Take Flight (musical)

Take Flight
Music	David Shire
Lyrics	Richard Maltby, Jr.
Book	John Weidman
Basis	The pioneers of flight: the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart
Productions	2007 Menier Chocolate Factory, London

Take Flight is a musical with book by John Weidman, music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.. The musical is inspired by the early history of aviation, interweaving the lives of the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and her publisher George Putnam, along with such sundry luminaries as Otto Lilienthal, the German "Glider King"; Commander Richard Byrd; French flying aces Nungesser and Coli, and various others.

The musical premiered at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in July 2007, directed by Sam Buntrock.

Prior to the London premiere, private readings were held in October 2004, after a workshop. Maltby directed, with a cast that featured Kelli O'Hara as Amelia Earhart and Christian Borle as Wilbur Wright. The show was also initially presented as a concert at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2004.

It received its American premiere at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, in April 2010 running through June 6. The production was also directed by Sam Buntrock. The cast featured Jenn Colella (Amelia Earhart), Michael Cumpsty (George Putnam), Claybourne Elder (Charles Lindbergh) and Benjamin Schrader (Orville Wright).

The Original Cast Recording of the London production was released by PS Classics in 2008 (ASIN: B000XUOLLQ). One Song, Pffft!, was made available only by digital download.

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