Camelot
Original Cast Recording
Music	Frederic Loewe
Lyrics	Alan Jay Lerner
Book	Alan Jay Lerner
Basis	The Once and Future King by T. H. White
Productions	1960 Broadway 1963 U.S. tour 1964 West End 1967 Film 1980 Broadway revival 1981 Broadway revival 1993 Broadway revival 2007 U.S. tour 2008 NY Philharmonic

Camelot is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederic Loewe (music). It is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from the T. H. White tetralogy novel The Once and Future King. Camelot is the 1967 film version of the successful musical of the same name. ... Frederic Loewe (June 10, 1901 - February 14, 1988) was a highly successful Austrian-American composer. ... Alan Jay Lerner (August 31, 1918 – June 14, 1986) was an American Broadway lyricist and librettist. ... Alan Jay Lerner (August 31, 1918 – June 14, 1986) was an American Broadway lyricist and librettist. ... The Once and Future King is an Arthurian fantasy novel written by T.H. White. ... Terence Hanbury White (May 29, 1906 – January 17, 1964) was an English writer, born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Camelot is the 1967 film version of the successful musical of the same name. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Philharmonic is the oldest active symphony orchestra in the United States, organized during 1842. ... Musical theater (or theatre) is a form of theatre combining music, songs, dance, and spoken dialogue. ... Alan Jay Lerner (August 31, 1918 – June 14, 1986) was an American Broadway lyricist and librettist. ... Frederic Loewe (June 10, 1901 - February 14, 1988) was a highly successful Austrian-American composer. ... For other uses, see King Arthur (disambiguation). ... Terence Hanbury White (May 29, 1906 – January 17, 1964) was an English writer, born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. ... The Once and Future King is an Arthurian fantasy novel written by T.H. White. ...

The original 1960 production, directed by Moss Hart, ran on Broadway for 873 performances, winning four Tony Awards and spawning several revivals, foreign productions and a 1967 film version. The original cast album was America's top-selling LP for 60 weeks.^[1] The musical has become associated with the Kennedy Administration. Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright and director of plays and musical theater. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American theatre and are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League [1] at an annual ceremony in New York City. ... Camelot is the 1967 film version of the successful musical of the same name. ... John Kennedy and JFK redirect here. ...

Background

In 1959, Alan Jay Lerner and Moss Hart decided to adapt T. H. White's Once and Future King as their next project. As discussed in Lerner's 1978 book, The Street Where I Live, Frederick Loewe, who had no interest in the project, agreed to write music, with the understanding that if things went badly, it would be his last score.^[2] After the tremendous success of My Fair Lady, expectations were high for a new Lerner and Loewe musical. However, the show's production met several obstacles. Lerner's wife left him during the writing process,^[3] causing him to seek medical attention and delaying the production. When Camelot began rehearsals, it still needed considerable work. However, the producers were able to secure a strong cast including Julie Andrews, Richard Burton and Roddy McDowall, as well as Robert Goulet in his first Broadway role. John Cullum also made his Broadway debut as Sir Dinadan; Bruce Yarnell was Sir Lionel. Cullum later replaced McDowall, and William Squire replaced Burton. Other replacements included Patricia Bredin, Kathryn Grayson, and Janet Pavek for Andrews. Alan Jay Lerner (August 31, 1918 – June 14, 1986) was an American Broadway lyricist and librettist. ... Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright and director of plays and musical theater. ... Frederic Loewe, an Austrian-American composer (June 10, 1901 - February 14, 1988) worked with lyricist Alan J. Lerner in musical theater. ... My Fair Lady is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, based on George Bernard Shaws Pygmalion. ... Lerner and Loewe is a designation for the musical comedy writing team of lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe. ... Dame Julie Elizabeth Andrews, DBE (born Julia Elizabeth Wells[1] on 1 October 1935[2]) is an award-winning English actress, singer, author and cultural icon. ... For other persons named Richard Burton, see Richard Burton (disambiguation). ... Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (September 17, 1928 – October 3, 1998) was an English/American actor. ... Robert Gerard Goulet (November 26, 1933 – October 30, 2007) was a Grammy- and Tony Award- winning Canadian entertainer. ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... John Cullum is an American actor and singer. ... Bruce Yarnell (December 28, 1935 – November 30, 1973)1 was an American actor who co-starred in the second season (1961-1962) of NBCs Western television series Outlaws, set in the lawless Oklahoma Territory. ... William Squire (29 April 1916 - 3 May 1989) was a British actor of film and television. ... Patricia Bredin (born 1934) from Hull, England was the first United Kingdom representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. ... Kathryn Grayson (born February 9, 1922) is an American actress and singer who was born Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. ... Janet Pavek (12 August 1936, — 6 January 2009) was an American operatic soprano and musical theatre actress. ...

