- 1959 Original Broadway production
The original production opened on
May 21,
1959, at
The Broadway Theatre, moved to the
Imperial Theatre, and ran for 702 performances after 2 previews. Produced by
David Merrick it starred
Ethel Merman,
Jack Klugman,
Maria Karnilova, and Sandra Church in the title role. Direction and choreography were by
Jerome Robbins; critic Frank Rich has referred to Robbins's work as one of the most influential stagings of a musical in American theatrical history.
[2] The original production received eight
Tony Award nominations, including best musical, best musical actress, best featured actor, best featured actress, best scenic design, best costume design, and best direction of a musical, but failed to win any.
