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What an exciting year 1999 has been for The Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatre Library. Our beloved SOUTH PACIFIC turned 50. The anniversary was marked by several wonderful ceremonies including a reunion in New York City of 30 cast members from the original Broadway production. On April 7 at the Majestic Theatre, the matinee audience of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA rose to their feet welcoming the SOUTH PACIFIC veterans back to the same stage on which they opened exactly 50 years earlier. (For the complete story, see page 6.) This year SOUTH PACIFIC is being performed in record numbers around the country and indeed the world (a highly successful Japanese language production played in Tokyo this spring.)

1999 is also a time for looking forward as we announce the availability of several wonderful new musicals. You've already read about our new Irving Berlin revues - AS THOUSANDS CHEER and THE MELODY LINGERS ON (see page A) - and we're equally excited to announce the availability of FLOYD COLLINS. FLOYD COLLINS is an extraordinary new work which tells the story of a 1920's Kentucky farmer who chases a dream of fame and fortune by hoping to turn a newly discovered cave into a tourist attraction. But it's Floyd who becomes the tourist attraction when he becomes trapped underground for 14 days. Up above, the entire nation focuses on Floyd's plight as the media from far and wide descend on the property underwhich Floyd is trapped. Even the rescue effort is tainted by political ambition. This was truly the nation's first media circus, no less curious and disturbing than any in recent years. The thrilling and critically acclaimed score is by Adam Guettel and the book (and stunning original direction) is by Tina Landau. Earlier this year, the original creators collaborated on a joint production opening to excellent notices at the Old Globe in San Diego. The production then moved to the Prince Music Theatre (formerly The American Music Theatre Festival) in Philadelphia for another successful engagement before landing at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago where it closed on June 5. Our files have been overflowing with requests for FLOYD COLLINS and we're so happy to be able to say (with minor restrictions), "Yes! You can do FLOYD COLLINS." Your cast and audience will be transported by this marvelous new musical work.
Don't delay - call us today!

And just when we thought we'd said all we needed to say about BABES IN ARMS (you've received our Spotlight royalty-free promotional flyer and read about it in these very pages - see NEWS For Our Theatre Library Customers, Winter '99), City Center ENCORES! Great American Musicals in Concert mounted an extraordinary production of the original 1937 version. With the book adapted by John Guare, BABES IN ARMS had audiences on their feet and sent critics into spasms of euphoria! And what did they say?
"The audience was singing along in the overture to the strains of 'Where Or When' and by the time they got around to 'My Funny Valentine', I thought the lady next to me was going to join the cast on stage." -Rex Reed, The New York Observer

"Ša suave, silly and zephyrlike concoction that makes you want to dance all the way down Seventh Avenue. Musicals just aren't this much fun anymore." -Ben Brantley, New York Times

"If you ever wondered what an embarrassment of riches was, you need only consider BABES IN ARMS." -David Kaufman, New York Daily News

Don't forget - present BABES IN ARMS between September 1, 1999 and September 1, 2000 and get your opening night royalty-free (minimum number of performances required). There, we think that says it all!
A milestone anniversary for one of our favorites and 4 new and exciting releases - yep, it's a great year for The R&H Theatre Library. Let us help make it a great year for you, too!