Robert Wright (writer) Robert Wright (writer) Robert (Bob) Craig Wright (September 25, 1914 – July 27, 2005) was an American composer-lyricist for Hollywood and the musical theatre best known for the Broadway musical and musical film "Kismet", for which he and his professional partner George Forrest adapted themes by Alexander Borodin and added lyrics. "Kismet" was one of several Wright and Forrest creations that was commissioned by impresario Edwin Lester for the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. "Song of Norway", "Gypsy Lady", "Magdalena", and their adaptation of "The Great Waltz" were also commissioned by Lester for the LACLO. The LACLO then exported most
Kismet (musical) Angeles and then moved to San Francisco in the summer and autumn of 1953. A successful change during the tryouts was to transform the character of Hajj from being merely a beggar to also being a poet. Charles Lederer became producer as well as book writer. The production moved to Broadway on December 3, 1953, playing at the Ziegfeld Theatre. The director was Albert Marre, with choreography by Jack Cole and sumptuous settings and costumes by Lemuel Ayers. The original cast starred Alfred Drake as the poet Hajj, Doretta Morrow as his daughter Marsinah, Richard Kiley as the young Caliph