1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was a legendary Broadway flop in 1976, running only seven performances at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. It was Leonard Bernstein's last original score for Broadway. The musical examined the establishment of the White House and its occupants from 1800 to 1900. Primarily focusing on race relations, the story depicted (among other incidents) Thomas Jefferson's then-alleged affair with a black maid, James Monroe's refusal to halt slavery in Washington, the aftermath of the American Civil War and Andrew Johnson's impeachment. Throughout the show, the leading actors performed multiple roles: Ken Howard played all the presidents, Patricia Routledge all the First Ladies, and Gilbert Price and Emily Yancy played the White House servants, Lud and Seena. Future Broadway stars Reid Shelton, Walter Charles, Beth Fowler and Richard Muenz appeared in ensemble roles, as did the young African-American baritone Bruce Hubbard. The show was originally intended to be performed as... full article at wikipedia