The Playwrights Database
JERRY BOCK
(1928 - 2010)
Nationality:
USA
email:
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Website:
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Literary Agent:
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Jerrold Lewis Bock was born on November 23rd 1928 and was brought up in Queens, New York. He studied the piano and could play by ear. In the 1950s he met lyricist Sheldon Harnick - their first venture together "Body Beautiful" was panned by the critics but it came to the attention of Hal Prince who got them to write a musical about Fiorello LaGuardiA. "Fiorello!" went on to win the Tony for best musical. they wrote numerous musicals over the years - the most successful being "Fiddler On the Roof". He had a falling out with Harnick over the director of their show "the Rothschilds", they parted and did not speak for years. Jerry married Patricia in 1950 and they had two children Portia and George. He died of heart failure on March 3rd 2010
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1040
Synopsis:
1040 is an American income tax code. U S senators, spin doctors and computer hackers take on a real estate agent and his daughter
Notes:
Music And lyrics by Jerry Bock; book by Jerry Sterner. After this read through Sterner had differnces with Bock so he cut All the musical numbers And produced it As A straight play.
1st Produced:
Rehearsed reading at Musical Theatre Lab, University of Houston School of theatre Nov 1997
Organisations:
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1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Apple Tree, The
the apple Tree is an evening of three short musicals: "the Diary of adam and eve," based on the Mark Twain story; "the Lady or the Tiger?" based on the Frank Stockton story; and "Passionella," based on a character created by Jules Feiffer.
nytheatre.com
Notes:
Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Book by Jerry Bock And Sheldon Harnick; Additional book material by Jerome Coopersmith; Based on "the Diary of Adam And eve" by Mark Twain; Based on "the Lady or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton; Based on "Passionella" by Jules Feiffer
1st Produced:
Shubert Theatre, NY 1966
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
Original cast recording: Sony (SK 48209) 1966
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Genre:
130 min Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: 14 actors
Further Reference:
-
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Baker Street
Loosely based on the Sherlock Holmes story A Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle, it is set in and around London in 1897, the year in which England celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen Victoria (an event marked by an elaborate royal procession depicted by Bil Baird's marionettes). The musical veers from Conan Doyle's work in that Irene Adler becomes an associate of Holmes rather than his opponent, thus allowing an element of romance between the two.
Notes:
Book by Jerome Coopersmith; Music by Marian Grudeff And Raymond Jessel; Lyrics by Marian Grudeff And Raymond Jessel; Adapted from the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; the songs "Buffalo Belle," "Cold Clear World of the Intellect" And "I Shall Miss You Holmes" by Jerry Bock And Sheldon Harnick
1st Produced:
Broadway Theatre, NY 23789
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Doubleday; Fireside Theatre Book Club Edition. edition (1966) B000GHD9Q4
Music:
M.G.M. Records (1965)
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 22 Female: 13 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Body Beautiful, The
a rich and handsome Dartmouth graduate wants to box his was to glory. However he falls in love with a girl who disAproves of boxing
Notes:
Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Book by Joseph Stein And Will Glickman
1st Produced:
Broadway Theater, New York 23 Jan 1958
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, NY, 1957 -
Music:
Original cast recording: Blue Pear (1006)
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Brandon Finds His Star
Synopsis:
Brandon Fitzgerald attwater III is convinced that his dumb name will hold him back and that he should change it
Notes:
Music And lyrics by Jerry Bock; book by Sidney Berger
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
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1st Published:
- -
Music:
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Diary Of Adam And Eve
Synopsis:
adam has a pain in his ribs. He discovers eve but is not sure about her. adam builds a shelter and because he cannot stand her crying allows her in the shelter when it rains. eve discovers the Tree of Knowledge and the snake tempts her to eat it. She manages to get adam to do the same and they are driven out of the Garden
Notes:
Written with Sheldon Harnick. Based on "Diary of Adam And eve" by Mark Twain.
1st Produced:
Shubert Theater, New York 1966
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Contained in: "Modern Short Comedies From Broadway And London" published by Random House 1969 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Fiddler On the Roof
Setting: anatevka, a small village in Russia. 1905, on the eve of the Russian Revolution. the much-loved musical tale of a Jewish family in Tsarist Russia facing emotional turmoil and physical upheaval. at the heart of the family, and the story, is Tevye, an old-fashioned Father who wants to see his daughters married in the traditional Jewish way.
Notes:
Book by Joseph Stein; Based on stories by Sholom Aleichem; Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
1st Produced:
Imperial Theatre, NY 23642
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Limelight editions, 2004 -
Music:
Original cast recording: RCa (82876-51430-2) 1964
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Fiorello!
the story of New York Mayor and Congressman Fiorello LaGuardia. LaGuardia a lawyer in a poor and deprived part of New York decides to do something to help the local people and runs for Congress
Notes:
Book by Jerome Weidman And George Abbott; Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
1st Produced:
Broadhurst Theatre, NY 23 Nov 1959
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
Original cast recording: Capitol (92052) 1959
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Generation
Synopsis:
Setting: the studio-loft-apartment of Walter Owen in Lower Manhattan. Present time.
