Will Irwin · aftercurtain

Shows & credits

Lute Song

Book · Musical · 1951

The plot focuses on Tsai-Yong (Cai Yong), a young student who leaves his wife Tchao-Ou-Niang and parents to make a name for himself. He becomes a notable magistrate, but when he marries Princess Nieou-Chi, he is forbidden by her father to contact his family. His impoverished parents die of starvation during a famine, and Tchao-Ou-Niang is forced to sell her hair to pay for their funeral. She ultimately is reunited with her husband by Nieou-Chi, and is welcomed to the palace as his #1 wife. Unlike the original work, Tsai-Yong has to decide between love and filial piety. Ultimately Tsai-Yong and Tchao-Ou-Niang are united.

Portofino

Music · Musical · 1958

Portofino is a musical with a book by Richard Ney (who also served as producer), lyrics by Ney and Sheldon Harnick, and music by Louis Bellson and Will Irwin. In his book on Broadway, The Season, William Goldman described its growing pains similarly to Buttrio Square and Breakfast at Tiffany's. Set in a piazza in the Italian resort town of Portofino, the plot involves auto-racing duke Nicky; his Texan rival Kitty; his granddaughter Angela, a practicing witch; the local padre; and his look-alike Guido, an emissary from the devil. When critics crucified the show during its Philadelphia tryout, Ney, the producer, left it to the cast to decide if they should continue to New York City, they voted to continue.

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