Emerson Colonial Theatre Official Blog

COLONIAL THEATRE HISTORY: On this day in 1989, GRAND HOTEL closed its three-week pre-Broadway tryout at the Colonial, starring Liliane Montevecchi, Jane Krakowski, David Carroll, and Michael Jeter.

A musical adaptation of the novel by Vicki Baum, GRAND HOTEL takes place over the course of one weekend in 1928 Berlin, depicting the lives of eclectic guests at an elegant hotel. Originally debuting in 1958 under the name AT THE GRAND, the show was revisited 30 years later under the direction of Tommy Tune, who returned to the Colonial after directing the 1983 pre-Broadway tryout of MY ONE AND ONLY.

During the Boston engagement, Tune brought in composer-lyricist Maury Yeston (with whom he had worked with on NINE) to contribute fresh material and make significant adjustments to the show. Yeston wrote seven new songs in the first week, including a new opening number.

The Broadway production of GRAND HOTEL went on to win 5 Tony Awards (including Best Direction and Best Choreography for Tune) and ran for over 1,000 performances.

Photo Credit: NYPL for the Performing Arts