Jolson is amusical with a book byFrancis Essex and Rob Bettinson and a score composed of tunes by some of the all-time greatestsongwriters ofTin Pan Alley.
Based on the life of singerAl Jolson, one ofAmerica's most popular entertainers, it spans thirty years of his career. Out of thelimelight, the plot emphasizes his personal faults as much as it does his professional successes. Other major characters include his wifeRuby Keeler and his longtime friend and agent Louis Epstein.
TheWest End production, directed by Bettinson, opened on October 26, 1995 at theVictoria Palace Theatre, where it ran for seventeen months.[1] The cast includedBrian Conley as Jolson,Sally Ann Triplett as Keeler,John Bennett as Epstein, Julie Armstrong, Alison Carter & Helen McNee as The Rooney Sisters.
Anoriginal cast album was recorded live during the performances of February 29, March 1, and March 2, 1996 and released by First Night Records.[2]
Jolson - The Musical was staged at theRoyal Alexandra Theatre inToronto from June through October 1997. A proposed move toBroadway never materialized. However, a national US tour did occur beginning in October 1998, with the production performing in 34 cities.[3]
Variety received the show negatively, calling it "dull" and criticizing it for overlooking the more controversial parts of Jolson's life and performances.[4]
Under the auspices of theLaurence Olivier Awards, it won theAmerican Express Award for Best New Musical. Olivier nominations went to Conley for Best Actor in a Musical and Bennett for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical.[5]