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A technical run-through before opening night in Baltimore was so disastrous the managing company told Harper he'd be wise to pack it in. "I began to perspire," Harper recalls, "and then I went out into the lobby of the theatre and I fainted. Three years of my life!" True to show biz tradition the show went on that night and received a standing ovation and four curtain calls. In spite of its problems, The Wiz was beginning to build out-of-town audiences. But not so in New York. When The Wiz began previews, it was still pretty much an unknown entity. With a weekly production nut of $67,000, the show was only grossing $46,000 in previews. There were no advance sales, the front money was gone, and things looked so bad a closing notice was posted backstage on opening night. Harper had a very clear idea of the kind of audience he believed it was possible to pull in. It was not the usual Broadway audience at all, but moviegoers, people who listen to Top Forties radio stations, young people, black people, families, people who've never been to the theatre in their lives, not even to see Raisin. If he could find a way of getting to these people, he was sure The Wiz would win. Trouble was, he needed more money to do it, and what sane backer is going to pour more money into a dying turkey? At this point in the story we have to back up a little to talk about intelligent press agentry. During previews, Sandy Manley, an attractive young woman (who with several other bright young press agents formed the Merlin Group, Ltd.), persuaded The Wiz management to give her a virtually unlimited number of press tickets to use at her own discretion. "Normally, you figure on two pairs of press tickets per performance," she explained, "but with no advance sales, if we had nothing else, we had seats. I invited all the deejays, the talent co-ordinators from radio and TV programs, and all the newspaper reporters and freelance feature Continued on page 14 [[end page]] [[start page]] PLAYBILL dining and entertainment guide AMERICAN/STEAKHOUSES ALGONQUIN - 59 West 44th Street. Delightful after theater Supper Buffet, serving delicious edibles and potables in a legendary house-party atmosphere. Also superb pre-theatre Dinner. AE. DC. BA. RES.: 687-4400 CATTLEMAN WEST - 51 & 7 (Taft Hotel) 265-1737. Opulent Western Steak House. New! Last Chance Barroom Cabaret Tues.-Sat. 10 PM-2 AM Dance to Ric Belton Trio. Featuring special (showdown) at $5 for complete supper. DIAL-A-STEAK - or lamb chops or lobster and receive baked potato, salad, rolls free. 4-11 P.M. daily in Manhattan to 96th St. (further by spec. arrange.) 15% service charge (min. $2.50) credit cards. 593-3888 FRANKIE & JOHNNIE - 269 W. 45. CUE MAG. - "This Upstairs Restaurant has great steaks, chops, seafood since 1926". Cocktails & Dinner only 4:30-1 AM. Free pkg. From 6 PM. Steps from theatres. D.C., AE, 245-9717, CO 5-9776. GALLAGHER'S STEAK HOUSE - 52nd Street just West of Broadway. Sports and Theatrical Celebrities favorite Steakhouse for over 40 years. Dinner up to 12 midnight including Sundays. 245-5336. GOLDEN LION PUB - 143 W. 44th St. 765-1587 Loc. in heart of thea. dist. Fab. Steak D. $4.95 or Lobster D. 5.95. Free park. for entire evening with $12.95 min. purchase per car. Open for cocktails and luncheon. GREAT AUNT FANNY'S - 340 W. 46th St. 765-7374. VERY CASUAL. DRINKS, LUNCH, (Wed.,Sat.,Sun.,) DINNER, SUPPER; 5-1 MON.