The show's first tryout was in Toronto, at the O'Keefe Centre in 1960. The curtain came down at twenty minutes to one in the morning; Lerner later noted that "Only Tristan and Isolde equaled it as a bladder endurance contest."^[4] The morning papers, though kind, hinted that the show needed much work in order to succeed. Lerner was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer and had to withdraw from preparations for a time. Hart then suffered a heart attack, and Lerner stepped in as temporary director for the rest of the out-of-town run at the behest of Kitty Carlisle Hart. Camelot then moved to Boston, nearly an hour and a half shorter, but still running very long. The production team tried to find another director, even phoning Jose Ferrer, who could not undertake the job.^[5] Lerner and Loewe disagreed on how to proceed with the show, as Loewe did not want to make any major changes without Hart's guidance. Lerner wrote: "God knows what would have happened had it not been for Richard Burton." Accepting cuts and changes, he radiated a "faith and geniality" and calmed the fears of the cast.^[6] Guenevere's song "Before I Gaze at You Again" was given to Andrews at the last minute before the first New York preview, which provoked her famous quote, "Of course darling, but do try to get it to me the night before."^[7] After the show opened on Broadway, Hart was released from the hospital, and he and Lerner began cutting the play even further. Two songs, "Then You May Take Me To the Fair" and "Fie on Goodness," were cut. The Hummingbird Centre The Hummingbird Centre is a major performing arts venue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Tristan und Isolde (Tristan and Isolde) is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner to a German libretto by the composer, based largely on the romance by Gottfried von Straßburg. ... Kitty Carlisle Hart (also billed as Kitty Carlisle) (September 3, 1910 – April 17, 2007)[1][2][3] was an American singer, actress and spokeswoman for the arts. ... José Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintron, known as José Ferrer (January 8, 1912-January 26, 1992), was an actor and director, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. ...

The advance sale for the show was the largest in Broadway history.^[8] The New York critics' reviews of the original production were mixed.^[9] Fortunately for the show, Ed Sullivan approached Lerner and Loewe to create a segment for his TV show "Toast of the Town," celebrating the fifth anniversary of My Fair Lady. They decided to do very little from their previous hit and instead to perform four highlights from Camelot. The show stimulated ticket sales, and Camelot achieved an unprecedented advance sale of three and a half million dollars.^[10] It was also publicized, just after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (a classmate of Lerner at Harvard),^[11] that the show's original cast recording had been favorite bedtime listening in the White House, and that Kennedy's favorite lines were in the final number (in which Arthur knights a young boy and tells him to pass on the story of Camelot to future generations): For other persons named Edward Sullivan, see Edward Sullivan (disambiguation). ... John Kennedy and JFK redirect here. ... Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and a member of the Ivy League. ... A cast recording or original cast recording is a recording of a musical that is intended to document the songs as they were performed in the show and experienced by the audience. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Knight (disambiguation) or Knights (disambiguation). ... This article is about the mythical castle. ...

Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot,
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as Camelot.

Since then, Camelot has been associated with the Kennedy Administration.^[12][8] John Kennedy and JFK redirect here. ...

