Here's Howe is a musical in two acts with music by Roger Wolfe Kahn and Joseph Meyer and lyrics by Irving Caesar.[1][2] The swing music standard "Crazy Rhythm" was written for this show.[3] The work's musical book was written by Fred Thompson and Paul Gerard Smith.[1] The musical is set mainly in Boston, Massachusetts at the Tredwell Motor Company where the play's central characters work; but with additional scenes in Havana, Cuba when the characters take a trip abroad.[4]
Productions
editThe musical premiered at the Shubert Theatre in Boston on April 23, 1928, for a week of tryout performances.[5]
The work opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on May 1, 1928, and was produced by Alex. A. Aarons and Vinton Freedley with Paul Lannin serving as musical director; Sammy Lee as choreographer; costumes designed by Kiviette; and scenic designs by John Wenger.[6][2] It closed after 71 performances on June 30, 1928.[2]
Time called the Broadway production one "for fun-loving rovers".[7]
Cast
editThe production marked the American debut of French soprano and actress Colette D'Arville as Claudette Pernier.[8][5] Other leading performers in the show included William Frawley as Toplis, Ben Bernie, as Dan Danny, Eric Blore as Sir Basil Carraway, Irene Delroy as Joyce Baxter, Peggy Chamberlain as Cora Bibby, Allen Kearns as Billy Howe, Helen Carrington as Toni Treadwell, Ross Himes as Mr. Petrie, and Dillon Ober as Wilbur.[6]
Musical numbers
editAct l
edit- Dismissal Whistle (Cora and Employees)
- Beauty in the Movies (Edwin, Mary, and Girls)
- Life as a Twosome (Joyce, Billy, and Ensemble)
- Crazy Rhythm (Dan, Cora, Mary, and Ensemble)
- Imagination (Joyce and Billy)
- Specialty (a) (Dan Danny and Orchestra)
- Dance (b) (Cora and Petrie)
- Dance (c) (Joyce)
- Finale[2]
Act ll
edit- Opening (Ensemble)
- I'd Rather Dance Here Than Hereafter (Cora, Petrie, and Ensemble)
- Here's Howe (Billy and Girls)
- A New Love (Joyce and Girls)
- Finaletto
- Specialty (Pelham)
- Boston Post Road (Billy and Helpers)
- Finale (company)[2]
References
edit- ^ a b J. Brooks Atkinson. THE PLAY; Saluting the Summer.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d e "Here's Howe (Broadway, Broadhurst Theatre, 1928)". Playbill. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Roger Wolfe Kahn & His Orchestra.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Gerald Bordman (2001). American Musical Theater: A Chronicle. Oxford University Press. p. 489. ISBN 9780195130744.
- ^ a b "Musical Comedy: "Here's Howe" for Boston". Billboard. Vol. 40, no. 15. April 14, 1928. p. 8.
- ^ a b Abel (May 9, 1928). Legitimate: Plays on Broadway - HERE'S HOWE!. Vol. 91. p. 69.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Theatre: Best Plays in Manhattan: May 28, 1928". Time. 1928-05-28. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "Keller and Shannon Join Hands To Produce". Billboard. Vol. 40, no. 7. February 18, 1928. p. 13.
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