Sail Away
by Noël Coward
Awards & Recognition
Nominee: Two 1962 Tony Awards, including Best Producer of a Musical
Synopsis
The Noël Coward musical Sail Away tells the story of a romantic love affair aboard a cruise ship, with all the classic wit and charm of Broadway’s golden era.
Recent divorcée Mimi Paragon (a role originated by Elaine Stritch) is stuck serving tourists as one of the ship’s hostesses when she is drawn to the much younger and strikingly handsome Johnny Van Mier.
Complicating their relationship are several eccentric and hilarious cruise ship characters – from the cynical and quirky Sweeneys; to Johnny’s dominating and diva-like mother, Mrs. Van Mier; to the wacky novelist Spencer Bollard and her wide-eyed niece, Nancy.
The dialogue is peppered with classic Coward witticisms, and the music is composed in the classic Broadway tradition.
An enchanting tour-de-farce for theatre groups and musical lovers alike, Sail Away is a journey you will not forget!
Press Reviews
"Cantankerous charm... It's the novelty numbers and the character roles that give Sail Away its meat."
— Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"A big, handsome, rakish vessel of a musical. It carries a cargo of shrewdly observed people, swift funny lines, full-length comic scenes, gay production numbers and a sentimental love story. Its tunes cover a wide cruise repertory – from the styles of old lace and valentines to rock 'n' roll."
— Howard Taubman, The New York Times
"Out of his own recollections of innumerable voyages, Mr. Coward has called up the comic essence of wonderfully hilarious moments."
— Howard Taubman, The New York Times
Characters
| Character |
|---|
MIMI PARAGON |
JOHNNY VAN MIER |
MRS. VAN MIER |
BARNABY SLADE |
NANCY FOYLE |
ELINOR SPENCER-BOLLARD |
SIR GERARD NUTFIELD |
LADY NUTFIELD |
MR. SWEENEY |
MRS. SWEENEY |
JOE CARRINGTON |
MRS. LUSH |
ALVIN LUSH |
ELMER CANDIJACK |
MAIMIE CANDIJACK |
GLEN CANDIJACK |
SHIRLEY CANDIJACK |
MR. RAWLINGS |
SHUTTLEWORTH |
ALI |
CHILDREN |
GIRL PASSENGER |
ENSEMBLE |
Publication
Sail Away is a play written by Noël Coward and published by Concord Theatricals (2015).
Digital editions available on Amazon Kindle.
Community Reviews
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Buy Play
Paperback
Concord Theatricals · 2015 · 102 pp
Performance Rights
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