Notes:
Written by William Goodhart; Incidental music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by William Goodhart
1st Produced:
Morosco Theatre, NY 1965
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Madwoman Of Central Park West, The
a woman tries to tidy up her bedroom whilst writing lists of things to do, having fights with her teenage daughter and reminiscing
Notes:
written with Phyllis Newman, music by Peter Allen, Leonard Bernstein And others, from play My Mother Was A Fortune Teller by Newman
1st Produced:
Buffalo 1979
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
Original cast recording: DRG (5212) 1979
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Man In the Moon
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
Music by Jerry Bock; Book by Arthur Burns; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Based on A story by Bil Baird
1st Produced:
Biltmore Theatre, NY 22 Nov 1963
Organisations:
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1st Published:
- -
Music:
Original cast recording: Golden (104) 1963
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Mr Wonderful
the struggles of a show biz entertainer
Notes:
Music by Jerry Bock, Larry Holofcener And George Weiss; Lyrics by Jerry Bock, Larry Holofcener And George Weiss; Book by Joseph Stein And Will Glickman
1st Produced:
Broadway Theatre, NY 22 Mar 1956
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- mr-wonderful
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Never Too Late
Synopsis:
a married man in his fifties learns he's about to become a Father again.
Notes:
Written by Sumner Arthur Long; Incidental music by John Kander; Lyrics by Jerry Bock; "Never Too Late" cha-cha by Jerry Bock; Lyrics for song "Never Too Late" cha-cha by Sheldon Harnick
1st Produced:
Playhouse Theatre, NY 27 Nov 1962
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French Inc, New York -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Princess Who Could Not Be Heard
Synopsis:
a deaf princess tries to rise above her troubles
Notes:
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1st Produced:
29th annual Childrens Theatre Festival, Houston 2007
Organisations:
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1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Childrens musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Rothschilds, The
the story of the start of the Rothschild banking dynasty. In 1712 Mayer Rothschild returns home after completing a year's banking apprenticeship. His fiancee Gutele and he want to get married - but there is a limit to the number of Jewish wedding permitted per year. Mayer sets up shop and deals in rare coins. at the Frankfurt Fair he manages to persuade Prince William - after he has given him a rare coin - to allow his marriage to take place. Later Gutele and Mayer have had five sons - all work in the shop and all are excellent salesmen. Prince William needs an agent to negotiate terms of a loan with Denmark. Mayer offers his and his sons services. they go to Denmark but while they are away Napoleon invades and Prince William flees. Meyer sends his sons throughout europe to call in all of the Prince's loans
Notes:
Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Book by Sherman Yellen; Based on "the Rothschilds" by Frederic Morton
1st Produced:
Lunt-Fontanne Theater, New York 19 Oct 1970
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Music Theatre International, -
Music:
Original cast recording: Sony (30337) 1970
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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She Loves Me
the staff at Maraczek's Parfumerie arrive for work. George has been keeping a correspondence with an unknown young lady who he calls his "Dear Friend". New stock arrives - it is a musical cigarette box. Nobody is keen on them and they don't think they will sell. amalia comes into the shop at first she is mistaken for a customer - but she is looking for a job. When she manages to sell on of the cigarette boxes she is hired. She and George do not strike it off. George continues his correspondence - just who could the "Dear Friend" be?
Notes:
Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Book by Joe Masteroff; Based on A play by Miklos Laszlo
1st Produced:
Eugene O'Neill Theatre, NY 23 Apr 1963
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
Original cast recording: Ploydor (831968) 1963
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: 9 Female: 7 Other: -
Further Reference:
Theatre Record Volume XXXI (2011) Issue 10 Page 534
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Tenderloin
1890s. the Reverend Doctor Brock wants to clean up the Tenderloin district of New York and get rid of the prostitutes who ply their trade there. He enlists the help of a young newspaper journalist, Tommy - who also sings in one of the bars in Tenderloin - to help him. But Tommy is in league with a dishonest policeman and they fabricate evidence that the good Reverend had other interests in the girls. then Tommy meets choir girl Laura and is converted. He refuses to give evidence at the trial of Rev Brock. the clean up of Tenderloin begins - but Brock leaves for Detroit which he has heard is even more sinful
Notes:
Book by George Abbott And Jerome Weidman; Music by Jerry Bock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Based on the novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams
1st Produced:
46th Street Theater, New York, NY 1960
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Music Theatre International -
Music:
Original cast recording angel (65002) 1960
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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