Show History
History
Inspiration
The Apple Tree is a compilation of three musical playlets, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by both, with contributions from Jerome Coopersmith. It consists of three separate acts and stories, tied together with the common theme of someone getting what they wished, only to realize that it did not solve all of their problems. The first act is based on Mark Twain's The Diary of Adam and Eve, which views the story of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel in a more contemporary light. The second act is based on Frank R. Stockton's short story, The Lady, or the Tiger?, which depicts a princess facing a forbidden love with a peasant, and the consequences that follow. The final act is a version of the comic, Pasionella, a take on the classic tale of Cinderella, this time, telling the tale of a chimney sweep who dreams of stardom.
Productions
The Apple Tree opened on Broadway on October 18, 1966, at the Shubert Theatre. It was directed by the legendary Mike Nichols and closed on November 25, 1967, after 463 performances. The next New York production of the musical came almost 40 years later, when the Encores! company staged a concert production from May 12, to 16, 2005. The next year, the Roundabout Theatre Company mounted a full revival that ran from December 14, 2006, to March 11, 2007, for a total of 117 performances.
Trivia
- The original Broadway production of The Apple Tree was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 1967, including Best Musical, Best Composer and Lyricist, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreogrpahy. The Broadway revival was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, three Drama Desk Awards (including Outstanding Orchestrations and Outstanding Revival of a Musical) and two Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Outstanding Revival of a Musical).
- Celebrities that have starred in The Apple Tree include: Alan Alda, Barbara Harris, Larry Blyden, Kristin Chenoweth, Michael Cerveris, Brian D'Arcy James, Marc Kudisch and Malcolm Gets.