London Musicals 1955-1959.pub - Over The Footlights

PLAIN AND FANCYLondon run: Drury Lane, January 25 th (315 Performances)Music: Albert HagueLyrics: Arnold B. HorwittBook: Joseph Stein & Will GlickmanDirector: Morton da CostaChoreographer: Helen TamarisCast: Shirl Conway (Ruth Winters), Richard Derr (Dan King),Malcolm Keen (Papa Yoder), Grace O’Connor (Katie), Reed de Rouen (Ezra Reber),Joan Hovis (Hilda Miller), Jack Drummond (Peter Reber)Songs: Young and Foolish, Follow Your Heart, Plenty of Pennsylvania, How do youRaise a Barn?, It’s a Helluva Way to Run a Love Affair.19566Story: New Yorkers Don King and his girlfriend Ruth Winters travel to the remote Amish community of Birdin-Hand,where Don has inherited a farm, and wants to sell it to an Amish farmer, Papa Yoder. Yoder’sdaughter, Katie, is about to go through anarranged marriage to Ezra Reber, though sheloves an old flame, Peter, Ezra’s brother. Peterhas left the community and returns just beforethe wedding, only to be shunned by thetownsfolk. When the barn burns down, Peter isaccused of putting a hex on it.All is resolved when Peter’s bravery in a crisisgains him the respect of Papa Yoder, and theyoung couple are allowed to marry. Don andRuth make it a double wedding.Notes: This was known as the show in whichthey built a barn onstage. The opening of Act 2had a most spectacular three-minute song wherethe company constructed a complete barn in fullsight of the audience. In the original Broadwayproduction Barbara Cook became an overnightstar in the role of Hilda Miller.SHE SMILED AT MELondon run: St Martin’s Theatre, February 2 nd (4 performances)Book, music and lyrics: Allon BaconDirector: Jack WilliamsChoreographer: Thurza RogersMusical Director: Harry TaitProducer: Melville GillamCast: Peter Byrne (George D’Alroy), Jean Kent (Esther Eccles),Hugh Paddick (Sam Gerridge), Mercy Haystead (Polly),Linda Gray (Marquise de St Maur)Songs: Pity the Working Man, Stick T’Yer Class, Life is an Empty Thing, Marry for LoveStory: Despite the warnings of his friend, Hawtree, about the importance of “caste” and social class, the HonGeorge D’Alroy woos and weds the beautiful dancer Esther Eccles, whose father is a drunkard. Esther’s sister,Polly, marries the honest plumber, Sam Gerridge. George is posted to India and a report comes back that hehas been killed. Esther refuses to “sell” their child to George’s mother, the Marquise de St Maur, knowing theywill survive with the help of Polly and Sam and her own earnings by returning to the stage. George reappears,having survived and escaped, and is delighted with Esther’s resourcefulness.Notes: Based on the play “Caste” by Tom Robertson, this had originated at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing.To make it more attractive for the West End, the original leading lady was replaced by film star Jean Kent. Itwas booed on the opening night, and came off the same week.