Based on the 1967 film, this show had its first big reading in New York in 1999, with Kristin Chenoweth, David Campbell, Marc Kudisch and Bea Arthur. From there, it went on to have its premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in the fall of 2000, extending its original run and receiving enthusiastic reviews. It officially opened at the Marquis Theatre in New York on April 8, 2002. The show was nominated for eleven 2002 Tony Awards, and won six, including Best Musical, Best Actress (Sutton Foster), Best Featured Actress (Harriet Harris), Best Costume Design, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. This production closed on June 20, 2004.
The London production opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre on October 21, 2003 and closed right after the Broadway version, on June 26, 2004. However, the show can still be seen on national tours, one of which has been travelling the U.S. since 2003, and another one in the UK as well.