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Partial 3 sheet original theater poster for the 1983 Broadway musical fantasy "Merlin," which starred famous illusionist Doug Henning in the title role alongside legendary performer Chita Rivera.The production ran at the historic Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City. The artwork captures the vibrant, mystical essence of the show, illustrating Henning conjuring magic surrounded by fantastical imagery, animals, a giant robotic knight, and a close-up of Rivera portraying the wicked Queen.Notable History & TriviaThe Creative Team: The show featured music by world-class film composer Elmer Bernstein, lyrics by Don Black, and a book written by Richard Levinson and William Link—the legendary creators of television's Columbo. It was directed by Ivan Reitman, known for directing hit movies like Ghostbusters.Famous Early Careers: While Henning and Rivera took top billing, the supporting cast featured very young actors who would later become major stars—including a newcomer named Nathan Lane (playing Prince Fergus) and a young Christian Slater (playing Young Merlin/Arthur).A Notorious Preview Period: "Merlin" is well-remembered in Broadway history for its troubled, extraordinarily long preview phase. The show played a staggering 69 preview performances. Producers repeatedly postponed the official opening night and charged full ticket prices while barring theater critics from attending so that Henning could perfect the massive, technically volatile magic illusions.The Illusions: Despite weak reviews for its script and acting, the show was celebrated for its breathtaking practical effects. Over the course of the evening, Henning levitated and flew freely across the stage, made himself and a live white horse vanish inside a box suspended mid-air, and had separate pieces of metal armor assemble into a walking warrior completely on their own. |
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