Doctor Jazz is a 1975 musical with music by Luther Henderson and Buster Davis, with a book and lyrics by Davis. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1975 and was nominated for three Tony Awards for Best Choreography (Donald McKayle), Best Actress in a Musical (Lola Falana) and Best Costume Design (Raoul Pene Du Bois). The musical takes its name from the 1920s Jazz standard Doctor Jazz and tells an original story primarily set in the Storyville district in New Orleans and revolving around Edna Mae Sheridan, her mother, who owns a brothel, and two men vying for her attention.[1][2]
| Doctor Jazz | |
|---|---|
| Music | Luther Henderson Buster Davis |
| Lyrics | Buster Davis |
| Book | Buster Davis |
| Premiere | March 19, 1975: Winter Garden Theatre |
| Productions | 1975 Broadway |
Production history
editDoctor Jazz opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on March 19, 1975. The show was directed and choreographed by Donald McKayle and produced by Cyma Rubin. The show struggled in previews, and closed after only five official performances.[3]
Original cast and characters
edit| Character | Broadway (1975) |
|---|---|
| Steve Anderson | Bobby Van |
| Edna Mae Sheridan | Lola Falana |
| Georgia Sheridan | Lillian Hayman |
| Harriet Lee | Peggy Pope |
| Jonathan Jackson Jr. | Jack Landrón |
| Henry / Rudy / Harry | Paul Eichel |
| Pete | Eron Tabor |
Musical numbers
edit
|
|
An original cast album was released following the show's closing.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Doctor Jazz – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
- ^ "'Doctor Jazz' Opens at Winter Garden". The New York Times. 20 March 1975. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Doctor Jazz (Broadway, Winter Garden Theatre, 1975) | Playbill".
- ^ "Doctor Jazz – 1975 Original Broadway Cast" – via castalbums.org.