-SAT. SUN., 1-10 PM LUNCH FR. $2.95; DINNER FR. $6.50; SUPPER FR. $1.95; 10-2. AE, MC. SPINDLETOP - 254 W. 47th ST. CI 5-7326 THE BEST STEAKS & PRIME RIBS IN N.Y. PIANO MUSIC NIGHTLY COMPLETE DINNERS $5.95 - $8.95 AFTER THEATER SPECIALS FROM $3.95 STEAK & BREW - 221 W. 46 (Edison Hotel) & B'way at 51 Ent. fr. $3.95-$7.95 incl. unlim. salad. Unlim. beer, wine, Sangria $.50 pp. with dinner. Jim Moses plays Tues.-Sat. in 46th St. lounge. WALLY'S - 224 W. 49 St. WALTER GANZI JR. OF THE PALM RESTAURANT WENT WEST TO OPEN WALLY'S. STEAKS & WHALE SIZE LOBSTERS ARE FABULOUS. GREAT FOR LUNCH, PRE & AFTER THEA. DIN. 7 DAYS. 582-0460 ARGENTINE LA MILONGA - 755 9th (cor. 51st) Typical Argentine kitchen with Spanish dishes & seafood specialties. Lunch: Mon.-Fri. Dinner 7 days, 5-11 PM. LATE SUPPER TILL 4 AM. Entertainment Fri. & Sat. Cr. Cds. 586-9867 or 541-8382. BRAZILIAN CHATEAU BRASIL - 252 W. 46 St. FINEST BRAZILIAN REST. IN N.Y. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE THEATRE DIST. SPECS: FEIJOADA & BRAZILIAN BEEF STEW. LUNCH, DINNER & AFTER THEATRE ENTREES $2.50 to $5.50. 221-1620. CHINESE PEKING PARADISE RESTAURANT - 137 W. 52nd St., steps from theatres. Open Lunch, Dinner, After theatre to 1 AM. Mandarin, Szechuan, Hunan creations by master chef UNCLE HO, formerly of Grand Hotel, Taiwan. 757-4605. CREPERIE THE MAGIC PAN - Distinguished French & Hungarian Creperie located in a beautiful French townhouse at 149 E. 57th St. (371-3266) Luncheon, Dinner & Late Supper. Open 7 days. Garden dining. Private Parties. MC, BA, AE. ENTERTAINMENT BROTHERS & SISTERS - 355 W. 46th (off-B'way) Cabaret Room stars Top-rated Award-winning Stars ($3 show charge). Also piano par with free showcase entertainment. Cocktails, dinner, supper, till 1:00 AM 7 days 765-7848. EDDIE CONDON'S - 144 W. 54th. GOOD FOOD & LOTS OF JAZZ. FEAT. BALABAN & CATS, MON-SAT. GUEST NIGHT TUESDAY. DILL JONES AT THE PIANO WEEKDAYS 5-9 pm. NO MIN. L D C S CREDIT CARDS 265-8277 GOLDEN LION PUB - 143 W. 44th St. 765-1587 GALA DINNER & DANCING ENTERTAINMENT REG. DIN. PRICES NO COVER OR MIN. (See American/Steakhouse listing.) LAST CHANCE SALOON - 51st St. & 7th Ave. Located in the Cattleman West. After theatre fare from $2.50 - 5.00. Live Entertainment & dancing Tues-Sat. Perfect spot for late-night rendezvousing. 265-1737. UPSTAIRS AT THE SPINDLETOP - 254 W. 47th St. CI 5-7326 Newest "In Spot" for entertainment. Roberta Sherwood thru May 10th, followed by other top names. After-theatre Supper specials (see American/Steakhouse Listing). YOUR FATHER'S MUSTACHE - 7th Ave & 10th St. 675-4630. Old fashioned fun & food at old fashioned prices. Sing along with Ed Sullivan's favorite banjo band. Present this book for FREE admission. 8:00 pm till late, 7 nites. (Continued on next page) [[advertisement]] THE VERY BEST THERE IS CAESARS PALACE LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89109 For rates, reservations, brochures...see any travel agent, write us direct or phone or N.Y. office: 695-1310 [[image: line drawing of Caesars Palace buildings and grounds]] CAESERS PALACE one of only 12 resorts in world rated ***** by Mobil Travel Guide...the only one in Vegas! a CAESERS WORLD RESORT [/advertisement]]