King David
1997 Broadway Concert
Lyrics & Book by Tim Rice
Music by Alan Menken


A king is born, he reigns and dies
And some are wise, and some are fools
And some are both these things

-- David & Bathsheba



Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre   © 1997 JJB.

Return To A Biblical Theme

Tim Rice had originally thought of writing about Biblical figures King Saul and King David during the early years of his partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber after their success with Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. One of the people he had later discussed this idea with was Alan Menken. When Alan was approached about writing a piece for the 3,000 year celebration of Jerusalem, Biblical King David who started life as a shepard was an obvious subject. He asked Tim if he was interested, and this led to the announcement in 1994 of King David as the pair's new musical. The show was originally slated to open as a concert production at the Sultans Pool in Jerusalem. This waspostponed in favour of a concert opening in September 1996 at the Roman Theatre in Caesaria, Israel. Then in January 1996, it was announced that Walt Disney Theatrical Productions would co-produce King David. A concert in Israel was canceled alltogether in favor of a later premiere of the piece at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway which Disney had recently acquired and had just finished refurbishing.

The Broadway Concert

On 19 August 1996, Disney unveiled plans for the King David concert at Sardi's restaurant in New York City. The event was attended by Disney executives, the work's creators, and political leaders. Songs from King David were featured in a seven-minute preview.

King David was scheduled to be presented at the New Amsterdam for five performances from 20-24 May 1997. The dates were changed during December 1996 to previews running from 15 May - 17 May 1997, opening on 18 May 1997, and four more performances 20 May - 23 May 1997. King David was an oratorio concert with a chorus of roughly 40 and an orchestra of about 55. Although there were costumes and a set, the work was not fully staged. King David was under the direction of Mike Ockrent. It was co-produced by Andre Djaoui. A private reading was held on 14 October 1996. The entire production/design team and cast were finalized in November of 1996. On 6 January 1997 a workshop for the production took place.

King David took the form of a 15-piece, two hour and forty-five minute song cycle.

Tickets for the concert performances were available to American Express Gold card holders and groups in mid February 1997; single tickets went on sale on 9 March through Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100.

The show began rehearsals in mid-April 1997.

At the press opening for the New Amsterdam on 2 April 1997, Marcus Lovett sang "New Jerusalem" from King David with a backup chorus.

An open rehearsal was held on 7 May 1997.

For King David, Marcus Lovett portrayed David, Alice Ripley played Bathsheba, and Judy Kuhn (Florence from the Broadway cast of Chess) was Michal. Other members of the cast included: Roger Bart (Jonathan), Stephen Bogardus (Joab), Peter Samuel (Samuel), Martin Vidnovic (King Saul). The scenic designer was Tony Walton; lighting was by David Agress; and costumes were by Wiliam Ivey Long. The music direction, and vocal & incidental music arrangements were by Michael Kosarin; the orchestrations were by Douglas Besterman; and the music coordinator was John Miller.

King David Lives On

A live recording of the concert was made on 20 and 21 May to be released as a highlights album on a single CD to the general public in the Summer of 1997. Advance orders were taken by phone, and New York City records stores were able to order copies for their patrons. After numerous promised dates, the CDs were finally shipped out the week of 21 July 1997.

On Saturday, 6 September 1997, Patti LuPone, Davis Gaines, and Rebecca Luker gave a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. They sang selections from various shows -- their predictable standards, and songs from newer works such as Ragtime and Titanic. Among this "new" material were three numbers from King David which finished off the show. This marked the first time the piece had been heard live on the West Coast. Rebecca Luker sang "When In Love", followed by Patti LuPone's rendition of "Never Again". Next came the finale of "The Long Long Day / This New Jerusalem" by Davis Gaines, Patti LuPone, Rebecca Luker, Kirby Hanlon, and The Mitch Hanlon Singers.

Almost exactly four years after the Hollywood Bowl concert, a respected singer again chose to share "Never Again" with an audience who may have missed out on King David's Broadway engagement. The singer was Ruthie Henshall, and she included "Never Again" on her September 2001 released Pilgram solo album.

In late August 2004, the Lyric Stage theatre company of Dallas, Texas, announced that it would be including King David in its 2004-2205 season schedule. As with the 1997 concert at the New Amsterdam theatre, the work was presented as an oratorio with the actors in costume. The production is to be directed by Cheryl Denson. It will play at The Cathedral at the Arts District Virgin of Guadalupe Shrine on 15-17 December 2004 and at the Irving Arts Center Dupree Theater 18 December 2004 at 8:00pm and 19 December 2004 at 2.30pm.

Again proving the enduring nature of King David, Philip Chaffin - a former King David cast member - included "Warm Spring Night" and "When In Love" on his second solo CD, released 7 June 2005 and titled Warm Spring Night.

The King David pages were last updated 27.1.07

All pages © 1996-2008 JJB.