In 1968, Jerome Robbins, a world-renowned choreographer and director, collaborated with John Guare to create a musical adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's play, The Exception and the Rule. The play tells the story of a merchant who, while crossing a desert with his porter, meets a poor woman who begs him for water. The merchant refuses to give her water unless she agrees to be his servant. The woman eventually dies of thirst, and the merchant is charged with her murder.
Leonard Bernstein, a famous composer, was responsible for composing the music for the musical adaptation, while Stephen Sondheim, a renowned lyricist and composer, was supposed to write the lyrics. The musical was initially called The Race to Urga but was later renamed A Pray by Blecht. However, due to creative differences, the production was abandoned during cast auditions after Robbins withdrew from the project.
The musical was intended to open at Lincoln Center in January 1969, and even though a demo was recorded in 1968, a cast album still needed to be produced. It was in April 1987 that Robbins returned to direct and choreographed an incomplete workshop production of the musical at Lincoln Center. Despite the incomplete nature of the production, it was received positively by critics and fans alike.
The musical adaptation of The Exception and the Rule remains an interesting footnote in the careers of these talented artists, and the story of its creation and subsequent abandonment serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities of bringing a work of art to life.
Synopsis
Capitalism exploits the working class during the early twentieth century.
Workshop song list
- Prologue Marches
- Intro / In Seven Days Flat
- You're In Hann
- The Secret
- The Suspicion Song
- Coolie's Dilemma (lyrics by Jerry Leiber)
- Doors to Urga
- Get Your Ass In There
- Coolie's Prayer
- Number One
- The Zorba's Dance
