Hajj and Lalume are discussing a trip to a "small oasis, a week's travel by camel" when Marsinah enters the Harem. [22], 1953 US musical by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis, Ouzounian, Richard. The poet pleads that, as a poet and storyteller, the loss of a hand would cripple his career; it is the gesture that tells the story ("Gesticulate"). It played over a year in Melbourne and Sydney. He instructs Lalume to keep his new Emir happy, and she is eager to comply ("Rahadlakum"). He rejoices at the power he wields, by having a magician as Emir ("Was I Wazir?").

He is struck by Marsinah's beauty and follows her. series presented a staged concert in February 2006, starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie. The following Borodin works were used as musical sources for Kismet: Kismet premiered in Los Angeles and then moved to San Francisco in the summer and autumn of 1953. The wazir is informed by his spies that the caliph's bride has disappeared. – The Wazir of Police, Policemen and Guards, "Rahadlakum"* – Hajj, Lalume, Princess Zubbediya of Damascus, Princess Samaris of Bangalore, Three Princesses and Wazir's Harem, "Ceremonial of the Caliph's Diwan" – Diwan Dancers, "Presentation of Princesses" – Princess Zubbediya of Damascus, Ayah, Princess Samaris of Bangalore and Three Princesses of Ababu, This page was last edited on 5 September 2020, at 05:21. She vows to kill herself if he does. [16], The New York City Opera presented the musical in October 1985, featuring George Hearn (Hajj), Susanne Marsee (Lalume) and Maryanne Telese (Marsinah) with direction by Frank Corsaro. Bloom, Ken; Vlastnik, Frank; Orbach, Jerry. ", a poet enters to sell his verses. The caliph is ready to pardon Hajj for his murder of a public official, but the poet requests, as his punishment, to be "banished to some dreadful oasis ... at least a week's journey away by camel," and to be made to comfort the wazir's widow in her "grief". Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, "City Opera: 'Kismet' Makes Season Debut", "Internet Broadway Database listing, 'Timbuktu! So as not to have lied to his prince, the wazir immediately marries Marsinah, promising to visit her that night. [14][15], The musical was revived at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater, starting on June 22, 1965, for 39 performances and starring Drake, Lee Venora, Anne Jeffreys, and Henry Calvin. Jawan praises the power of the great magician, Hajj, a man who has the power to curse and uncurse. The old brigand is brought in and asks Hajj where his son is. Through their amah, the princesses tell Lalume that they wish to return home.

The new Hajj, seeing an opportunity to make some money, promises to do so for 100 gold pieces. The New York City Center Encores! (Reprise) – Ensemble "Was I Wazir?" When the wazir sees he is gone, he clutches the cloak in amazement and faints. Music Adapted by Bob Wright (as Robert Wright) and Chet Forrest (as George Forrest) Lyrics by Bob Wright (as Robert Wright) and Chet Forrest (as George Forrest) Sung by Dolores Gray and chorus … Thus, the soundtrack to Kismet remained inferior to the Original Broadway Cast album, despite boasting an unusually strong-voiced cast itself, led by Howard Keel and including Vic Damone (who got to sing "Stranger in Paradise") and Ann Blyth ("Baubles, Bangles and Beads"). He concludes that this is a result of Hajj's curse and begs Hajj to reverse the situation, promising him a reprieve and the title of Emir. [19] This version, with a new book by Luther Davis, set the story in Africa, with minimalist settings and an all-Black cast. Back in the city, the wazir of police comes through the busy bazaar ("Bazaar of the Caravans"). [citation needed], A 1989 recording on Jay Records that includes some songs from the film version and Timbuktu! When the wazir enters the pool, Hajj trips him and holds him underwater until he drowns. As Jawan is led to his execution, the wazir realizes that the "powerful magician" has cursed him. His beautiful daughter Marsinah joins in the sales pitch, but they have no success ("Rhymes Have I"). Jawan is thrilled to see his son, but the Wazir sentences his own father to death. The wazir, hoping to convince the caliph that only wanting one wife is just a phase, shows him his harem through a peephole where he sees Marsinah. The caliph and his wedding procession approach the house of his beloved ("Night of my Nights"). The music was mostly adapted from several pieces composed by Alexander Borodin. Bill Johnson later took over the role of Hajj, and Elaine Malbin the role of Marsinah. Fifteen years ago, the real Hajj had placed a curse on Jawan that resulted in the disappearance of the brigand's little son.

Marsinah is being pursued by a fruit merchant whose wares she has stolen. Recordings of the musical that have been released include a 1961 London studio recording by World Record Club conducted by Kenneth Alwyn with Graham Laver (Hajj), Elizabeth Harwood (Marsinah), Peter Grant (Caliph), Diana Landor (Lalume), Paul Whitsun-Jones (Wazir) and Hazel Holt. The musical was first produced on Broadway in 1953 and won the Tony Award for best musical in 1954. The wazir has no need for evidence; he sentences Hajj to 20 lashes, and his right hand is to be cut off. Inside, Marsinah thinks only of her gardener ("Stranger in Paradise" (reprise)). "[12] William Hawkins, however, wrote that it was "noisy, spectacular, and vigorous. The production moved to Broadway on December 3, 1953, playing at the Ziegfeld Theatre. In return for the money lent from the king of Ababu, the wazir must arrange for the caliph to marry one (or all three) of the princesses of Ababu, who perform a sexy dance. [13], The first Australian production opened at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne in November 1955, featuring Hayes Gordon and directed by American Burry Fredrik. [3] Charles Lederer became producer as well as book writer. Just when he is about to murder Hajj, the caliph enters with news that he has found a bride, a commoner, and that he will marry her tonight. (Although one of the newly added tracks was called "Rhymes Have I," this was not the song by that title from the show, but a dialogue segment.) She is admiring the garden when the Caliph slips in and, pretending to be a gardener, introduces himself to her. A 1955 film version was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Jawan leaves for Baghdad to search for his son, and Hajj rejoices in his new-found riches ("Fate" (reprise)). Kismet premiered in Los Angeles and then moved to San Francisco in the summer and autumn of 1953. The director was Albert Marre, with choreography by Jack Coleand sumptuous settings and costumes by Lemuel Ayers. Liner notes from 2007 UK re-issue of the CD, Naxos.com, "Bored" is a song written for the film adaptation of the musical, but it has been included in most stage productions after the film's release, Wright and Forrest composed "My Magic Lamp" for the film version. ', 1978", "Theatre Review:After 50 Years, the Return of Bangles, Beads and Kitsch", How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kismet_(musical)&oldid=976811996, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Princess Samaris of Bangalore – Beatrice Kraft, Princess Zubbediya of Damascus – Florence Lessing, "Bazaar of the Caravans" – Street Dancer, Akbar, Assiz, Merchants and Shoppers, "Not Since Nineveh" – Lalume, The Wazir of Police, Three Princesses of Ababu, Akbar, Assiz, Merchants and Shoppers, "He's in Love!" Elsewhere, Hajj is basking in the glow of some scantily-dressed slave girls he has just bought, when he is stopped by the police, who are checking identities because they are looking for Jawan. [21] A 1991 Sony Broadway version with new orchestrations by conductor Paul Gemignani stars Samuel Ramey (Hajj), Ruth Ann Swenson (Marsinah), Jerry Hadley (Caliph), Julia Migenes (Lalume), Dom DeLuise (Wazir) and Mandy Patinkin (Marriage arranger).