Billy Wilson and Jamaica
Jamaica is a Broadway original which was performed by Billy Wilson alongside Alvin Ailey as an Islander. It was performed at the Imperial Theater in New York City. Set on tropical paradise Pigeon’s Island, Jamaica centers around Savannah, a young woman who dreams of leading a life of modernity in New York City. Two suitors vie for her attention: Koli, a handsome but poor fisherman, and Joe Nashua, a Big Apple businessman who has come to the remote island to dive for pearls. Although Savannah is enticed by Joe’s promises that the pair could exchange life on the island for that in the city, she ultimately decides to remain with Koli, after he saves her younger brother during a hurricane.
Sources:
From Broadway to Ballet and Back, MOBBallet
Ricardo Montalban, Lena Horne, Adelaide Hall, Augustine “Augie” Rios, Ossie Davis and ensemble in the 1957 stage production Jamaica, NYPL Digital Collections
More about Jamaica (1957-1959)
Jamaica opened on October 31, 1957, at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy, known for their collaboration on Finian’s Rainbow, wrote the book. Harburg also wrote the lyrics and Harold Arlen composed the music. The two had previously worked together on The Wizard of Oz. “Father of American jazz dance,” Jack Cole choreographed the musical. Oliver Smith designed the set; Miles White designed costumes. Actress and activist Lena Horne starred in the musical, which also featured dancers Alvin Ailey, Barbara Wright, Jayne Craddock, Frank Glass, Nat Horne, Charles Moore, and Billy Wilson.
Book by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy
Lyrics by Yip Harburg
Music by Harold Arlen
Choreography by Jack Cole
Set design by Oliver Smith
Costumes by Miles White
Jamaica was nominated for these awards:
1958 COSTUME DESIGN
1958 BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
1958 SCENIC DESIGN (PLAY OR MUSICAL)
1958 BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
1958 BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
1958 MUSICAL
Sources:
Cole, Jack, Oxford Reference
Jamaica on Broadway: The Popular Caribbean and Mock Transnational Performance
Jamaica, Playbill
