In 1961 Mr. Terrell, the General Manager, and the Director began using the Singers and Dancers of the Resident Company to play many more of the Supporting Roles in their productions. The reasons for this change are not clear. It could have been financial or it may have been the result of engaging much more talented and versatile performers. See the 1961 Resident Company Ensemble below to see what productions in which each appeared in a supporting role. See the Playbills for information on what roles they played.
"A Majority of One"
May 30 thru June 5, 1961
Starring
Molly Picon (Mrs. Jacoby)
Frederic Tozere (Kaichi Asono)
With
George Coe (Capt. Norcross)
Playbill for 1961 "A Majority of One" Read a synopsis of "A Majority of One"
"Gypsy"
June 7 thru June 18, 1961
Starring
Mitzi Green (Mama Rose)
With
Bernadette Peters (Ensemble) (Understudied Agnes and Dainty June)
Broadway Producer David Merrick used this engagement at the Music Circus as tryout time for what was to become his Second Road Company of "Gypsy" that would tour the country for eight months.
Read a synopsis of "Gypsy"
"Fanny"
June 20 thru June 25, 1961
Starring
Vincent Gardenia
With
Travis Hudson
"Tenderloin"
June 27 thru July 9, 1961
Starring
Alan Mowbray (Reverend Brock)
With
Vincent Gardenia (Joe)
Bob Roman (Tommy)
Norma Doggett (Nita)
Geraine Richards (Laura)
Travis Hudson (Gertie)
Playbill for 1961 "Tenderloin" Read a synopsis of "Tenderloin"
"Show Boat"
July 11 thru July 16, 1961
Starring
Bert Wheeler (Captain Andy)
Marilyn Landers (Magnolia Hawks)
Paul Dixon (Gaylord Ravenal)
Diane Deering (Parthy Ann Hawks)
Playbill for 1961 "Show Boat" Read a synopsis of "Show Boat"
"Destry Rides Again"
July 25 thru August 6, 1961
Starring
Jean Shepherd (Tom Destry, Jr.)
Lisa Carroll (Frenchy)
With
Nancy Cushman (Rose Lovejoy)
Source: Music Circus Website Archives
Courtesy: Mort Mather
Playbill for 1961 "Destry Rides Again"
Read a synopsis of "Destry Rides Again"
Read 1960 Musical Director, Art Frank's memory of working with Jean Shepherd.
"Wish You Were Here"
August 8 thru, August 13, 1961
With
Geraine Richards (Teddy Stern)
Bruce Baggett (Chick Miller)
Mary Ellen (Fay Fromkin)
Edward Earle (Itchy Flexner)
Jack Waldron (Lou Kandel)
Bob Roman (Pinky Harris)
"For "Wish You Were Here," the orchestra pit was waterproofed with a plastic liner and filled with water to make the swimming pool for the resort hotel in the show. The orchestra was relocated to '12 o'clock,' above the last seats. (We referred to locations in the theatre in the round by clock position)," Art Frank, the Musical Director, recalls. "Conducting "Wish You Were Here" from the top of the tent while the "pit" was turned into a pool was utter hell."
"Because the orchestra was soooo far from the stage there was a whole beat time lag at any allegro tempo and a half-beat lag at andante. Can you imagine how disconcerting THAT was for the orchestra which relied on our ears to keep us with the company. Also, the company (on stage with the bright lights on them) could not see ME! We solved the latter problem to some extent by having me use a lighted baton which was only partially satisfactory. I finally told the cast, 'Sing when you hear the orchestra!' Then, I told the orchestra, 'Do NOT listen to the singers but play with my baton.' Then I went schizophrenic for a week conducting a half beat ahead of the singers. It made a weird echo effect for those in the audience near me, but was satisfactory for the company and two thirds of the audience. It was the week from hell!"
Courtesy: Mort Mather
Playbill for 1961 "Wish You Were Here" Read a synopsis of "Wish You Were Here"
"The Desert Song"
August 15 thru August 20, 1961
Starring
Claire Alexander (Margot Bonvalet)
Bob Roman (Pierre Birabeau, "The Red Shadow")
Courtesy: Mort Mather
Playbill for 1961 "The Desert Song" Read a synopsis of "The Desert Song"
"Pal Joey"
August 22 thru August 27, 1961
Starring
Shirl Conway (Vera)
Larry Kert (Joey)
With
Shirley Dalzell (Gladys)
"The King and I"
August 29 thru September 3, 1961
Starring
Shirl Conway (Anna Leonowens)
Erik Rhodes (The King)
Claire Alexander (Lady Thaing)
Playbill for 1961 "The King and I" Read a synopsis of "The King and I"
Liberace
September 5 thru September 10, 1961
Liberace in concert was placed on the schedule with the usual musical shows. This was another indication that the Music Circus would eventually be presenting more concerts than musicals. By the 1966 season this became true. That year the schedule of weekly productions listed only four musicals and seven week long concert presentations. View Liberace's Listing for this concert week in the Concerts Section.
Read About Liberace
1961 Resident Company - Production Staff
Director
Choreographer
Musical Director
Musical Director
Set Designer
Production Staff for St. John Terrell
Staff for the Lambertville Music Circus
- Publicity and Promotion, Robert W. Larkin
- Business Manager, John Scully, Jr.
- Assistant Business Manager, Stephen Troner
- Treasurer, Bernadette Markey
- Box Office Personnel, Steve Johnson, Eileen Markey
- Musical Contractor, Joseph T. Higham
- Production Assistant, Mort Mather
- Concession Manager, Doug Weeks
- Plant Superintendent, William Short
- Assistant Plant Superintendent, Jonas Kilmer
- Theatre Party Representatives, Alice Heggen, John Carroll
- Staff Artist, Joel Lowendahl
- Assistant Staff Artist, Charles Deppenschmidt, Jon Case
- Electrician, Roy Ewing
- Head Ushers, Eileen Markey, Patty Tucci
- Office Manager, Tod Kendrick
- Parking Cashiers, Patty Tucci, Eileen Markey
- Souvenir Program Salesman, Clint Persing
- Usherettes, Frances Erris, Sandra Wintermute, Judy Eppolito, Nancy Fleming, Dreen Marion Naylor, Barbara Horn, Billie Naylor, Barbara Strouse, Mary Jamieson, Linda Strouse, Marion Davis, Jane Davis
1961 Resident Company Singers
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Wish You Were Here"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Wish You Were Here"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Tenderloin"
"Show Boat"
"Destry Rides Again"
"Wish You Were Here"
"Pal Joey"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Wish You Were Here"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Destry Rides Again"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Destry Rides Again"
"Wish You Were Here"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Tenderloin"
"Destry Rides Again"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Show Boat"
"Destry Rides Again"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Destry Rides Again"
"Wish You Were Here"
"Pal Joey"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Wish You Were Here"
"The King and I"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Show Boat"
"Destry Rides Again"
"Wish You Were Here"
1961 Resident Company Dancers
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Pal Joey"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Show Boat"
"Destry Rides Again"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Destry Rides Again"
"Wish You Were Here"
"Pal Joey"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Wish You Were Here"
1961 Supporting Roles in:
"Wish You Were Here"
"Pal Joey"
Please note that during the season, some Resident Company members may have left and new ones hired. Not all the members listed above were employed for the entire season.