It has been known by many titles: Piccadilly in the 60s, Blow Us a Kiss in the 80s, but Broadway historians and avid fans know it best by its official name, Busker Alley—and Musical Theatre West is hosting a one-night-only staged reading/singing of the storied musical this Sunday, August 17.
Scored by famed brothers Robert and Richard Sherman—the men behind Disney classics like Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book—with a book by AJ Corothers, the concept began when the brothers rediscovered an odd 1938 British film by the name of St. Martin’s Lane. Buying the rights, Picadilly was the name of the first musical based upon the film—but nothing came of it.
Rewritten and renamed in 1982 as Blow Us a Kiss, it still had no fire to light up a production until 1995, when Broadway star Tommy Tune took it on as Busker Alley. The musical has not seen the west coast since then—until now.
Dacie Roberts will direct the staged reading of the tale about a street performer and rising star’s relationship.
“I began working on this show back in 1995 as Libby [the female lead] in the National pre-Broadway tour,” Roberts said. “It really was a work-in-progress like many pre-Broadway productions are. We worked on the show every week and it went through numerous changes. To have the show close just 10 days short of arriving on Broadway was devastating.”
Set to be performed at CSULB’s University Theatre, the reading is truly a rarity.
“The Sherman Brothers music is timeless and has an incredible ability to be completely singable after hearing it once and incredibly deep and meaningful at the same time,” Roberts said. “Which is a perfect fit for AJ Carothers’ script. I’ve done many staged readings as an actor and it is a testament to the material when it stands alone and is effective storytelling even without a set, costumes and intricate lighting.”
Busker Alley is part of Musical Theatre West’s Reiner Staged Reading Series and will feature musical direction by David Lamoureux and David Catalan. The simplicity of the production—radio-like with performers holding scripts—is part of the allure.
“As is true to the nature of the business, you often are given the gift again,” Roberts said. “So perhaps the timing is right now. I think I can bring a unique perspective to the show from a director’s stand point and my love for the show has continued to grow over the years.”
For tickets or more information, call Musical Theatre West at (562) 856-1999, ext. 4 or click here.
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