America's Sweetheart (musical) explained

America’s Sweetheart
Music:Richard Rodgers
Lyrics:Lorenz Hart
Productions:1931 Broadway

America's Sweetheart is a musical comedy with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Herbert Fields.[1]

Production

America's Sweetheart premiered on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on February 10, 1931, and closed on June 6, 1931, after 135 performances. It was produced by Laurence Schwab and Frank Mandel, directed by Monty Woolley, with choreography and production supervision by Bobby Connolly, with set design by Donald Oenslager and costume design by Charles Le Maire. The show starred Jack Whiting, Ann Sothern (using her real name Harriet Lake), Inez Courtney,[2] and Virginia Bruce.[1]

The show is a Hollywood satire, and is mainly set in Los Angeles but with some scenes in Agua Caliente, Tijuana in Mexico and in the state of Tennessee.[1] Two young lovers hitchhike to Hollywood to make their fortune. The girl hits it big and loses interest in her boyfriend, who hasn't fared as well. Later, the introduction of talking pictures reverses their fortunes, and the boyfriend's career eclipses the girlfriend's, but they make up.[1]

Songs

Act 1

Act 2

Cast

!!1931 Broadway
S.A. DolanJohn Sheehan
Larry PitkinGus Shy
Madge FarrellInez Courtney
Michael PerryJack Whiting
Geraldine MarchHarriette Lake
Denise TorelJeanne Aubert
PaulaVera Marsh
DorithDorothy Dare
LottieSue Moore
Miss MulliganVirginia Bruce
Telephone OperatorAlice Burrage
DoloresFrancetta Malloy
StenographerTerry Carroll
Mr. CorriganFrank Dow
Mr. ClarkFred Shawn
Mr. GouldingHerbert Hall
Mr. ButlerBudd Clark
Mr. McCaryChas Fowler
Booking AgentAl Downing
Georgia/Georgianna/GeorgetteHilda Forman, Louise Forman, Maxine Forman
Radio AnnouncerRaoul DeTisne
PolicemanO.J. Vanase

External links

References

  1. Book: America's Sweetheart. 103-105. The Complete Book of 1930s Broadway Musicals. Dan Dietz. 2018. 9781538102770. Rowman & Littlefield.
  2. News: 1975-04-07 . INEZ COURTNEY . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-02-03 . 0362-4331.
  3. Web site: Program (dated 2/10/1931) for America's Sweetheart at The Broadhurst Theatre . 2023-02-03 . NYPL Digital Collections . en.