''Timbuktu!'' is a musical, with lyrics by
George Forrest and
Robert Wright, set to music by
Borodin, Forrest and Wright. The book is by
Luther Davis. It is a resetting of Forrest and Wright's musical ''
Kismet''. The musical is set in 1361 in
Timbuktu
Timbuktu ( ; ; Koyra Chiini: ; ) is an ancient city in Mali, situated north of the Niger River. It is the capital of the Tombouctou Region, one of the eight administrative regions of Mali, having a population of 32,460 in the 2018 census.
...
, in the
Empire of Mali, West Africa.
Production history
The musical premiered on
Broadway at the
Mark Hellinger Theatre on March 1, 1978, and closed on September 10, 1978, after 221 performances and 22 previews.
The original production starred
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Mae Kitt (née Keith; January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American singer and actress. She was known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of "C'est si bon" and the Christmas novelty song "Santa Baby" ...
as Shaleem-La-Lume,
William Marshall as Hadji,
Gilbert Price as the Mansa of Mali,
Melba Moore
Beatrice Melba Smith (born October 29, 1945) known by her stage name Melba Moore, is an American singer and actress.
Biography Early life and education
Moore was born Beatrice Melba Smith on October 29, 1945, in New York City to Gertrude Melba ...
as Marsinah, and George Bell as the Wazir. Ira Hawkins replaced Marshall prior to the Broadway opening.
It was directed, choreographed and costume designed by
Geoffrey Holder, with sets designed by
Tony Straiges.
Alan Eichler was associate producer.
noted that the sets and costumes had "a Ziegfeldian opulence." New songs based on African folk music were added to provide "some tonal verisimiltude."
Following its Broadway run, it toured for more than a year with Kitt continuing in her starring role as Shaleem-La-Lume, Gregg Baker as Hadji,
Bruce Hubbard as the Mansa and Vanessa Shaw as Marsinah.
Original cast and characters
Songs
;Act I
* "Rhymes Have I" - Hadji, Marsinah and Beggars
* "
Fate
Destiny, sometimes also called fate (), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predeterminism, predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual.
Fate
Although often used interchangeably, the words wiktionary ...
" - Hadji
* "In the Beginning, Woman" - Shaleem-La-Lume
* "
Baubles, Bangles and Beads" - Marsinah and Merchants
* "
Stranger in Paradise" - The Mansa of Mali and Marsinah
* "Gesticulate" - Hadji and Council
* "Night of My Nights" - The Mansa of Mali and Courtiers
;Act II
* "My Magic Lamp" - Marsinah
* "Stranger in Paradise (Reprise)" - Marsinah
* "Rahadlakum" - Shaleem-La-Lume and Ladies of the Harem
* "
And This Is My Beloved" - Hadji, Marsinah, The Mansa of Mali and The Wazir
* "Golden Land, Golden Life" - Chief Policeman and Nobles of the Court
* "Zubbediya" - Zubbediya, Princess, Marriage Candidates and Acrobat
* "Night of My Nights (Reprise)" - The Mansa of Mali, Marsinah, Hadji and Nobles of the Court
* "Sands of Time" - Hadji and Shaleem-La-Lume
Awards and nominations
;1978 Tony Award nominations
*
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical - Gilbert Price
*
Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical - Eartha Kitt
*
Tony Award for Best Costume Design - Geoffrey Holder
*
Tony Award for Most Innovative Production of a Revival - Luther Davis
;1978 Drama Desk Award nominations
*
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards are among the most esteemed honors in New York theater, recognizing outstanding achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions within the same categories. The awards are considered a signific ...
for Outstanding Choreography - Geoffrey Holder
* Drama Desk Award Outstanding Costume Design - Geoffrey Holder
References
External links
*
Production information and synopsis at MTI Shows"Eartha Kitt Entrance-''Timbuktu'' 1978!"YouTube clip.
{{Kismet
1978 musicals
African-American musicals
All-Black cast Broadway shows
Broadway musicals
Musicals set in the 14th century
Timbuktu in popular culture
Musicals set in Mali