Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about Eden Sher. So, this month, I thought I’d use this entry to spotlight another Eden, offering subscribers — who comment below to alert me of their private, non-commercial interest — access to an audio recording of the first act from the original Broadway production of The Apple Tree (1966).
This musical, with songs by Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick, was basically three in one — each act a separate story: Mark Twain’s The Diaries Of Adam And Eve, Frank R. Stockton’s The Lady Or The Tiger? and Jules Feiffer’s Passionella. The original production starred Barbara Harris, Alan Alda, and Larry Blyden. Hal Linden succeeded Blyden by the time of this recording, allegedly dated to Harris’ last performance, October 31, 1967. Again, it’s only the first act — with Harris as Eve, Alda as Adam, and Linden as the Snake — but it’s a delightful memento of the best-remembered portion of this tuneful score. Here’s an excerpt — Harris honoring Eden!
Come back next month for another musical treat! And stay tuned tomorrow for more Middle!