The Night That Made America Famous

The Night That Made
America Famous
Original Broadway Playbill
MusicHarry Chapin
LyricsHarry Chapin
BasisThe songs of Harry Chapin
PremiereFebruary 26, 1975 (1975-02-26)
Productions1975 Broadway

The Night That Made America Famous is a 1975 musical revue featuring the songs of Harry Chapin. The music consists of a combination of songs written for the musical and songs from Chapin's four previous albums, the latter including "What Made America Famous?", a song about a plumber who rescues a group of hippies from a fire. A lyric from that song gives the musical its title.[1]

Chapin appeared in the mixed–media musical, alongside a cast that included his brothers, Tom and Stephen, who were both featured performers and musicians.[2] The production was directed by Gene Frankel. Originally scheduled to open February 4, 1975, it opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York on February 26, 1975, after fourteen previews, and closed on April 5, 1975 after 47 performances.[3]

  1. ^ "CLASSIC CONCERT: Harry Chapin's The Night That Made America Famous @ Ethel Barrymore Theatre / New York, NY / May 23, 1975". Music City Mike. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  2. ^ Holden, Stephen (1985-04-30). "THE STAGE: STORIES BY CHAPIN". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  3. ^ Gambaccini, Paul (January 16, 1975). "Harry & Sandy Chapin's Cat". Rolling Stone. p. 15.