Eileen Heckart originated the role of mama Tilly, who memorably sang "My Son, the Lawyer" on the original cast album, which has yet to be re-released on CD. John Kander wrote the score and co-wrote lyrics with James Goldman. James and brother William wrote the book about in-law conflicts surrounding a Jewish wedding.
Korey has a reputation for playing load-mouthed, belty broads in such musicals as Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party and the York's staging of Suburb. Bride and groom are played by Blake Hackler and Leslie Kritzer (the title role of Paper Mill's Funny Girl), respectively.
The York cast, directed by Richard Sabellico (taking over for the announced Jay Binder), includes David Margulies as the groom's papa Morris, Charlie Marcus as Harry/Ensemble, Hackler (replacing announced Josh Prince) as groom Gerry, Eddie Korbich as Weaver, Nora Mae Lyng as Miss Lumpe, Kate Suber as Jenny/Ensemble, Richard Ziman as Alfie (the choice role of the bride's uncle), Kritzer as Sally, Brian Noonan as Ensemble, Lyn Philistine as Babs/Ensemble, Jane Strauss as Ensemble.
The original Broadway cast of the show in 1962 included Larry Kert and Rita Gardner as the betrothed. Shelley Berman was the bride's uncle and Morris Carnovsky played father of the groom.
Harold Prince was called in to direct the show in its Philly tryout; it would be the start of the long and important career for Prince the director (known until then as a producer). Prince would maintain a career-long working relationship with Kander and his later lyricist, Fred Ebb (including working on Cabaret, Zorba and Kiss of the Spider Woman). The Family Affair score includes "Harmony," "There's a Room in My House," "Kalua Bay," "Summer Is Over," "Right Girls," "Revenge," Every Girl Wants To Get Married," "I'm Worse Than Anybody," "What I Say Goes" and "Wonderful Party." John Mulcahy is musical director of the Family Affair concert revival.
Next up in the series ("mufti" means in street clothes, without the usual trappings of formal uniforms) of "underappreciated" musicals is Noel Coward's operetta, Pacific 1860, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.
Tickets for the Mufti shows are $30. The York Theatre Company presents at The Theater at St. Peter's, in the Citicorp Center, 54th Street at Lexington Avenue. For ticket information, call (212) 239-6200 or visit http://www.yorktheatre.org.
