Elaine Stritch at Liberty is an autobiographical one-woman show written by Elaine Stritch and John Lahr, and produced by George C. Wolfe, based on Stritch's personal anecdotes, as well as showtunes and Broadway standards that reflect her life both on and off the stage.
Contents
Synopsis
The show consists of spoken monologues from Stritch following her life and career, interspersed with showtunes and pop standards that complement her stories. Stritch had previously sung many of the songs in major productions, such as "The Ladies Who Lunch" from Company and "Civilization" from Angel in the Wings, which she originated on Broadway. Her experiences and relationship with show business are focal points, while she also explores more intimate, personal themes like her alcoholism and romantic relationships.
Productions
Originally directed and produced by George C. Wolfe at The Public Theater, the show premiered on November 7, 2001. After quickly selling out, the original engagement was extended twice: once until December 30 and then until January 6, 2002. The show then transferred to Broadway, opening on February 21, 2002 in the Neil Simon Theatre, closing on May 26 of that year.
Stritch continued to perform the show at regional and international venues.
Reception
The Broadway production was recognized with the 2002 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event and the 2002 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical.
Song list
Songs are listed alphabetically, as presented in the Broadway program, with the note "the following songs may or may not be performed."
"All in Fun" (from Very Warm for May) — Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II
"Broadway Baby"§ (from Follies) — Stephen Sondheim
"But Not For Me" — George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
"If Love Were All" (from Bitter Sweet) — Noël Coward
"Can You Use Any Money Today?"§ (from Call Me Madam) — Irving Berlin
"Civilization"§ (from Angel in the Wings) — Carl Sigman and Bob Hilliard
"Hooray for Hollywood" (from Hollywood Hotel) — Richard A. Whiting and Johnny Mercer
"I'm Still Here" (from Follies) — Stephen Sondheim
"I've Been to a Marvelous Party" — Noël Coward
"I Want a Long Time Daddy" — Porter Grainger
"The Little Things You Do Together"§ (from Company) — Stephen Sondheim
"Something Good" (from The Sound of Music) — Richard Rodgers
"The Ladies Who Lunch"§ (from Company) — Stephen Sondheim
"The Party's Over" (from Bells Are Ringing — Styne, Comden, and Green
Live album
A recording of the original off-Broadway production was released April 9, 2002 by DRG Records, containing both the musical numbers and selected spoken material from the show.
Documentary film
The documentary adaptation directed by D. A. Pennebaker and Andy Picheta aired in 2004 on HBO, later winning two Emmy awards: Outstanding Variety Special and Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Stritch. Stritch's exuberant acceptance speech—during which she danced up to the stage, uttered profanities, expressed gladness that her fellow nominees lost, reeled off a long list of comedic dedications, and declared that she would not leave until forcibly removed—has been described in retrospect as "something of an Emmy legend."