Breakfast at Tiffany's (musical)

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Studio Recording
Music	Bob Merrill
Lyrics	Bob Merrill
Book	Edward Albee
Basis	Truman Capote novella and 1961 film of the same name
Productions	1966 Broadway (did not officially open) 2013 London

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a musical with music and lyrics by Bob Merrill and a book originally by Abe Burrows but rewritten during pre-Broadway tryouts by Edward Albee. It is based on the 1958 Truman Capote novella and 1961 film of the same name about a free spirit named Holly Golightly.

After tryouts in Philadelphia and Boston, and four previews on Broadway in 1966, the show was closed by producer David Merrick without ever opening officially. Its only revival was a staged concert in 2013 at a 200-seat venue in London. A studio recording was released in 2001.

The original cast included Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Chamberlain, Sally Kellerman, Larry Kert and Priscilla Lopez. The production was designed by Oliver Smith, directed by Joseph Anthony and choreographed by Michael Kidd with assistance from Tony Mordente, and produced by David Merrick. Despite the impressive list of collaborators, the project never gelled. It underwent constant and massive changes in its script and score during out-of-town tryouts. The original book by Abe Burrows was seen in Philadelphia, then scrapped completely, and Edward Albee, an unlikely choice, was hired to re-write before a Boston tryout. Burrows was the original director, but left when Albee was brought in, he was replaced by Joseph Anthony. On a daily basis, the cast was given new material hours before curtain time, and the piece was overlong, running nearly four hours. Burrows' departure resulted in low morale among cast members, and Moore was convinced that Merrick planned to fire her soon after opening night.