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ADAPTED from Nights of Cabiria,
a film by Federico Fellini, Sweet Charity tells the story
of an optimistic young woman, Charity, who not only wears her
heart on her sleeve, she's had it tattooed to her arm! As the
play begins, Charity finds herself dumped by the married man
on whom she had pinned all her hopes and dreams, and she vows
never again to be taken advantage of by a man. But Charity is
too trusting and soon finds herself involved with an Italian
movie star. The actor, however, is no better than the other men
Charity has dated, and once again she finds herself jilted and
alone. The next night, however, as fate would have it, she finds
herself trapped in an elevator with a claustrophobic tax accountant
who soon sweeps Charity off her feet. Soon it becomes clear that
this man is different--that he actually wants to marry her--but
will he still feel the same way when he finds out that Charity
works at the Fan-Dango as a dance hall hostess?
SWEET CHARITY premiered at the Palace Theatre, New
York, on January 29, 1966 with a cast that featured Gwen Verdon
(Charity), John Mcmartin (Oscar), Thelma Oliver (Helene), James
Luisi (Vidal), Arnold Soboloff (Daddy), and Sharon Ritchie (Ursala).
The production, which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, was directed
and choreographed by Bob Fosse. The 1986 Broadway revival won
Tony Awards for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor in a Musical
(Michael Rupert), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Bebe Neuwirth),
and Best Costume Design (Patricia Zipprodt). The 1969 film version,
also directed by Fosse, features Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera,
John McMartin, Paula Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Ricardo Montalban,
and Bud Cort.
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