| Three's A Crowd | |
| Venue: | Original Broadway Production |
| Music: | Arthur Schwartz |
| Lyrics: | Howard Dietz |
Three's A Crowd is a 1930 Broadway revue with lyrics by Howard Dietz and others, and music by Arthur Schwartz and others. It was “put together” by Howard Dietz, and produced by Max Gordon.[1]
Three's A Crowd premiered on Broadway at the Selwyn Theatre on October 15, 1930, and closed on June 6, 1931, after 271 performances.
It was “compiled” by Howard Dietz; staged by Hassard Short; dances by Albertina Rasch; with additional songs by Johnny Green, Vernon Duke, Burton Lane, and others. [2] It had settings by Albert R. Johnson and costumes designed by Kiviette.[3]
The cast included Fred Allen, Libby Holman, Clifton Webb, Tamara Geva with Fred MacMurray.[4]
The New York Times opening night review said, “Those responsible for “Three's A Crowd,” and Howard Dietz seems to be chief among them, have put together a bright, smart and tasteful show. It has a pleasant lightness, a sort of unforced gayety, and, for the most part, a quizzical, knowing point of view.” [5]
Stanley Green reported that, “The piece that made the biggest hit, however, was the only one that Dietz was not associated with –“Body and Soul,” by Johnny Green, Robert Sour, and Edward Heymann. . . . The best of the Schwartz and Dietz inspirations was “Something to Remember You By,” a ballad of unhappy leave-talking sung by Miss Holman to a sailor who stood with his back to the audience. He was played by Fred MacMurray."[6]