A Family Affair is a musical with a book by James Goldman and William Goldman, lyrics by James Goldman and John Kander, and music by Kander. This was Kander's first show, and his only one written without Fred Ebb. Originally planned as a project for Gertrude Berg to be directed by Jerome Robbins, it opened in Philadelphia directed instead by Word Baker, who recently had staged The Fantasticks off-Broadway. With everything from the script to the score to the set in disarray, theatre producer Hal Prince was brought in to replace Baker and repair the damage. Poor box office prevented the out-of-town tryout from being extended and Prince, making his directorial debut, brought the show to New York City knowing it was better but still in need of serious work. After five previews, the Broadway production opened on January 27 1962 at the Billy Rose Theatre, where it ran for 65 performances. The cast included neurotic comic Shelley Berman as Alfie, Eileen Heckart as Tillie, Rita Gardner as Sally, and Larry Kert as Gerry, with Morris Carnovsky, Cathryn Damon, and Linda Lavin in supporting roles. An original cast recording was released by United Artists Records.

A FAMILY AFFAIR TICKETS Cirque du Soleil Tickets Disney On Ice Tickets Radio City Christmas Spectacular Radio City Rockettes Tickets The Nutcracker Tickets Hamilton Tickets

Synopsis

In Chicago, Gerry Siegal and Sally Nathan, a young suburban Chicago couple, decide to marry. The bride's Uncle Alfie (her guardian) wants an intimate wedding and wages a war of words with the groom's entire family. The groom's brassy Jewish mother Tillie commandeers the planning, steering it towards a large country club wedding (despite her husband's scolding her for taking over). Caterers, dressmakers, band leaders, rabbis, florists, photographers and a bossy wedding planner are pushed to the limit by the madcap preparations. The bride and groom, who have retained their sanity, realize that their families have almost destroyed the wedding. They announce their intention to have a quiet family affair.

Song list

;Act I Anything for You Beautiful My Son, the Lawyer Every Girl Wants to Get Married Right Girls Kalua Bay There's a Room in My House Siegal Marching Song Nathan Marching Song Harmony

;Act II Now, Morris Wonderful Party Revenge Summer is Over Harmony (Reprise) I'm Worse Than Anybody What I Say Goes The Wedding

References