Stage to PageLook Back at Langston Hughes' Broadway Musical Simply HeavenlyThe production, co-written with David Martin, opened on Broadway August 20, 1957.
By
Nathan Skethway
August 20, 2019
The 1957 musical Simply Heavenly was based on Langston Hughes' novel Simple Takes a Wife, as well as his other "Simple" stories. After an Off-Broadway run at the 85th Street Playhouse, the musical transferred to the Playhouse Theatre (which was demolished in 1969 to accommodate the expansion of Rockefeller Center) on Broadway in August 1957. The production starred Claudia McNeil, Melvin Stewart, Anna English, Marilyn Berry, John Bouie, Brownie McGhee, and Duke Williams.
The Fred Ebb Award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a songwriter or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success.