The obstacles encountered in producing Camelot were hard on the creative partnership of Lerner and Loewe, and the show turned out to be one of their last collaborations (although they did rejoin each other to adapt their 1958 award-winning movie "Gigi" to the stage in 1973; and collaborated again the following year on the movie musical "The Little Prince"). Camelot was also Hart's last Broadway show. He died of a heart attack in Palm Springs, California on December 20, 1961.^[13] Lerner and Loewe is a designation for the musical comedy writing team of lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe. ... Gigi is a 1945 novel by the French sentimental romance writer Colette about a wealthy cultured man of fashion who discovers that he is in love with a young Parisian girl who is being groomed for a career as a grande cocotte, and eventually marries her. ... The Little Prince (French: Le Petit Prince), published in 1943, is French aviator Antoine de Saint Exupérys most famous novella, which he wrote in the United States while renting The Bevin House in Asharoken, New York, on Long Island. ... is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The 1960 Original Broadway Cast Recording CD cover

Productions

On December 3, 1960, after two previews, the show opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre. The production was directed by Moss Hart and ran for 873 performances, winning four Tony Awards. The original cast album was America's top-selling LP for 60 weeks.^[1] A two-year U.S. tour followed the Broadway closing in January 1963, starring Kathryn Grayson and William Squire, who was succeeded by Louis Hayward. There was also a 1963-64 bus-and-truck tour starring Biff McGuire as Arthur, Jeannie Carson as Guenevere, and Sean Garrison as Lancelot. An Australian production opened in Adelaide in October 1963 produced by the J. C. Williamson company and ran for two years.^[1] For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... This article is about the Broadway theater. ... Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright and director of plays and musical theater. ... The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American theatre and are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League [1] at an annual ceremony in New York City. ... Louis Hayward, born Seafield Grant, (March 19, 1909-February 21, 1985), was a British actor born in Johannesburg, South Africa. ... Biff McGuire is an American actor who was born in New Haven, Connecticut on the 25 October 1926. ... Jeannie Carson (birthname: Jean Schufflebottom, b. ... James Cassius Williamson (August 26, 1845 - July 6, 1913) was an actor and theatrical manager, was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania. ...

The London production opened in August 1964 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and featured Laurence Harvey as Arthur, Elizabeth Larner as Guenevere and Barry Kent as Lancelot. It played for 518 performances. The film version was made in 1967 starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave. Currently home to Lord Of The Rings, the musical. ... Laurence Harvey (October 1, 1928 – November 25, 1973) was an Academy Award-nominated Lithuanian-born actor who achieved fame in British and American films. ... Elizabeth Larner was a British actress and a singer with a powerful soprano voice. ... Camelot is the 1967 film version of the successful musical of the same name. ... For other persons named Richard Harris, see Richard Harris (disambiguation). ... Vanessa Redgrave, CBE (born 30 January 1937) is an Academy Award winning English actress and member of the Redgrave family, one of the enduring theatrical dynasties. ...

Richard Burton reprised his role as Arthur in a revival that ran during the summer of 1980 at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. Christine Ebersole played Guenevere, and Richard Muenz was Lancelot. , The New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, seen from the Lincoln Center Plaza. ... The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. ... Christine Ebersole (b. ... Richard Muenz (born 9 March 1948) is an American actor and baritone who is mostly known for his work within American theatre. ...

The show was revived on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater in November 1981 and broadcast on HBO a year later, starring Richard Harris as Arthur, Meg Bussert as Guenevere, and Richard Muenz as Lancelot. Harris, who had starred in the film, and Muenz also took the show on tour nationwide. Another Broadway revival played in June 1993 for 56 performances at the George Gershwin Theatre, with Goulet now cast in the role of Arthur. Goulet reprised this role at Toronto's O'Keefe Centre in 1993.^[8] The Winter Garden Theatre is located at Broadway and 50th Street in New York City. ... See also: Musical groups established in 1981 Record labels established in 1981 list of years in music // January 10 - Revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadways Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith February 14 - Billy Idol leaves the band Generation... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Richard Harris, see Richard Harris (disambiguation). ... The George Gershwin Theatre, located at 222 West 51st Street in New York City, was originally built as the Uris Theatre in 1972. ...

