Emerson Colonial Theatre Official Blog
LADY IN THE DARK played a pre-Broadway tryout from December 30, 1940 - January 11, 1941.Â
The musical was written by a team of heavy hitters, with music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book and direction by Moss Hart. The production started Gertrude Lawrence as the protagonist, Liza Elliott, an unhappy editor of a fashion magazine who is undergoing psychoanalysis. It also introduced performer Danny Kaye, who then made his Broadway debut in this same role.
Like other works by Kurt Weill, LADY IN THE DARK is not a traditional book musical. The show is divided into dialogue scenes portraying Liza's life and dream sequences portraying her fantasies and nightmares. The musical score is confined to the dream sequences.
Boston audiences responded positively to the new show. The audience was said to have been "in an uproar of excitement from 8:30pm to nearly 12am without allowing interest to flag until the final scene."
LADY IN THE DARK went on to run on Broadway at the Alvin Theater from January 20 - June 15.Â
Photo 1: Lady in the Dark Poster
Photo 2: Lady in the Dark Program
Photo 3:Â Donald Randolph and Gertrude Lawrence on stage in Lady in the Dark
Photo 4: Gertrude Lawrence in Lady in the Dark