The second Broadway revival of The New Moon opened its limited run at City Center on May 17, 1944. Staged by José Ruben and choreographed by Charles Weidman, the production starred Earl Wrightson and Dorothy Kirsten as Robert and Marianne. Featured actors included Hamilton Benz, Harold Gordon, John Hamill, Laurence Hayes, Elizabeth Houston, George Mitchell, Carl Nelson, Frederick Poller, Dorothy … Read More
1942 Broadway
Thirteen years after its initial success on Broadway, The New Moon returned in 1942 in a limited-run production at Carnegie Hall. Staged by John Pierce, the revival opened on August 18, 1942, starring Wilbur Evans and Ruby Mercer. Gene Barry, Hope Emerson, Teddy Hart, Marcel Journet, George Leonard, George Mitchell, Doris Patston, Paul Reed and Everett West played supporting roles. … Read More
1940 Motion Picture
Starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, the second film adaptation of The New Moon (like its predecessor, titled simply New Moon) premiered on June 18, 1940. Produced and directed by Robert Z. Leonard and choreographed by Val Raset, the film also featured Mary Boland, George Zucco, H. B. Warner and Grant Mitchell. The 105-minute film used only five songs from … Read More
1930 Motion Picture
Released on December 28, 1930, the first screen adaptation of The New Moon (redubbed New Moon, without the article) starred Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett. Directed by Jack Conway, the 78-minute film also featured Adolphe Menjou, Roland Young, Gus Shy and Emily Fitzroy. Only four songs from the original score were retained: “Stouthearted Men,” “One Kiss,” “Wanting You” and Lover, … Read More
1929 London
Roughly six months after opening on Broadway, The New Moon made its London premiere at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on April 4, 1929. Directed by Felix Edwardes, with choreography by Bobby Connolly, the production starred Howett Worster and Evelyn Laye. Reviews were mixed, with the Times noting that “the story matters a great deal less than the songs and … Read More
1928 Broadway
After tryouts in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, The New Moon premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on September 19, 1928. Directed by librettists Hammerstein, Schwab and Mendel (all of whom were uncredited), the production was choreographed by Bobby Connolly and starred Robert Halliday and Evelyn Herbert. Critical reception was glowing. J. Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times found … Read More
1973 Broadway
The Desert Song returned to Broadway in a short-lived 1973 production. Opening at the Uris Theatre on September 05, 1973, this revival of The Desert Song was directed by Henry Butler and choreographed by David Nillo. Chris Callan and David Cryer starred, with supporting performances from Jerry Dodge, Stanley Grover, Michael Kermoyan, John Ribecchi, Gloria Rossi and Gloria Zaglool. The … Read More
1953 Motion Picture
Ten years after the Dennis Morgan/Irene Manning version of The Desert Song, Warner Brothers released yet a third film adaptation of the operetta. Directed by Bruch Humberstone, this remake starred Kathryn Grayson and Gordon MacRae and featured Allyn McLerie as Azuri. The film’s plot was similar to that of its predecessor, and nearly all the same songs were used; only … Read More
1946 Broadway
The first Broadway revival of The Desert Song opened at City Center on January 08, 1946. Staged by Sterling Halloway and choreographed by Aida Broadbent, the production starred Walter Cassel and Dorothy Sandlin. Jean Bartel, George Burnson, Richard Charles, Wilton Clary and Jack Goode were also featured. The production, a limited run, played 45 performances and closed on February 16, … Read More
1943 Motion Picture
The second film adaptation of The Desert Song, released on December 17, 1943, was directed by Robert Florey and starred Dennis Morgan, Irene Manning and Bruce Cabot. The original 1929 adaptation of the musical had been released before the Motion Picture Production Code prohibited suggestive humor, innuendo and frank representations of sexuality, so a new version was required to pass … Read More