Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! This month, I’m spotlighting a show that closed 55 years ago this month — September 1971. It’s Two By Two, the Richard Rodgers–Martin Charnin Noah’s Ark musical, with a book by Peter Stone based on Cliff Odets’ version of the story from his 1954 play The Flowering Peach, which focused on the relationships within Noah’s family.
Two By Two was a vehicle for song-and-dance man Danny Kaye. It opened on Broadway in November 1970 with a cast that also included Marilyn Cooper, Joan Copeland, and a young Madeline Kahn. Reviews were mixed, while gossip accrued about Kaye and his difficulty as a colleague. In particular, he had a habit of throwing out the book and doing whatever he wanted, along with an inclination towards professional jealousy. Those insecurities only increased as the run progressed, particularly once co-star Walter Willison was nominated for a Tony (and Kaye wasn’t). Those tensions hastened the original production’s closing, after which the show never had a major mounting, fodder mostly for churches and other amateur groups.
I’ve personally always liked the score. No, it’s not like Rodgers’ heyday with Hammerstein; not every song is a gem. But so much of the tunestack is funny, or melodious, or just right for the story. If you’re familiar with the cast album, Willison’s “I Do Not Know A Day I Did Not Love You” (below) is certainly a gorgeous standout, as is Kahn’s “The Golden Ram.” And Kaye, for his part, is sensitive in fare like “Hey Girlie,” and delightful in the bouncy “Ninety Again.”
From a soundboard audio of the Broadway production, presumably taken during the last week of the run in September 1971 (with replacements), here’s Danny Kaye and the title song. I offer this audio for curious subscribers who comment below to alert me of their private, educational, non-commercial interest. Listen to some of that ad-libbing!
I’m also offering a nearly-complete live audience recording from the show’s out-of-town tryout a year earlier. You’ll get to hear songs that were deleted before Broadway, including a sweet number for Madeline Kahn. Here’s “Getting Married To A Person.”
Over the last 25 years, there have been several small and concert productions here and there, some with Walter Willison as Noah. And Jason Alexander has played the role a few times — including for Reprise! in 2009. Others in that cast included Faith Prince, Steven Weber, Vicki Lewis, and Megan Hilty. Here’s a sample of an untracked audio of that production (also available in full to subscribers) — Alexander as Noah with the aforementioned “Ninety Again!” Enjoy this charming reflection of an underrated Richard Rodgers musical.
Come back next month for another musical treat! And stay tuned tomorrow for more Middle!