So we did two regional theatre tryouts of our show- at The Cherry County Playhouse in Michigan, and The Olney Theatre in Maryland. We got encouraging notices, especially in The Washington Post. The show now had a book and lyrics written by me and music by Doug Katsaros. The show got the attention of Elliott Martin.
For those of you too young to know--or too old to remember-- Broadway shows did not used to be produced by a gaggle of "producers" too numerous to fit on a TONY wards stage. Today's so-called "producers" of a show often outnumber the cast.
It used to be that producers had two names like Feuer & Martin or just a single name like David Merrick or Kermit Bloomgarden. Daring entrepreneurs like Elliot Martin took their own risks, often risked their own money and raised money from a small and select group of well-heeled investors.
Elliot produced over 50 plays by authors such as Eugene O'Neill, David Mamet and August Wilson. His production of the comedy, "Never Too Late", ran for 1,007 performances. He was The Real McCoy!
Eliot read the book, listened to the score and got a commitment to book the show from The Nederlanders, who owned theatres around the country as well as in New York.
Gavin MacLeod agreed to play Dennis's grumpy nemesis, Mr. Wilson. Gavin was known to the TV audience for his role on THE MARY TYER MOORE SHOW, and as The Captain of “THE LOVE BOAT”.
Gavin, of course, could do comedy, but he could also sing and dance. He had appeared on the road in "GIGI", "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN" and 'GYPSY." He said Mr. Wilson, was the part he was “born to play”.
For the role of Mrs. Wilson, George's long suffering witty wife, Elliott booked Marion Ross, Ron Howard’s mother from “Happy Days”.
The national tour with Gavin and Marion was starting with a break-in run at the Follies Theatre in Kansas City. From there, the show would go on the Nederlander circuit, starting in Detroit and going around the U.S., climaxing with a Broadway opening.
The show just made it as far as Kansas City, but without Gavin or Marion.
I was luxuriating in Santa Barbara when I got a call from Gavin. He had just come from his doctor. He had a heart attack, not too serious, but serious enough at his age to be cause for concern. Doing 6 evening performances and two matinees- 8 live performances a week- was a gruelling schedule. On his doctor's advice, he reluctantly withdrew.
We barely began a search for his replacement when Marion withdrew. She accepted a deal to star in a new TV situation comedy. It was too much for Elliot. Without his dream cast, he decided to give it up.
We were still committed to the run in Kansas City, which was produced with a local cast. We might have gone on ponying up money for regional productions, but I lost heart.
I felt terrible, not only for myself but for all those who would never recoup the $200,000 they put into our two productions-- myself; my friend, Dick Bright; and four of Hank Ketcham's golf buddies.
Over the years working on the show, Hank and I had become close friends. What hurt most was not being able to fulfill his dream. He was always such a positive person, always so supportive and enthusiastic.
I called to tell Hank we had come to the end of the road. It was over. Dennis would continue to be a star in the American comic strip firmament as he had been for over 50 years-- and still is to this day-- but not as the star of his own Broadway musical.
Hank was disappointed, of course, but it was not in his genes to be discouraged. Something else had come up that might prove interesting. He asked me to return a call he had received from a director named Steven Spielberg. Next!
Looking forward to you next story!