Music by GARY WILLIAM FRIEDMAN
Lyrics by WILL HOLT
Adapted by ROBERT H. LIVINGSTON and HERB SCHAPIRO
Based on the book"The Me Nobody Knows"
Edited by Stephen M. Joseph
Original idea by Herb Schapiro
Additional Lyrics by HERB SCHAPIRO
Arrangements and Orchestrations by GARY WILLIAM FRIEDMAN
Musical numbers Staged by PATRICIA BIRCH
Directed by ROBERT H. LIVINGSTON
Produced by JEFF BRITTON
Sounds Like
"The Me Nobody Knows is a new musical at the Orpheum Theater…I loved it.
I loved its understanding and compassion, and I felt its pain and yet also its unsentimental determination for hope…one of the most meaningful and ultimately joyful shows of the season…"
- Clive Barnes, The New York Times
"We have the best rock score in years in the one provided by Gary William Friedman for The Me Nobody Knows, a musical about ghetto children that is so good that if every legislator and slum landlord were to see it - and since it should be seen by everybody, that includes those unsavory professions - it might put an end to ghettos…"
- John Simon, New York Magazine
"The Me Nobody Knows is beautiful…lyricist Will Holt, composer Gary William Friedman and director Robert H. Livingston have fashioned a show remarkable for its intelligence, insight and emotional force…"
- Jack Kroll, Newsweek,
"Rejoice… Gary William Friedman…and everyone else connected with The Me Nobody Knows have made an exhilarating, moving and funny new musical…"
- Edith Oliver, The New Yorker
James Earl Jones introducing THE ME NOBODY KNOWS on SHOWTIME television presentation:
"Robert, Allen, Wendell & JoJo" from SHOWTIME television presentation:
"Jailhouse Walk" from SHOWTIME television presentation:
"The Tree" with Opening Monologue from SHOWTIME television presentation:
"The White Horse" from SHOWTIME television presentation:
THE ME NOBODY KNOWS opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theater in New York on May 18, 1970 and played 208 performances.
It won the 1970 Obie and Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical.
It transferred to the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway December 18, 1970, subsequently moving to the Longacre Theatre and played a total of 378 more performances.
It received Five 1971 Tony nominations and closed November 28, 1971.
The show spawned two hits with “This World”, and "Light Sings". The Sweet Inspirations recorded both songs, then "This World" became a Top 10 R&B single for The Staple Singers, and “Light Sings”, became a pop hit for The Fifth Dimension.
The original cast went on to become stars including Irene Cara, Beverly Bremers, Hattie Winston and Northern Calloway.
Also in the original cast was Jose Fernandez, who went on to write "Fame: The Musical".
The SHOWTIME Television production included a special introduction by James Earl Jones, and actress Tisha Campbell was among the cast members.
Donna Summer was in the first production in Hamburg, Germany.
THE ME NOBODY KNOWS has been performed throughout the world in cities such as Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Hamburg and (the then Apartheid) Johannesburg, receiving steady praise for the triumph of the human spirit that the show inspires.
THE ME NOBODY KNOWS continues to spread its message to this day as a mainstay production in community theater and schools.
THE ME NOBODY KNOWS original cast album, complete with an 8-page booklet containing liner notes from the creative team is available on CD anywhere music is sold, and available for download.
Join us for a very special Holiday Edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION where I chat in-depth with Mr. Lamonte McLemore--unforgettable founding member of The 5th Dimension, everyone's favorite mellow bass, multi-Grammy winner, "The Visionary Dimension" whose impeccable sense of style & charmingly mischievous sense of humor is his trademark. Not to mention an indomitably wise spirit. You'll enjoy many 5th anecdotes never heard before plus get a major "new year 5th scoop!" Look for "Visit with a Visionary: Through the Lens of Lamonte McLemore" at the Blog section on my page!
And thank you, kind friends for your continued support...you are "5th Family," indeed!
