Show History

History

Productions

Celebration is a musical with a book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt that explores the contrasts between youth and old age, innocence and corruption, love and ambition, and poverty and wealth. The musical was first developed by Jones and Schmidt in their experimental workshop theatre called the Portfolio Studio, a converted brownstone on West 48th Street.

Celebration then went on to premiere on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre on January 22, 1969, and closed on April 26, 1969, after 109 performances and thirteen previews. Directed by Jones and choreographed by Vernon Lusby, the cast featured Ted Thurston, Susan Watson, Keith Charles and Michael Glenn-Smith.