Look to the Lilies is a musical with a book by Leonard Spigelgass, lyrics by Sammy Cahn, and music by Jule Styne.
Based on the novel and subsequent film Lilies of the Field, it tells the story of an impoverished group of German nuns, headed by dauntless Mother Superior Maria, who coerce on-the-lam African American Homer Smith to build a chapel for the New Mexico community in which they live.
Styne composed his score with Ethel Merman in mind, but...
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Look to the Lilies is a musical with a book by Leonard Spigelgass, lyrics by Sammy Cahn, and music by Jule Styne.
Based on the novel and subsequent film Lilies of the Field, it tells the story of an impoverished group of German nuns, headed by dauntless Mother Superior Maria, who coerce on-the-lam African American Homer Smith to build a chapel for the New Mexico community in which they live.
Styne composed his score with Ethel Merman in mind, but director Joshua Logan cast Shirley Booth instead. Sammy Davis, Jr.'s salary demands put him out of the running, and the role of Homer went to Al Freeman, Jr., whom Logan later described as "difficult" and "antagonistic."
After 31 previews, the Broadway production, produced by Edgar Lansbury, opened on Easter Sunday, March 29, 1970 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where it ran for only 25 performances. In addition to Booth and Freeman, the cast included Taina Elg, Carmen Alvarez, Maria Di Dia, Gary Gendell, Marian Haraldson, Patti Karr, Maggie...
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