Opening Date

Sep 20, 1978

Closing Date

Feb 11, 1979

MusicalOriginalNational Tour

ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

Setting
Timbuktu, in the Ancient Empire of Mali, West Africa. In the year 1361 (of Islam 752).
Produced by Luther Davis; Produced in association with Sarnoff International Enterprises, William D. Cunningham and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Associate Producer: Alan Eichler
Book by Luther Davis; Music by Robert Wright and George Forrest; Lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest; Based on the musical by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis; From the play by Edward Knoblock; Music from African folk music; and themes of Alexander Borodin; Music arranged by Charles H. Coleman; Incidental music by Charles H. Coleman; Additional orchestrations by Bill Brohn; Musical Director: Charles H. Coleman; Assistant Musical Dir.: John Cartwright
Directed by Geoffrey Holder; Choreographed by Geoffrey Holder
Scenic Design by Tony Straiges; Costume Design by Geoffrey Holder; Lighting Design by Ian Calderon; Sound Design by Abe Jacob; Wigs and Makeup Designed by Stanley James; Associate Scenic Design: Wray Steven Graham; Associate Sound Design: Larry Spurgeon
General Manager: Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd.; Company Manager: Drew Murphy; Assistant Co. Mgr: Patricia Crowe
Technical Director: Arthur Siccardi; Production Stage Manager: Peter Lawrence; Stage Manager: James Woolley and Harold Pierson
Musical Supervisor: Charles H. Coleman; Musical Coordinator: Earl Shendell; Music Preparation Supervisor: Al Miller and Mathilde Pincus
General Press Representative: Solters & Roskin, Inc.; Advertising: Matthew Serino & Associates; Dance Captain: Harold Pierson; Press Representative: Joshua Ellis; Production Photographer Martha Swope
Eartha Kitt
Shaleem-La-Lume
Wife of Wives to the Wazir
Gregg Baker
Hadji
Daniel Barton
M'Ballah of the River
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
George Bell
The Wazir
Homer Bryant
Munshi
Bodyservant to the Mansa
 
Bird in Paradise
Dyane Harvey
Najua
Bodyservant to Sahleem-La-Lume
 
Bird in Paradise
Bruce A. Hubbard
The Mansa of Mali
Ronald A. Richardson
Chief Policeman
Vanessa Shaw
Marsinah
Daughter of Hadji
Priscilla Baskerville
Zubbediya
Elaine Beener
Beggar
 
Woman in the Garden
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Deborah K. Brown
One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Tony Carroll
The Strongman
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Donald H. Coleman
Citizen of Timbuktu
Cheryl Cummings
Citizen of Timbuktu
Luther Fontaine
The Chakaba
Stiltwalker
 
Orange Merchant
 
Antelope
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Michael F. Harrison
Citizen of Timbuktu
Jan Hazell
Citizen of Timbuktu
Linda Karen
One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Patricia Lumpkin
One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Joe Lynn
Beggar
 
Witchdoctor
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
William McPherson
Antelope
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Gwen Moten
Citizen of Timbuktu
Tony Ndogo
Citizen of Timbuktu
Autris Paige
Citizen of Timbuktu
Ray Pollard
Citizen of Timbuktu
Martial Roumain
Citizen of Timbuktu
Gail P. Samuels
Citizen of Timbuktu
Deborah Waller
Child
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Chet Washington
Citizen of Timbuktu
Swings: Leah Bass and Charles E. Grant
Understudies: Elaine Beener (Shaleem-La-Lume), Donald H. Coleman (The Wazir), Cheryl Cummings (Najua, Bird in Paradise), Christopher Deane (The Mansa of Mali), Jan Hazell (One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane), Joe Lynn (Chief Policeman, M'Ballah of the River), Gwen Moten (Marsinah), Tony Ndogo (Antelope), Autris Paige (Hadji) and Martial Roumain (Munshi, Bird in Paradise)
Company Manager: Kim Sellon

Cast

Priscilla Baskerville
Citizen of Timbuktu
Jacqueline Campbell
Citizen of Timbuktu
Donald H. Coleman
Beggar
Christopher Deane
Citizen of Timbuktu
Luther Fontaine
Witchdoctor
Lynda Karen
One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane
 
Citizen of Timbuktu
Joe Lynn
Court Clerk
Gayle P. Samuels
Citizen of Timbuktu
Understudies: Jacqueline Campbell (One of the Three Princesses of Baguezane) and Gwen Moten (Zubbediya)
Act 1
Sung By
Rhymes Have I
Hadji, Marsinah and Beggars
Fate
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 2
Sung By
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, other marriage candidates and court 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
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City

Engagement Dates

Theatre

City and State

Dec 06, 1978 - Feb 11, 1979
Pantages Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
Nov 23, 1978 - Dec 02, 1978
Copley
San Diego, CA
Oct 31, 1978 - Nov 19, 1978
Arie Crown Theater
Chicago, IL
Sep 20, 1978 - Oct 28, 1978
Fisher Theatre
Detroit, MI