A U.S. Regional tour, starring Michael York as Arthur, James Barbour as Lancelot, and Rachel York as Guenevere, kicked off on January 9, 2007 and continues in 2008. Alan Jay Lerner's son, Michael Lerner, contributed changes to the libretto, and Glenn Casale directs. The cast also includes Shannon Stoeke as Mordred and Eric Anderson as Merlyn. Notable cast replacements include Lou Diamond Phillips as Arthur, Matt Bogart as Lancelot, and Rachel De Benedet as Guenevere.^[14] From June 27-30, 2007, the tour played at Toronto's Hummingbird Centre, formerly the O'Keefe Centre, where the musical had premiered in 1960.^[15] For the American hockey player, see Mike York. ... James Stacy Barbour For the Virginian statesman, see James Barbour. ... Rachel York (born Rachel Lemanski on August 7, 1971 in Orlando, Florida) is an American actress and singer. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Michael Lerner is the name of several notable people from the Americans: Michael Lerner, rabbi and left-wing political activist Michael Lerner, actor Michael Lerner, retailer with Lerner Stores Categories: Disambiguation ... Shannon Stoeke is an American stage actor who played the role of Mordred in the revival of Camelot starring Michael York. ... Eric Anderson (14 December 1972- ) is an American professional actor. ... Lou Diamond Phillips (born February 17, 1962) is an American film and television actor. ...

From May 7 to May 10, 2008, the New York Philharmonic presented five semi-staged concerts of Camelot directed by Lonny Price and produced by Thomas Z. Shepard. The cast starred Gabriel Byrne as King Arthur, Marin Mazzie as Guenevere, and opera singer Nathan Gunn as Lancelot. It also featured Christopher Lloyd as Pellinore, Marc Kudisch as Lionel, Bobby Steggert as Mordred, Will Swenson as Sagramore, Christopher Seiber as Dinadan and Fran Drescher as Morgan le Fey. The May 8 performance was broadcast nationally on Live from Lincoln Center on PBS.^[16] is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Philharmonic is the oldest active symphony orchestra in the United States, organized during 1842. ... Lonny Price (born March 9, 1959) is an American actor, writer, and director, primarily in theatre. ... Thomas Z. Shepard is a recording producer who is most well-known for his recordings of Broadway musicals, especially the works of Stephen Sondheim. ... Gabriel Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor. ... For other uses, see King Arthur (disambiguation). ... Marin Mazzie (born October 9, 1960) is an American actress and singer best known for her work in musical theater. ... Nathan Gunn is a baritone opera singer from the United States. ... For other persons named Christopher Lloyd, see Christopher Lloyd (disambiguation). ... Marc Kudisch is an American stage actor. ... Bobby Steggert, in a still from the opening sequence of All My Children. ... William Swenson (born October 26, 1973 in Provo, Utah) is an American actor, writer, and director best known for his role as Jonathan Jordan in the LDS Cinema movie The Singles Ward. ... Francine Joy Drescher (born September 30, 1957) is an American film and television actress. ... Live from Lincoln Center is an ongoing television concert series on PBS. It premiered in 1976 and is still running, although it is not a daily, weekly, or even monthly program. ... PBS redirects here. ...

Roles and original cast

• King Arthur - Richard Burton
• Queen Guenevere - Julie Andrews
• Sir Lancelot - Robert Goulet
• Merlyn - David Hurst
• Pellinore - Robert Coote
• Mordred - Roddy McDowall
• Sir Dinadan - John Cullum
• Morgan Le Fey - M'el Dowd
• Lady Catherine - Virginia Allen
• Nimue - Marjorie Smith
• Sir Lionel - Bruce Yarnell
• Sir Ozanna - Michael Kermoyan
• Sir Gwilliam - Jack Dabdoub
• Sir Sagramore - James Gannon
• Lady Anne - Christina Gillespie
• Squire Dap - Michael Clarke-Laurence
• Clarius - Richard Kuch
• Tom of Warwick - Robin Stewart

