Fade Out - Fade In

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Original cast recording

Fade Out - Fade In is a musical with a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne.

Comden and Green, who tackled the problems Hollywood players faced when the film industry transitioned from silent movies to talkies in the classic Singin' in the Rain, now turn to Tinseltown in the 1930s. Chorus girl Hope Springfield, full of hope but not much talent, accidentally is given the starring role in a new movie. When the error is discovered, heads roll and the completed film is shelved. But Rudolf, the nephew of studio head Lionel Z. Governor, takes a liking to the girl and arranges for a sneak preview. The movie is a success, Hope (rechristened Lila Tremaine) becomes a star, and in true Hollywood happily-ever-after fashion she and Rudolf walk off into the sunset hand-in-hand.

The show spoofs some of the great film stars of the era, such as Shirley Temple and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Governor is based on MGM honcho Louis B. Mayer, known for his roving eye for pretty starlets and deep-seated nepotism.

After six previews, the Broadway production, directed by George Abbott and choreographed by Ernest Flatt, opened on May 26, 1964 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, where it ran for 274 performances. The cast included Carol Burnett as Hope Springfield, Dick Patterson as Rudolf, and Lou Jacobi as Lionel Z. Governor, with Jack Cassidy and Tina Louise in supporting roles. Cassidy was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Excellent reviews lead to a box office bonanza, and in its early weeks the show consistently outgrossed competitors Hello, Dolly! and Funny Girl. Then Burnett was sidelined due to a serious neck injury sustained in a taxi accident. The production temporarily shut down, then reopened with Betty Hutton in the lead. After recuperating, Burnett returned to the cast, but left shortly afterwards to participate in The Entertainers, a television variety series her husband Joe Hamilton was producing for CBS. When the show's producers threatened a breach-of-contract lawsuit, Burnett returned, but the financial losses sustained during her two absences proved to be insurmountable, and the production soon was shuttered.

An original cast recording was released by Decca Records.

When Burnett created her eponymous variety series in 1967, she hired Fade Out - Fade In choreographer Flatt and lead dancer Don Crichton to join the creative team.