Thanks for the background and clarification about points I hadn't been able to resolve. You confused me with the character names, "Marlene" and "Nathan," as neither character appears in the version I reviewed. Checking IDBD, though, I see that those characters were in the Broadway version. I guess that they must have been cut altogether in the "restored" book. Perhaps some of their parts (or songs) were given to other characters, but the story line focused pretty heavily on Bea and Al, along with Bea's family, and her buddy, Angie. There were two other women pals in the mix, but they weren't given a whole lot to do except kibbutz and dance at the ballroom.
But, I do appreciate your comments, and your book reference sent me to Riedel's Razzle Dazzle, which has a chapter on Michael Bennett that includes Ballroom and Dreamgirls. A lot of the chapter focuses on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering, which is interesting but doesn't really get to the nitty-gritty of Ballroom as a musical.
Bill, in San Diego |
