On the Twentieth Century 1978

Opened: February 19, 1978
Closing: March 18, 1979

On the Twentieth Century - 1978 - Broadway History , Info & More

St. James Theatre (Broadway)
246 West 44th St. New York, NY

Based on the play Twentieth Century by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur and Bruce Milholland


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The Drama Desk Awards to Posthumously Honor Hal Prince with Namesake Lifetime Achievement Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2020


The 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards will celebrate the life and legacy of American theater producer and director Harold 'Hal' Prince with the Drama Desk's newly established lifetime achievement honor.

John Cullum to Debut First Ever One Man Show at Feinsteins/54 Below
by Julie Musbach - Aug 5, 2019


Broadway's Golden Age of Theatre comes alive next month when New York's Feinstein's/54 Below presents legendary two-time Tony Award winning actor John Cullum in his first ever one man show, John Cullum: An Accidental Star.  Performances will be Sept. 2 nd and Sept. 4th through 7th, at the 254 W. 54th St. supper club, each night at 7.

All Broadway Theatres to Dim Lights for Hal Prince
by Julie Musbach - Jul 31, 2019


The Broadway community mourns the loss of prolific producer, director, writer, and the individual recipient of the most Tony Awards in multiple categories in history, Harold Prince, who passed away on July 31, 2019 at age 91. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, July 31 at exactly 7:45pm.

Audio Documentary on Madeline Kahn Now Available
by Julie Musbach - Dec 3, 2017


Actress Madeline Kahn would have turned 75 on September 29, and to commemorate her jubilee year, award-winning interviewer Valerie Smaldone has producedMadeline Kahn: Her Life Explored. The 30-minute program features an extended interview with Kahn's biographer, William V. Madison (Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life), as well as excerpts from his interviews with directors Mel Brooks and Lee Roy Reams, and with Kahn's most frequent co-star, Robert Klein.

They're Already Winners... Counting Off the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2017 Nominees!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 11, 2017


The 2017 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. Before a single Tony Award goes out tonight, this year's nominees already have a whopping 67 Tony Awards between them. Check out who has already won big below!

San Francisco Playhouse Ends 13th Mainstage Season with CITY OF ANGELS
by Jessica Fallon Gordon - Jun 10, 2016


San Francisco Playhouse (Bill English, Artistic Director; Susi Damilano, Producing Director) concludes its thirteenth Mainstage season with the ingenious, award-winning crime noir musical City of Angels, directed by Bill English.

Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, Cyndi Lauper's History-Making KINKY BOOTS Win, 2013
by Michael Dale - Jun 10, 2016


Cynd iLauper is the first woman to win the Tony for Best Score without a male partner.

Not So Happy Valentine's Day? Broadway's Most Anti-Love Songs
by BWW Special Coverage - Feb 14, 2015


Happy Valentine's Day! Oh, it's not a happy Valentine's Day for you? Well, I'm sorry, but as you are probably all to aware of then, misery loves COMPANY; and yes, I am talking about the revolutionary 1970 Sondheim musical. Like all things, the lonliness, anger, and depression that is sometimes associated with being alone on this most Hallmark of holiudays is always made better by show tunes.

Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by BWW News Desk - Apr 8, 2011


Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 22, 2011


Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

Orange County Performing Arts Center Pays Tribute to Cy Coleman, 12/9 - 12/12
by BWW News Desk - Dec 12, 2010


Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Orange County Performing Arts Center Pays Tribute to Cy Coleman, 12/9 - 12/12
by BWW News Desk - Dec 11, 2010


Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Orange County Performing Arts Center Pays Tribute to Cy Coleman, 12/9 - 12/12
by BWW News Desk - Dec 10, 2010


Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Orange County Performing Arts Center Pays Tribute to Cy Coleman, 12/9 - 12/12
by BWW News Desk - Dec 9, 2010


Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Orange County Performing Arts Center Pays Tribute to Cy Coleman, 12/9 - 12/12
by Leslie Fazin - Nov 3, 2010


Four of musical theater's brightest talents offer behind-the-scenes tales and the magical music of a true legend in Broadway Up Close and Personal: A Tribute to Cy Coleman. Beloved songs from Cy Coleman's award-winning shows including Sweet Charity, City of Angels and The Will Rogers Follies and songs such as 'Witchcraft' and 'The Best is Yet to Come' will be performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center December 9 - 12 in this heartfelt and personal tribute to the life and incredible work of this great American artist. The show features Tony-winning lyricist David Zippel, who collaborated with Coleman on City of Angels; Center favorite Jason Graae, whose special way around a song has taken him to the Metropolitan Opera, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland and the Rainbow Room; Jenifer Lewis, who has starred in numerous Broadway productions as well as movies and television and the multi-talented Tami Tappan Damiano, who has appeared on stages all over the world.

Other Productions of On the Twentieth Century

1978   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1979   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1980   West End London Production
West End
1985   Off-Off-Broadway Off-Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Off-Broadway
2005   Broadway Actors’ Fund Concert
Broadway
2015   Broadway Roundabout Theatre Broadway Revival
Broadway

On the Twentieth Century - 1978 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1980 Olivier Awards Actress of the Year in a Musical Julia McKenzie
1978 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Betty Comden
1978 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Adolph Green
1978 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Harold Prince
1978 Tony Awards Best Musical Mary Lea Johnson
1978 Tony Awards Best Musical Ira Bernstein
1978 Tony Awards Best Musical Martin Richards
1978 Tony Awards Best Musical James Cresson
1978 Tony Awards Best Musical Robert Fryer
1978 Tony Awards Best Musical Circle 2
1978 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Betty Comden
1978 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Adolph Green
1978 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Cy Coleman
1978 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Kevin Kline
1978 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical John Cullum
1978 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Imogene Coca
1978 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Madeline Kahn
1978 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Robin Wagner

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