For other uses, see King Arthur (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Richard Burton, see Richard Burton (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Guinevere (disambiguation). ... Dame Julie Elizabeth Andrews, DBE (born Julia Elizabeth Wells[1] on 1 October 1935[2]) is an award-winning English actress, singer, author and cultural icon. ... For other uses, see Lancelot (disambiguation) and Sir Lancelot (disambiguation). ... Robert Gerard Goulet (November 26, 1933 – October 30, 2007) was a Grammy- and Tony Award- winning Canadian entertainer. ... Merlyn can refer to: T.H. Whites name for the wizard Merlin in his work, The Once and Future King The Book of Merlyn, the lost fifth book of The Once and Future King Baron Merlyn Rees, the 20th Century British politician Categories: Disambiguation | Arthurian legend ... David Hurst (born in Berlin as Heinrich Theodor Hirsch) is a British-German actor. ... King Pellinore is the king of Listenoise or of the Isles (possibly Anglesey, or perhaps the medieval kingdom of the same name), according to the Arthurian legend. ... Robert Coote (with Robert Ryan) in Berlin Express Robert Coote (February 4, 1909 - November 26, 1982) was a London-born film actor. ... For other uses, see Mordred (disambiguation). ... Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (September 17, 1928 – October 3, 1998) was an English/American actor. ... How King Makre and Sir Dinadan heard Sir Palomides makeing great sarrow and mourning for La Beale Isoud by Aubrey Beardsley Sir Dinadan is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. ... John Cullum is an American actor and singer. ... Morgan le Fay, by Anthony Frederick Sandys (1829 - 1904), 1864 (Birmingham Art Gallery): A spell-brewing Morgaine distinctly of Tennysons generation In the mythology of King Arthur, Morgan le Fay, alternatively known as Morgaine, Morgain or Morgana and a slew of related name variants, is a powerful sorceress and... Mel Dowd or Mel Dowd (born , 1940) is an American stage and screen actress whose career has spanned over 50 years. ...

Synopsis

Act I

King Arthur is nervous about his upcoming arranged marriage and is hiding in a tree. Merlyn the Magician, his wise tutor, calls Arthur down to warn the young king that he must learn to think for himself. Merlyn, who lives backwards in time and remembers the future as well as the past, knows he will soon be separated from Arthur. Merlyn persuades Arthur to climb down and chides him for his unkingly behavior. Arthur then left alone, ponders both his subjects and his own feelings about the intended nuptials ("I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight?"). Arthur hears someone coming and scampers up the tree again. Guenevere comes to the woods, uncertain about herself and the impending marriage ("Simple Joys of Maidenhood"). She stumbles into Arthur, who initially calls himself "Wart" (his childhood nickname) and then, hearing of her reluctance to marry, tells her of the joys of life in Camelot ("Camelot"). When his attendants come upon the two of them, he is revealed as the King. He tells Guenevere the story of how he pulled the sword from the stone and became king, and she, charmed by the story, agrees to marry him. The wizard Merlyn is amused by this development, but his joy turns to sorrow as his memories of the future begin to fade. He realizes that Nimue, a beautiful water nymph, has come to draw him into her cave for an eternal sleep ("Follow Me"). He begs Nimue for answers, as he has forgotten if he has warned Arthur about two individuals-Lancelot and Mordred. His memories fade permanently, though, and he is led away.

