Info, tickets, merch, rights, and more. Your home for all things Broadway.

The Most Happy Fella

The Most Happy Fella

by Frank Loesser

Based on a Play
Classic
Critically-Acclaimed

Playing at a Theatre Near You

Buy Tickets

The Most Happy Fella

The Most Happy Fella





A musical/opera from Frank Loesser based on the play, "They Knew What They Wanted" by Sidney Howard.


Story:

Tony Esposito, an old vineyard owner, proposes marriage to Rosabella via mail. Thinking the picture Tony sent to her is her intended, she agrees to marry him, but upon discovering what he actually looks like, turns instead to the man who was pictured, his ranch foreman, Joe.


Get Tickets for The Most Happy Fella Apply for Production Rights View Song Lyrics

Composer

Composer, Lyricist and Librettist
Frank Loesser



Broadway Premiere

Theatre
Imperial Theatre, Broadway Theatre
Opening Night
May 3, 1956
Total Performances
676
Original Cast
Robert Weede, Jo Sullivan, Art Lund, Susan Johnson, Shorty Long, Mona Paulee
Director
Joseph Anthony
Choreographer
Dania Krupska
Producer
Kermit Bloomgarden and Lynn Loesser
Orchestrations
Don Walker
Scenic Design
Jo Mielziner
Costume Design
Motley
Lighting Design
Jo Mielziner

1959 Broadway Revival

Theatre
City Center
Opening Night
Feb 10, 1959
Total Performances
16
Original Cast
Libi Staiger, Paula Stewart, Bernadette Peters, Art Lund, Bruce MacKay, Kenneth Lane, Jack De Leon, Norman Atkins, Muriel Birkhead, Johnny Borden
Director
Dania Krupska
Choreographer
Arthur Partington
Producer
New York City Center Light Opera Company
Musical Director
Abba Bogin
Scenic Design
Jo Mielziner
Costume Design
Ruth Morley
Lighting Design
Jo Mielziner

1979 Broadway Revival

Theatre
Majestic Theatre
Opening Night
Oct 11, 1979
Total Performances
53
Original Cast
Giorgio Tozzi, Sharon Daniels, Louisa Flaningam, Adrienne Leonetti, Richard Muenz, Darren Nimnicht, Franco Spoto, Gene Varrone, Dennis Warning
Director
Jack O'Brien
Choreographer
Graciela Daniele
Producer
Sherwin M. Goldman
Musical Director
Andrew Meltzer
Orchestrations
Don Walker
Scenic Design
Douglas W. Schmidt
Costume Design
Nancy Potts
Lighting Design
Gilbert V. Hemsley, Jr.

1992 Broadway Revival

Theatre
Booth Theatre
Opening Night
Feb 13, 1992
Total Performances
229
Original Cast
Sophie Hayden, Spiro Malas, Claudia Catania, Buddy Crutchfield, Liz Larsen, Mark Lotito, Bill Nabel, Charles Pistone, Scott Waara
Director
Gerald Gutierrez
Choreographer
Liza Gennaro
Producer
The Goodspeed Opera House, Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre, Lincoln Center Theater, The Shubert Organization, Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc. and Stagevision
Musical Director
Tim Stella
Scenic Design
John Lee Beatty
Costume Design
Jess Goldstein
Lighting Design
Craig Miller

1980 Film Version

Movie Name
The Most Happy Fella
Type
Filmed Live on Stage, Great Performances
Director
Richard Benedict
Starring
Giorgio Tozzi, Sharon Daniels, Richard Muenz





CDs

CD
Original Broadway Cast Album

CD
1992 Broadway Revival Cast Album

CD
2000 Broadway Revival Cast Album


Sheetmusic

Sheetmusic
Vocal Selections

Sheetmusic
Vocal Score


Other

Merchandise




1957 Tony Award Nominations

Best Musical
Best Actor in a Musical - Robert Weede
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Jo Sullivan
Best Choreography
Conductor and Musical Director
Best Direction

1956 Theatre World Award Nominations

Susan Johnson

1980 Tony Award Nominations

Best Actor in a Musical - Giorgio Tozzi

1980 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Giorgio Tozzi

1992 Tony Award Nominations

Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Scott Waara
Best Actress in a Musical - Sophie Hayden
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Liz Larsen
Best Revival

1992 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Scott Waara
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Spiro Malas
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Sophie Hayden
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Liz Larsen
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Outstanding Revival

1992 Theatre World Award Nominations

Spiro Malas

Your Reviews: Do You Love It or Loathe It?

Broadway Musical
Broadway Musical
Broadway Musical
Broadway Musical
Broadway Musical
Broadway Musical