From Ballet to Broadway and Black and House of Flowers
With over 165 performances in the span of a year, from December 30, 1954 to May 21, 1955, House of Flowers originated in 1954 and was based on Truman Capote’s short story of the same name. Set in the West Indies, this musical is about two bordellos and a love story that ensues between one of the brothel’s girls and a poor boy named Royal.
The show featured performers like Carmen de Lavallade, Geoffrey Holder, and Louis Johnson, with music by Harold Arlen, and lyrics by Arlen and Capote.
Directed by Peter Brook, choreographed by Herbert Ross, and produced by Saint Subber, “House of Flowers” was staged at the Alvin Theater in New York City.
According to theater critic Brooks Atkinson, captivating dances, costumes, and sets are used to create a visually stunning show. One memorable act includes indigenous ballet to represent sea monsters, accompanied by a “haunting” steel band.
Production:
Book Author: Truman Capote
Music: Harold Arlen
Lyrics: Harold Arlen, Truman Capote
Director: Peter Brook
Choreographer: Herbert Ross
Stage Manager: Lucia Victor, John Barry Ryan, John Scott
Producer: Saint Subber
Theater: Alvin Theater, 250 W. 52nd St., New York, NY
Cast (Dancers):
Carmen de Lavallade…………………………………………………Carmen
Geoffrey Holder………………………………………………………The Champion
Louis Johnson…………………………………………………………Townsperson
Arthur Mitchell…………………………………………………………Townsperson
Glory Van Scott…………………………………………………………Mamselle Cigarette
More about the Alvin Theater
Opened as the Alvin Theater in 1927 and renamed the Neil Simon Theater in 1983, this venue has staged multiple productions involving major LGBT performers and creators, including Cole Porter, Jerome Robbins, Raoul Pene Du Bois, Stephen Sondheim, Michael Bennett, Truman Capote, Marjorie Main, Mary Martin, and Noel Coward, among others.
Sources:
Blackpast.org, Pearl Mae Bailey
Masterworks Broadway, Pearl Bailey
New York Times, “Theater: Truman Capote’s Musical: Alvin Theater Offers ‘House of Flowers’” (1954)
The Guide to Musical Theatre, “House of Flowers”
Nhi Phan
