MOLLY: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL (1973) BOOK by Louis Garfinkle and Leonard Adelson MUSIC by Jerry Livingston LYRICS by Leonard Adelson and Mack David DIRECTOR: Alan Arkin (replacing Paul Aaron) CHOREOGRAPHER: Grover Dale (replacing Bert Michaels) PRODUCERS: Don Saxon, Don Kaufman, George Daley Based on characters from THE GOLDBERGS by Gertrude Berg Original cast: Kaye Ballard (as Kay Ballard) Molly Goldberg Lee Wallace Jake Goldberg Daniel Fortus Sammy Goldberg Lisa Rochelle Rosie Goldberg Swen Swenson Michael Stone Eli Mintz Uncle David For additional production information: Internet Broadway Database Al Hirschfeld drawing reproduced by special arrangement with Hirschfeld’s exclusive representative, The Margo Feiden Galleries Ltd., New York

LISTEN TO SEVERAL SONGS FROM MOLLY

	Leonard Nimoy interviews Kaye Ballard and the MOLLY cast     This ten-minute interview was broadcast in November 1973 on the AM New York television program, with host Leonard Nimoy. In addition to sharing tidbits about the show, Ballard, Eli Mintz and Daniel Fortus, with Jerry Goldberg at the piano, sing the following numbers, which you can also hear separately:
	If Everyone Got What They Wanted (excerpt)   Vocalist: Kaye Ballard & Eli Mintz Lyricist: Mack David
	In Your Eyes    Vocalist: Daniel Fortus Lyricist: Mack David
	Appointments Vocalist: Eli Mintz Lyricist: Leonard Adelson
	A Piece of the Rainbow Vocalist: Kaye Ballard Lyricist: Mack David
The next four songs, with lyrics by Leonard Adelson, are taken from a cassette tape made from an undated recording session by uncredited singers and musicians. The recording was never commercially released and its purposes are unknown. The arrangements are overly brassy, but the charm of the music comes through.
	Sunshinny California    This song was cut from the Broadway show.
	I've Got A Molly    This one remained in the Broadway show.
	The Afternoon Of Our Years    A beautiful song that was cut from the Broadway show
	The Kinder   Another lovely number cut from Broadway.
The closing number from MOLLY appeared in my revue, FROM TIN PAN ALLEY TO SILICON ALLEY
	Go In The Best Of Health   READ THE LYRICS Vocalists: Jody Ebling, Jan Peters, Tim Sawyer, Dane Vannatter Pianist: Doug Hammer Lyricist: Leonard Adelson

TED CHAPIN TELLS SOME MOLLY STORIES If It Only Even Runs A Minute, created by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, Kevin Michael Murphy and Caleb Hoyer, was a long-running concert series devoted to presenting back-stage tales and rare songs from “underappreciated Broadway musicals.” On June 17, 2012, at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge, one segment of the show featured Ted Chapin, assistant director of Molly, giving a candid and amusing account of attempts by himself and the new director, Alan Arkin, to improve the musical after it’s out-of-town tryout. He is followed by Etai BenShlomo singing “In Your Eyes," a lovely ballad from Molly. Caleb Hoyer is at the piano.

INFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOLLY by Dennis Livingston My father, Jerry Livingston, had a long and successful career as a songwriter, which you can read about at ABOUT JERRY. He made one attempt at achieving fame on Broadway by joining the creative team that put together a musical called MOLLY. Alas, it was not to be. MOLLY opened at the Alvin Theater in New York on November 1, 1973 and had a run of 68 shows (including previews) before closing. An original cast album was never produced. What is MOLLY about? The musical is based on characters created by Gertrude Berg for THE GOLDBERGS, a radio and television show that became an icon of American popular entertainment over the course of almost 30 years. Indeed, for many who lived through the Depression and war years, or who remember the early days of television, the indomitable Molly Goldberg, her husband Jake, Uncle David, and the children, Sammy and Rosie, were extensions of their own families. There was much about the Goldbergs that rested on a recognizably Jewish approach to the world, including the shtetl-like atmosphere of their Bronx neighborhood. At the same time, the problems, petty arguments and occasional triumphs of this family has always held universal appeal. In writing MOLLY, my father and his collaborators presented, in effect, one compelling episode in the life of the Goldbergs, centered around the crisis created for each family member when Jake loses his tailoring job at the beginning of the Depression. The show revolves around Molly's frustrated attempts to make things right at a time when that is increasingly difficult - until "Mrs. Fix-It" comes up with one final entrepreneurial stroke of genius. Why did MOLLY flop? The usual suspects: Creative differences. Conflicting visions. Changes in the director and other staff. Mixed to poor reviews. Not least, the heartbreaking death of original lyricist Leonard Adelson while the show was in rehearsal for tryouts, which then entailed a substantial rewrite of the script and score when Mack David was brought onboard. Is MOLLY worth a second look? I can't really be objective about this, but: The show has a genealogy that reaches into the storied past of a legendary American entertainer. It evokes a slice of American life that resonates with many. It is still remembered fondly by those who saw it so long ago. It has songs worth rediscovery by cabaret singers and anybody else interested in "forgotten Broadway." A concert version, if not a fully mounted production, is doable. A revised book is possible and probably desirable. So, nu? Did Molly herself ever give up on anything? MOLLY Discography Kaye Ballard recorded several songs from MOLLY on her CD, THEN AND AGAIN, Original Cast Records (OC 9365). For recording details and links to sites that sell this CD (if still in stock), go to CAST ALBUMS For additional information about Ballard recordings from MOLLY, see Show Music on Record: Molly: List of Productions CONTACT DENNIS to request further information and copies of surviving scripts and lead sheets. The message should include your name, institution, address, phone, e-mail and website.

MOLLY playlist for the New York opening (lyrics by Mack David and Leonard Adelson) ACT ONE   There’s A New Deal on the Way (David) Angelina & Company If Everyone Got What They Wanted (David) Molly & Company A Piece of the Rainbow (David) Molly Cahoots (David) Michael & Molly Sullivan’s Got a Job (Adelson) Company In Your Eyes (David) Sammy Cahoots (reprise) Molly & Belle High Class Ladies & Elegant Gentlemen (David) Michael, Stella & The Goldbergs So I’ll Tell Him (David) Molly Appointments (Adelson) Uncle David There’s Gold on the Trees (David) Jake, Molly & Company     ACT TWO   The Mandarin Palace on the Grand Concourse (David) Company I Want to Share It with You (David) Michael, Stella & Company In Your Eyes (reprise) Sammy I Was There (David) Molly & Jake Oak Leaf Memorial Park (Adelson) Molly If Everyone Got What They Wanted (reprise) Uncle David & Rosalie I See A Man Molly The Tremont Avenue Cruisewear Fashion Show (Adelson) Company I’ve Got a Molly (Adelson) Jake Go in the Best of Health (Adelson) Molly MOLLY playlist from the earliest version of the script (all lyrics by Adelson) ACT ONE   I Had A Night Molly with Mrs Cramer, Frazzini, Seidenschneer, Bloom, Housewives You Remember Molly & Jake The Afternoon Of Our Years Molly & Jake I’ve Got A Molly Jake It Pays To Have Friends Molly Oh, There You Are It Pays To Have Friends (reprise) Company Molly Now That You Mention It Molly & Zizi Mothers Now That You Mention It (reprise) Belle & Zizi If You Love A Man Molly What Else Is There To Do? Boys & Girls Before Your Very Eyes You Remember (reprise) Molly Jake Appointments Uncle David Cancelling Company Sunshinny California Goldberg Family     ACT TWO   Peter Rabbit Company The Kinder Jake & Sammy Oak Leaf Memorial Park Molly Simon’s Song Family Maybe I Ought To Say Jake & David The Kinder (reprise) Molly Go In The Best Of Health Molly Yoo-Hoo Molly The Tremont Avenue Cruise Wear Fashion Show Company Molly (reprise) Jake Go In The Best Of Health (reprise) Molly Links for Gertrude Berg and The Goldbergs As a scriptwriter, author, actress, businesswoman and force of nature in her own right, Gertrude Berg deserves remembering for her rich life and pioneering contributions to American entertainment. Here are some sites with further information: Molly & Me (Amazon.com) Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg (documentary about Gertrude Berg)   Other Jerry Livingston pages: ABOUT JERRY ASCAP AUDIO PORTRAIT ABOUT MAIRZY DOATS ABOUT MOLLY LISTEN TO A FEW OF JERRY'S SONGS JERRY LIVINGSTON HOME PAGE