Man on the Moon (Original script for the Andy Warhol-produced 1975 stage musical, copy belonging to Monique van Vooren) by [Theatre] [Popular Culture] Andy Warhol (producer); John Phillips (music, lyrics, book); Paul Morrissey (director); Denny Doherty, Genevieve Waite, Monique van Vooren (starring) - 1974

N.p.: N.p., 1974. Working Draft script for the 1975 Andy Warhol-produced musical, copy belonging to Monique van Vooren. Includes 36 additional unbound pages, primarily revisions, as well as twelve pages, staple bound, containing the bulk of dialogue for van Vooren's character, Venus, with name repeatedly circled in holograph pencil. Annotations throughout, both copied and in holograph ink and pencil. Frequent annotated changes to sequence (as well as dialogue), missing sequential pages, and unbound revisions, reflect the continually changing and famously chaotic production.

From the estate of actress Monique van Vooren.

The musical opened on January 29, 1975 at the Little Theatre. It was a star-studded opening night (and after party at Sardi's), with Warren Beatty, Andy Warhol, Diane von Furstenberg, Diana Vreeland, Kurt Vonnegut, Rex Harrison, Yoko Ono, and others in attendance. Unfortunately scathing reviews followed, and after only four days, and a run of ten performances, the production closed on February 1, 1974.

In 1970, John Phillips, inspired by the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, conceived of a space-themed musical project, a space opera, originally entitled "Space," and spent the next five years on the project in its various incarnations. In 1974, Phillips' wife, Genevieve Waite, persuaded Andy Warhol to produce the project as a Broadway musical, with Warhol's collaborator, Paul Morrissey, slated to direct. The project was renamed "Man on the Moon," with Waite, von Vooren, and Denny Doherty slated to star. Reportedly, two weeks before opening night, co-producer Richard Turley fired Morrissey, installing a more experienced Broadway director, uncredited, who changed everything, casting, stage directions, songs, and script.

Phillips would later use some of the songs from the musical for the soundtrack of the 1976 Nicolas Roeg film "The Man Who Fell to Earth," starring David Bowie. In 2009 "Andy Warhol Presents Man on the Moon" was released as part of the "John Phillips Presents" series, and included unreleased demos and songs recorded at a dress rehearsal at The Factory by Warhol.

Self wrappers, integral with first page. 87 leaves, with last page of text unnumbered. Xerographic duplication, rectos only. Pages Very Good plus to Near Fine, bound with ring binder mechanism, lacking wrappers.

Twelve pages bound with staple to top left. Near Fine.

36 unbound pages, Very Good to Near Fine.