Five years later, Arthur sits with Guenevere in his study, debating about what to do. He explains that he wishes to create a new kind of knight-one that does not pillage and fight, but tries to uphold honor and justice. He is eventually inspired, with Guenevere's help, to establish the Round Table to "fight for right, not might." When news of this reaches young Lancelot in France five years later, he is determined to come to Camelot and join Arthur's knights ("C'est Moi"). King Pellinore (a middle-aged old friend of Arthur's from his boyhood), also arrives and becomes a permanent guest of Arthur and Guenevere. A May Day celebration takes place on the castle grounds ("The Lusty Month of May"), where Arthur introduces his wife to Lancelot. Guenevere takes an instant dislike to the overly self-assured young man (as do also most of the rest of the court). Guenevere incites three knights of the Round Table: Sir Dinadan, Sir Sagramore and Sir Lionel, to engage him in a jousting match ("Then You May Take Me to the Fair"). Arthur (who has now become "best friends" with Lancelot), is dismayed by this; and at a loss to understand a woman's way ("How to Handle a Woman").

In the jousting match Lancelot easily defeats all three knights. He appears to kill the third, Lionel, with his jousting lance. But the dismay of the crowd turns to awe and adoration, as he "miraculously" restores the dead Sir Lionel to life, (due to his faith and purity). This adoration of the crowd extends to Guenevere, who is forced to re-evaluate her feelings about the passionate young knight ("Before I Gaze at You Again"). She is now deeply in love with Lancelot. Lancelot falls in love with Guenevere in turn, and is torn by the conflict between this love and his devotion to Arthur. Arthur makes Lancelot a Knight of the Round Table. Arthur is painfully aware of the feelings between Lancelot and Guenevere, but remains silent to preserve the tranquility of Camelot. He soliloquizes to his sword Excalibur, that they will all rise to the challenges they will all face, together.

Act II

Several years later, Guenevere and Lancelot are still tormented by their unfulfilled love. He finally reveals his feelings to her ("If Ever I Would Leave You"). They both believe that Arthur is not aware of it. Nevertheless, she remains faithful to Arthur, and helps him in carrying out the affairs of State.

Mordred, Arthur's illegitimate son, comes to Camelot to dishonor the King and tries to gain the throne for himself. Arthur puts him in the knights’ training program, not knowing that Mordred is there to destroy the Round Table in revenge against Arthur for abandoning him ("Seven Deadly Virtues"). Arthur begins to feel the strain of ruling England, and both he and Guenevere wonder "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" without any such responsibilities. Morded, meanwhile, has devised a plan to ruin Arthur and his kingdom permanently. He enters an enchanted glade where his aunt, the sorceress Morgan le Fay, dwells in an invisible castle. By bribing her with sweets, he convinces her to build one of her invisible walls around Arthur for one night ("The Persuasion"). During this night, Mordred returns to the castle and provokes the knights to ally with him, promising that they will have fighting and pillaging as opposed to their current peaceful ways ("Fie on Goodness!"). Meanwhile, Lancelot visits Guenevere in her chambers, where she reveals her love for him and kisses him ("I Loved You Once in Silence"). Mordred and some of the Knights of the Round Table interrupt, accuse Lancelot of treason, and try to take him prisoner. Lancelot fights them off and escapes, but Guenevere is arrested, tried, found guilty of treason by reason of her infidelity, and sentenced to be burned at the stake ("Guenevere"). At the execution Arthur watches from a distance; he is torn between upholding his law and doing his duty as a king, or sparing Guenevere (as Mordred insincerely urges him to do). At the last moment, Lancelot rescues her and takes her off with him to France. But in the process, Lancelot has been forced to kill some of the other knights, leaving some of the survivors vowing revenge.

For the sake of his own honor and that of Camelot, Arthur must now wage war against Lancelot at his castle Joyous Garde in France. Mordred has taken up his own army against Arthur, back in England. The war takes a terrible toll on Camelot, as more than half of the Knights of the Round Table are killed. Before the final battle, Arthur meets Lancelot and Guenevere, the latter of whom has joined a convent and become a nun. They offer to face up to justice in England, but Arthur will not see Guenevere burned or Lancelot beheaded. He forgives them both, and they depart separately. That night in camp, Arthur meets a young stowaway named Tom of Warwick, who has come to join the Round Table. His speech reminds Arthur of the idealism and hope that he had as a young king, and inspires him. Arthur knights Tom, and sends him back to England to grow up there, that he might pass on to future generations the ideals of chivalry and Camelot ("Camelot" reprise).

