Blood Brothers

:There is also the rock band The Blood Brothers.

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Blood Brothers is a 1982 musical, with book, lyrics, and music by Willy Russell.

Related Topics:
1982 - Musical - Willy Russell

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The contemporary prince-and-pauper tale revolves around twins born into an impoverished Liverpool family. Deserted by her husband, and unable to cope with her oversized brood of children, their mother gives one of the boys to the wife of her wealthy employer. Years later, the brothers meet and become inseparable friends, but their relationship is doomed to end tragically.

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Whether it is a child's inherent nature or the way he is nurtured that determines his fate is at the crux of the storyline.

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Although the original production in London's West End, starring Barbara Dickson, was only a modest success, the revival currently at the Phoenix Theatre has been running for years, and has developed a rabid cult following. The central role of Mrs. Johnstone has been played by, among others, Stephanie Lawrence, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, and three of the Nolan sisters.

Related Topics:
London - West End - Barbara Dickson - Phoenix Theatre - Stephanie Lawrence - Kiki Dee - Lyn Paul - Nolan sisters

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Petula Clark gave the sluggish Broadway box office a much-needed boost when she joined the cast on August 16, 1993. She remained with the show until April 1994, then subsequently starred in the US touring company from September of that year until May 1995. She recorded the international cast album with her Broadway co-stars - real-life brothers David Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy - along with Willy Russell himself in the role of the Narrator. Clark's success as Mrs. Johnstone led to the role becoming a calling card for other faded female singers, with Carole King and Helen Reddy following her in the role on Broadway.

Related Topics:
Petula Clark - Broadway - August 16 - 1993 - April - 1994 - September - May - 1995 - David Cassidy - Shaun Cassidy - Carole King - Helen Reddy

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The best known song from the score is "Tell Me It's Not True," which has become a staple in the concert repertoires of Dickson, Clark and Reddy.

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