The Night That Made America Famous

1975 musical revue featuring the songs of Harry Chapin

The Night That Made America Famous
Original Broadway Playbill
Music	Harry Chapin
Lyrics	Harry Chapin
Basis	The songs of Harry Chapin
Premiere	February 26, 1975 (1975-02-26)
Productions	1975 Broadway

The Night That Made America Famous is a 1975 musical revue featuring the songs of Harry Chapin. The music consists of a combination of songs written for the musical and songs from Chapin's four previous albums, the latter including "What Made America Famous?", a song about a plumber who rescues a group of hippies from a fire. A lyric from that song gives the musical its title.^[1]

Chapin appeared in the mixed–media musical, alongside a cast that included his brothers, Tom and Stephen, who were both featured performers and musicians.^[2] The production was directed by Gene Frankel. Originally scheduled to open February 4, 1975, it opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York on February 26, 1975, after fourteen previews, and closed on April 5, 1975 after 47 performances.^[3]

Cast

Alexandra Borrie
Harry Chapin
Stephen Chapin
Tom Chapin
Mercedes Ellington
Kelly Garrett
Delores Hall
Sid Marshall
Gilbert Price
Ernie Pyshe
Bill Starr
Lynne Thigpen

Awards and nominations

1975 Tony Award nominations

Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Gilbert Price
Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Kelly Garrett

1975 Drama Desk Award nominations

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Gilbert Price
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Kelly Garrett

References

^ "CLASSIC CONCERT: Harry Chapin's The Night That Made America Famous @ Ethel Barrymore Theatre / New York, NY / May 23, 1975". Music City Mike. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
^ Holden, Stephen (1985-04-30). "THE STAGE: STORIES BY CHAPIN". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
^ Gambaccini, Paul (January 16, 1975). "Harry & Sandy Chapin's Cat". Rolling Stone. p. 15.