''Señor'' ''Discretion Himself'' is a musical with book, music and lyrics by

Frank Loesser Frank Henry Loesser ( "lesser"; June 29, 1910 – July 28, 1969) was an American songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway theatre, Broadway musicals ''Guys and Dolls (musical), Guys and Dolls'' and ''How to Succeed in Business ...

, adapted from the short story of the same name by

Budd Schulberg Budd Schulberg (born Seymour Wilson Schulberg; March 27, 1914 – August 5, 2009) was an American screenwriter, television producer, novelist and sports writer. He was known for his novels '' What Makes Sammy Run?'' (1941) and ''The Harder They ...

. It was never completed before Loesser died in 1969, but it was revised and "completed" in 2004, with a new

libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...

Culture Clash Cultural conflict is a type of conflict that occurs when different cultural values and beliefs clash. Broad and narrow definitions exist for the concept, both of which have been used to explain violence (including war) and crime, on either a mi ...

, vocal arrangements by Brian Cimmet and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. ''Señor Discretion Himself'' ran April 9-May 23, 2004 at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The production was directed by

Charles Randolph-Wright Charles Randolph-Wright is an American film, television, and theatre director, television producer, screenwriter, and playwright. Early life A native of York, South Carolina, Randolph-Wright graduated with honors from York High School. He atten ...

, choreography by Doriana Sanchez, music direction and vocal arrangements by Brian Cimmet, orchestrations by

Larry Hochman Larry Hochman (; born November 21, 1953) is an American orchestrator and composer. He has won four Emmy Awards for his original music on the TV series '' Wonder Pets!'' and a Tony Award for his orchestrations for ''The Book of Mormon''. Early l ...

. The production starred Shawn Elliott,

Elena Shaddow Elena Shaddow is an American singer and actress. She is originally from Chagrin Falls, Ohio.John Bolton John Robert Bolton (born November 20, 1948) is an American attorney, diplomat, Republican Party (United States), Republican consultant, and political commentator. He served as the 25th United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to ...

Background

worked on what would have been his final musical from 1965 to 1968. Suffering from terminal illness, he ultimately wrote to Budd Schulberg, claiming to have abandoned work on ''Señor Discretion Himself''. In the 1980s, a developmental workshop was done of the show, for which new arrangements of the music were devised. The libretto was completed by Schulberg, but after the unsuccessful 1985 workshop, the show disappeared back into obscurity. In 2003, a reading and subsequent workshop were put together in preparation for the 2004 production at Arena Stage. In 2005, another reading and a demo recording were created.

2004 Arena Stage production (world premiere)

The workshop The cast from the world premiere: *Pancito - Shawn Elliott *Hilario - John Bolton *Lupita - Elena Shaddow *Martin - Ivan Hernandez *Carolina - Margo Reymundo *Father Orlando - Robert Almodovar *Father Francisco - Tony Chiroldes *Father Manuel - Carlos Lopez *Ensemble - Venny Carranza, Steven Cupo, Rayanne Gonzales, Deanna Harris, Laura-Lisa, Lynnette Marrero, Eduardo Placer and Diego Prieto

Awards and nominations

*2005

Helen Hayes Award The Helen Hayes Awards are theater awards recognizing excellence in professional theater in the Washington, D.C. area since 1983. The awards are named in tribute of Helen Hayes, who is also known as the "First Lady of American Theatre." They are ...

– Outstanding Resident Musical *2005 Helen Hayes Nomination –

Emilio Sosa Emilio Sosa (born February 23, 1967) is a costume designer for Broadway and is chair of the American Theatre Wing Board of Trustees in New York City. He has been nominated for 5 Tony Awards as a costume designer, and is best-known for his work on ...

, Costume Design ( Resident Design)

References

External links

frankloesser.com

Variety review

{{DEFAULTSORT:Senor Discretion Himself 2004 musicals Musicals based on short fiction Unfinished plays Musicals by Frank Loesser