Show History

History

Inspiration


The World Goes 'Round is a musical revue showcasing the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The revue takes its title from a tune that the songwriting team wrote for Liza Minnelli to sing in the Martin Scorsese film, New York, New York.

The show consists of an eclectic collection of love songs, torch songs and acerbicly witty comic numbers. It was conceived by director, Scott Ellis; choreographer, Susan Stroman; and librettist, David Thompson, who collaborated on such Kander and Ebb shows as Steel Pier and the 1996 revival of Chicago. David Loud created the vocal and dance arrangements.

Productions


The World Goes 'Round premiered in New York City on March 18, 1991, at the Westside Theatre. Its cast included Karen Ziemba, Robert Cuccioli, Karen Mason, Brenda Pressley and Jim Walton. The show received critical praise and a satisfying run of 408 performances.

Starting in August 1992, Ziemba, Blum and Mazzie were joined by John Ruess and Shelley Dickinson for a ten-month U.S. national tour. With scenic and technical embellishments added and the title simplified to The World Goes 'Round, the revised edition included mostly upbeat, unfamiliar songs from the team's lesser-known musicals.

Throughout the years, the revue has been staged by regional and community theatre groups and as a fringe theatre production in London.

Cultural Influence

  • An original cast recording was released by RCA Records in 1991.
  • John Kander and Fred Ebb were a highly successful songwriting team, whose stage musicals are an important part of the musical theatre canon. "New York, New York" was one of their most famous songs and was recorded by Frank Sinatra.

Trivia

  • Although the original cast featured Karen Ziemba, Robert Cuccioli, Karen Mason, Brenda Pressley and Jim Walton, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Joel Blum and Marin Mazzie were replacements later in the run.
  • After reaping accolades for his conception of this show, director, Scott Ellis, went on to direct many more popular productions, including a smash Broadway revival of She Loves Me, as well as a revival of Picnic. Creative choreographer, Susan Stroman, advanced to choreographing the long-running musicals, Crazy for You and The Producers, as well as the Harold Prince mega-revival, Show Boat, among others.
  • The show was originally called And the World Goes 'Round; the title was changed to streamline it.

  • Harold Prince has won more Tony Awards than anyone else (20): eight for directing, eight for producing, two as producer of the year's Best Musical and two special Tony Awards.