revisions of Alan Jay Lerner's 1960 libretto are being overseen by Michael Lerner, his son. The show is based on T.H. White's novel "The Once and Future King."
McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Nederlander Organization, Live Nation, Liza Lerner and Waxman Williams Entertainment, in association with others, will produce the new staging of the musical fantasy, with York as conflicted King Arthur, whose kingdom is threatened by enemies, and whose personal life shatters his political one.
Playbill.com has learned the new production's creative team will include director Glenn Casale (Peter Pan), choreographer Dan Mojica, set designer John Iacovelli (Peter Pan), costume designer Bob Blackman, lighting designer Tom Ruzika, musical director Craig Barna (Peter Pan), sound designer Julie Ferrin and prop designer Aaron King. Casting is by Julia Flores.
Additional casting won't be known until early fall.
The tour, which officially begins in San Jose in late January 2007 will run "at least 25 weeks in the first season with many more in a second season," a spokesperson said. If approved, it might even find a home in New York City. Camelot was propelled to success partly on the reputation of composer Frederick Loewe and lyricist-librettist Alan Jay Lerner (whose previous hit was My Fair Lady), partly because it got solid play on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and partly because of its stars — Julie Andrews as Guenevere and Richard Burton as Arthur.
It ran 873 performances on Broadway. Touring revivals have popped up over the years, starring the Arthurs of Burton, then Richard Harris, then Robert Goulet (who graduated to Arthur after originating Lancelot in 1960).
There is a wealth of musical material in the score, including one song ("Then You May Take Me to the Fair") that made it to the cast album but was cut after opening (and is usually cut out of revivals).
The title song about an idealized realm became associated with the Kennedy administration.
The score — charting political and personal passions of Arthur, his Queen and their loves and enemies — includes "Follow Me," "How to Handle a Woman," "I Loved You Once in Silence," "If Ever I Would Leave You," "The Lusty Month of May," "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood," "What Do the Simple Folk Do?," "C'est Moi," "Guenevere," "I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight," "Fie on Goodness," "The Seven Deadly Virtues" and "Before I Gaze at You Again."
The legend of King Arthur is a fictional, ancient account of the start of the democratic ideas in a woolly and barbaric England.
Camelot has been announced for a number of markets in 2007, including Seattle at 5th Avenue Theatre.
