History
The original Broadway production of Sweet Charity opened on January 29, 1966 at the Palace Theatre, and ran for 608 performances. The production was nominated for 12 Tony Awards winning only one, for Fosse's choreography.
The 1969 film version, Was directed and choreographed by Fosse, starred Sirley MacLaine and McMartin, The movie also included Stubby Kaye Sammy Davis Jr. and Chita Rivera. The movie was notable for its costumes and its dance sequences.
The show was revived on Broadway in 1986 and won four Tony Awards for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor in a Musical Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Best Costume Design.
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The Story
ACT I
Charity Hope Valentine a girl with a heart tattoed on her left arm is meeting her boyfriend in the park. and tells him how great he's looking. Charlie, then grabs her bag, pushes her into the lake and runs off.
Charity works at 'The Fan-Dango Ballroom'. she explains to her friends how Charlie tried to save her - 'He made a grab for me but all he got was my handbag.'
Film star Vittorio Vidal rushes out of the smart Pompeii Club, in pursuit of his mistress, Ursula. He bowls Charity over in more ways than one. Ursula refuses to go back inside with Vittorio, who promptly takes the only-too-willing Charity instead.
Inside the Pompeii Club, To everyone's astonishment, Charity sits down with the famous Vittorio Vidal. Not having eaten since breakfast, Charity faints. There is general agreement that she needs to be 'laid down'. 'But where?' asks Vittorio. Charity opens her eyes, 'Your apartment!'
Charity admits she's a dance hall hostess, putting it down to 'the fickle finger of fate' - a favourite expression of her's. Charity asks for a signed photograph to prove to the girls she was really in his apartment. While Vittorio fetches props from his old movies, Charity sings excitedly "If My Friends Could See Me Now". Ursula arrives to apologise for her jealousy. Charity is swiftly bundled into a closet before Vittorio opens the door to his fiancée.
Vittorio sings romantically to Ursula while passing a beer to the closet-hidden Charity who watches through the keyhole as Vittorio and Ursula make love.
Charity makes a 'Big Decision'. She's going to get some culture.
At the YMCA, Charity gets stuck in the lift with shy, panicky tax accountant, Oscar Lindquist. She finds out he isn't married. Act One ends with them yelling for help.
Act Two
Finds them still in the elevator, Finally released, Oscar invites Charity to go to The Rhythm Of Life Church, which is holding its unorthodox meeting in an underground car park, which is raided and broken up by the Police. Afterwards, Oscar proposes another date. he kisses her hand, and dubs her 'Sweet Charity'.
Two weeks later, Oscar and Charity are still seeing each other and she still hasn't told him what she actually does for a living.
Later Charity meets Oscar and admits that she's a dance hall hostess. But he knows. He followed her one night. He doesn't care and wants to marry her.
After a farewell party at the Ballroom Charity and Oscar walk in the park when Oscar drops the bombshell. He can't marry her. He's been thinking about all the men before him. Oscar pushes her into the lake and leaves.
Charity emerges. at least she still has her bag. Charity shrugs, and begins to dance, alone again. And so she lived “Hopefully” ever after'.
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