Bravo Giovanni
Book by A.J. Russell, Lyrics by Ronny Graham Music by Milton Schafer
Bravo Giovanni is a musical with a book by A. J. Russell, lyrics by Ronny Graham, and music by Milton Schafer. It is based upon the novel, “The Crime of Giovanni Venturi”, by Howard Shaw (Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1959).
Its hero is Giovanni Venturi, the owner of a small, family-style trattoria in Rome. When a branch of the upscale Uriti restaurant chain opens up next door and threatens him with bankruptcy, his friend Amadeo suggests he tunnel from his basement to the Uriti basement kitchen, steal food from the dumbwaiter, and serve it in his place at reduced prices in order to stay competitive.
After three previews, the Broadway production, directed by Stanley Prager and choreographed by Carol Haney, opened on May 19, 1962 at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it ran for 76 performances. The cast included Cesare Siepi, Michele Lee, David Opatoshu, George S. Irving, Maria Karnilova, Lainie Kazan, Larry Fuller, and Baayork Lee.
The show received Tony Award nominations for Best Composer and Lyricist, Best Choreography, and Best Conductor and Musical Director.
An original cast recording was released by Columbia Records.
Run
|
Opening & Closing Dates
|
Type & Version
|
Theatre
|
|
May 19, 1962 – Sep 15, 1962
|
Musical / Original
|
Broadhurst Theatre, NY, USA
|
Musical Numbers
|
|
Bravo Giovanni (1962 Original Broadway Cast) Best Price
Bravo Giovanni (1962 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
Opening Night Cast
| Cesare Siepi | Giovanni Venturi |
| Michele Lee | Miranda |
| Jyll Alexander | Singer |
| Nino Banome | Musician, Baker,Dancer |
| Ann Barry | Dancer |
| Alvin Beam | Helper ,Dancer |
| Thatcher Clarke | Gino, Soup CookDancer |
| Harry Davis | Furniture Dealer, Professor Panfredoni |
| Norma Donaldson | Singer |
| Ed Dumont | Uriti Waiter,Singer |
| Shellie Farrell | Dancer |
| Michele Franchi | Dancer |
| Rico Froehlich | Uriti Waiter ,Musician ,Professor Musa |
| Larry Fuller | Baker, Dancer |
| Penny Gaston | Signora Elli, Singer |
| Gene Gavin | Salad Chef ,Dancer |
| Marcia Gilford | Singer |
| Maria Graziano | Singer |
| Herad Gruhn | Dancer |
| Ellen Halpin | Dancer |
| Tom Head | Singer |
| George S. Irving | Signor Bellardi |
| Barney Johnston | Uriti Waiter ,Policeman, Singer |
| Maria Karnilova | Signora Pandolfi |
| Lainie Kazan | La Contessa, Singer |
| Betty Kent | Singer |
| Ronald Knight | Singer |
| Al Lanti | Carlo |
| Baayork Lee | Dancer |
| Lu Leonard | Celestina |
| Joe McGrath | Uriti Waiter, Singer |
| Rita Metzger | Singer |
| Buzz Miller | Dino, Night Club Manager,Head Chef |
| David Opatoshu | Amedeo |
| Richard Park | Singer |
| Alan Peterson | Helper ,Dancer |
| Barbara Richman | Dancer |
| Al Sambogna | Nino ,Helper ,Dancer |
| Arnold Soboloff | Moscolito |
| Nikki Sowinski | Dancer |
| John Taliaferro | Signor Brancusi ,Singer |
| Claude Thompson | Dancer |
| Gene Varrone | Musician ,Troubadour ,Pizza Maker ,Brigadiere |
Opening Night Production Crew
External Links