Musical numbers

The Camelot songs are musical numbers from the Broadway productions of Camelot (musical) and the 1967 Camelot (film). ... In Arthurian legend, The Lady of the Lake gave King Arthur the sword known as Excalibur. ... Bors chooses to save a maiden rather than his brother Lionel Sir Lionel is the younger son of King Bors of Gaunnes (or Gaul) and brother of Bors the Younger in Arthurian legend. ... Sir Sagramore is a Knight of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. ... How King Makre and Sir Dinadan heard Sir Palomides makeing great sarrow and mourning for La Beale Isoud by Aubrey Beardsley Sir Dinadan is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. ... The Camelot songs are musical numbers from the Broadway productions of Camelot (musical) and the 1967 Camelot (film). ... For other uses, see Mordred (disambiguation). ...

Critical assessments

The New York critics' reviews of the original production were mixed.^[9] A 1993 New York Times review commented that the musical "has grown in stature over the years, primarily because of its superb score.... [which] combined a lyrical simplicity with a lush romanticism, beautifully captured in numbers like 'I Loved You Once in Silence' and 'If Ever I Would Leave You.' These ballads sung by Guenevere and Lancelot are among the most memorable in the Lerner-Loewe catalogue. King Arthur supplies the wit, with songs like 'I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight.'"^[8] A 2003 review noted, "this musically rich, legend-based classic evokes enough swashbuckling spectacle to keep one smiling. And for lovers of dime-store romance, Camelot has it all – a beautiful English princess swept off her feet by a shy, but passionate bachelor king; an ardent French knight, torn between devotion to his liege and an uncontrollable hunger, reciprocated, to be sure, for the king's tempestuous wife.... Camelot features a score rich in English country-tune charm by Mr. Lerner. [sic: Loewe wrote the music] Its lyrics, by Mr. Loewe [sic: Lerner wrote the lyrics], never fail to dazzle with their virtuosity and wit."^[17] However, "Jay Lerner's murky book... has helped sink many a revival of the musical.... It's a good story, but Lerner's book is talky and dense, filled with pontificating soliloquies that would have been more powerfully contained in song. Moreover, while the entire show rushes towards a bloody climax... when it finally arrives, it is merely sketched upon in one song, "Guinevere." ...The score, though, is pure magic"^[18] The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ...

Awards and nominations

1961 Tony Awards The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American theatre and are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League [1] at an annual ceremony in New York City. ...

• Best Actor in a Musical - Richard Burton (winner)
• Best Scenic Design (Musical) - Oliver Smith (winner)
• Best Costume Design (Musical) - Adrian, Tony Duquette (winner)
• Best Conductor and Musical Director - Franz Allers (winner)
• Best Actress in a Musical - Julie Andrews (nominee)

1961 Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor given annually to an actor or an actress in recognition of an outstanding breakout performance in their New York City stage debut. ...

• Robert Goulet (winner)

Original cast recording chart positions

The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart is a 1960 live album by comedian Bob Newhart. ... George Robert Bob Newhart (born September 5, 1929) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. ... The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. ... These are the number-one albums in the United States per Billboard magazine during the year 1961. ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Notes

References

• Lerner, Alan Jay. The Street Where I Live (1978) W. W. Norton & Company ISBN 0-393-07532
• Summary, production, and licensing information at Tams-Witmark
• Camelot Audition Advice & Show Information from MusicalTheatreAudition.com
• Synopsis and profile of the show
• Profile of the show and information about the 2007 National Tour
• Background of the show and commentary by Judy Harris
• Kantor, Michael and Maslon, Laurence. Broadway: The American Musical. Bluefinch Press, New York, 2004. ISBN 0-8212-2905-2

External links

• analysis of the show
• information about the show from theatrehistory.com
• Camelot at the IBDB database
• profile of the Majestic Theatre from Playbill
• information about recordings