Hi Friends... FOREVER 5th DIMENSION presents our SUMMER SUNSHINE EXCLUSIVE: "Sound-sculpting with Mr. Bones & The 5th!" It's an ALL-NEW in-depth Q & A with The 5th's mega-producer, Bones Howe as we talk about the Grammy-winning quintet's most beloved Summer songs...of course the secrets behind "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" but fan favorites, too like "Light Sings," Marilyn's "Open Your Window" and Billy's "Summer's Daughter." Lots of rare photos, too. So surrey on down to the Blog section on my page and enjoy our Champagne Soul picnic! Blessings, Robert
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, the monthly tribute is proud to present the interview so many of you have requested... MARILYN & BILLY--FROM THE HEART!
With a feeling of harmony & unity in the air and some Valentine’s magic too, McCoo & Davis talk music, marriage, their faith & about Obama! The secrets of so many of the hits you love like "Wedding Bell Blues"...the dynamic duo even holds a mini Master Class in singing technique for this special interview!
So take a "beautiful balloon" to the Blog section on my page for a charming visit with Marilyn & Billy--from their hearts to yours!
Thanks for the add. It’s great to be part of this group.
TMNK was brought to my mind recently when I was riding the NYC subway and overheard 2 teenage girls singing, “If I Had a Million Dollars”. Amazed at hearing this for the first time in more than 25 years, I (actually*) turned around to watch these girls giggle through several songs from the show, in vary good voice I might add. I recalled being an annoying teenager in the subway singing songs on the train with my friends, and I (actually*) smiled.
When my stop came I approached the girls and asked them if they were performing TMNK at their school. They both beamed excited and told me that they had just performed it the night before and were performing it again on 12/23. They were students at the brand new Gramercy Arts H.S. in lower Manhattan. “She’s Melba! I’m play Lillian!” one girl announced with pride when I briefly shared with her that I was interested because I had done the show too.
QUESTION: I wonder if anyone has any details about this performance. I think it would be great to see the show next week. Does anyone know anything about it? Times? Public access? Thanks. Tanya
Give the gift of music this Christmas! Tamara wants YOU to know that her Christmas compilation CD 'CHRISTMAS IN THE SON' is NOW ON SALE at A&B Soundz, Sheraton Centre- Cave Shepherd, Bridgetown & #1 Record Shop (now VALZ) Independence Square. "Wishing you an amazing Christmas and may the new year allow you to love yourself....your neighbour....faults and all...remembering that there is someone out there worse off than you. Embrace the gift of life! Merry Christmas & Endless Blessings To All !!! Tamara.
Thank you for the amazing impact that you all and The Me Nobody Knows made on Musical Theatre & on a 14 year old kid from Norfolk, Va who first took the stage as Benjamin & has been bless to work in the Entertainmnet Industry for over 15 years now !!!
"Since Men & Rat's Are The Only Beings That Purpoley Kill There Own Kind, And We Exterminate Rat's ... What Does That Make Us????????????"
Thanks for finding us on myspace. I played Nell in The Me Nobody Knows and it is still one of my favorite rolls:)
The director's cut of my film "King Kaufman: The Passion of Lloyd" will have its world premier at the SoCal Independent Film Festival in Huntington Beach. Hope you can make it! www. socalfilmfest. com The DVD will be released shortly.
Thank you for supporting independent artists! sj
What happens when Toronto filmmaker Shauna Jaeger sets out to discover what's behind the mad-genius of Lloyd Kaufman - president and founder of Troma Entertainment and the creator of The Toxic Avenger? Blood is spilled, skin is torn, pants are dropped and a few breasts are revealed. General madness ensues as Jaeger and her team follow this B-movie legend from New York City to Toronto to Buffalo in an attempt to find out what has pushed this legendary, independent filmmaker to keep making movies, successful or otherwise, for over 30 years.
...as a new member of my "Family of Friends" all I ask is that you come in and relax, show respect, enjoy the music & the videos, stop by and holla from time to time, and most of all.... "Please, Make Yourself At Home"!!! from, "The SoulfulProducer's!!! Legends Page"
A pleasure to have you as a new friend! Stop on by to FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, the monthly tribute Blog for the multi-Grammy winning quintet. And yes, The 5th Dimension's indelible version of LIGHT SINGS is as awesome as your legendary musical! Blessings, Robert-Allan Arno
Thank you guys so much for requesting me and adding me to 'The Me Nobody Knows' myspace page. Being a part of several productions of this peice has always been a special honor and experience!
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