Alan Jay Lerner: A Lyricist's Letters (7 page)

    
54
Lerner,
Street
, 33 and 34.

    
55
Irene Manning (1912–2004) appeared in the films
Yankee Doodle Dandy
(1942) and
The Desert Song
(1943), as well as stage productions and her own TV show.

    
56
Patricia Marshall (1928–) appeared in the Broadway productions of
What’s Up?, The Pajama Game
(replacement cast), and
Mr. Wonderful
.

    
57
“‘Carib Song’ Listed for Sept. 25 Debut,”
New York Times
, August 11, 1945, 14.

    
58
“Jed Harris Plans 2 Shows This Fall,”
New York Times
, August 24, 1945, 15.

    
59
“Claiborne Foster in New Lang Play,”
New York Times
, October 13, 1945, 21.

    
60
Sam Zolotow, “National to House J. C. Wilson Show,”
New York Times
, November 1, 1945, 20
.

    
61
Anon, “Playgoer at the Shubert,”
Harvard Crimson
, November 6, 1945. (Accessed on 10 January 2013 at
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1945/11/6/playgoer-pmusicals-like-lady-in-the/
.)

    
62
Lewis Nichols, “The Play,”
New York Times
, November 23, 1945, 27
.

    
63
Maurice Abravanel (1903–93) was an American conductor who performed with many of the world’s great orchestras and opera companies, as well as a number of Kurt Weill’s Broadway musicals (including
Lady in the Dark, One Touch of Venus
and
Street Scene
).

    
64
Lees,
Inventing Champagne
, 45.

    
65
Edward Padula (1916–2001) had a long career on Broadway that included
Seventh Heaven
(1955, assistant director),
Rumple
(1957, stage manager),
Bye Bye Birdie
(1960, producer), and
All American
(1962, producer).

    
66
British actor Tom Helmore (1912–95) appeared in numerous plays on Broadway; his turn as Gerald in
The Day before Spring
was his only major credit in a musical.

    
67
“Helmore to Play in Metro Musical,”
New York Times
, February 25, 1946, 31.

    
68
Sam Zolotow, “‘Flamingo Road’ Arriving Tonight,”
New York Times
, March 19, 1946, 33
.

    
69
Sam Zolotow, “Karson May Offer a Musical in Fall,”
New York Times
, June 4, 1946, 33
.

    
70
Billy Rose (1899–1966) was a major impresario (with credits including
Jumbo
and
Carmen Jones
) and occasional lyricist.

    
71
Sam Zolotow, “‘Playboy’ to Open at Booth Oct. 2,”
New York Times
, September 6, 1946, 17.

    
72
Lerner,
The Musical Theatre
, 166.

    
73
Cheryl Crawford (1902–86) co-founded The Group Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre. She produced the original Broadway productions of
One Touch of Venus
(1943),
Paint Your Wagon
(1951), and
Jennie
(1963).

    
74
Agnes de Mille (1905–1993) was one of the leading choreographers of Broadway’s Golden Age, with additional credits including
Paint Your Wagon
(1951),
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
(1949), and
Goldilocks
(1958).

    
75
Sam Zolotow, “News of the Stage,”
New York Times
, March 17, 1947, 26. This article gives some fascinating statistics on the show’s weekly gross ($43,000) and running costs ($22,00), as well as a list of the 38 backers.

    
76
Robert Lewis (1909–97) was a prolific actor and director, who co-founded the Actors Studio in New York in 1947.

    
77
Lemuel Ayers (1915–55) was responsible for the designs of the original Broadway productions of
Kiss Me, Kate
(1948),
Kismet
(1953), and
The Pajama Game
(1954).

    
78
Sam Zolotow, “‘Set ’Em Up, Tony’ Halts This Week: Signed for New Show,”
New York Times
, December 6, 1946, 29.

    
79
Louis Calta, “New Opera Troupe Is Reviving ‘Topaz,’”
New York Times
, January 4, 1947, 11.

    
80
Brooks Atkinson, “The New Play,”
New York Times
, March 14, 1947, 28
.

    
81
Reviews quoted in Suskin,
Opening Night
, 103–107.

    
82
Gene Kelly (1912–1996) was the star of
An American in Paris
(1951) and
Singin’ in the Rain
(1952), among dozens of stage and screen projects; he was also a prolific director.

    
83
Sally Ann Howes (1930–) is a stage and screen actress, perhaps best known for appearing in the film
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
(1968). Her numerous credits include Eliza in
My Fair Lady
on Broadway.

    
84
Robert Goulet (1933–2007) appeared in dozens of musical productions, including the original production of
Camelot
on Broadway.

    
85
Alan Jay Lerner, “Explanation,”
New York Times
, March 30, 1947, X3.

    
86
Lerner,
Street
, 26–27.

    
87
Lewis Funke, “News and Gossip Gathered on the Rialto,”
New York Times
, March 30, 1947, X1
.

    
88
Mary Martin (1913–1990) was one of the preeminent musical theater actresses of her generation. Her Broadway appearances included
One Touch of Venus
(1943),
South Pacific
(1949),
Peter Pan
(1954),
The Sound of Music
(1959), and
I Do, I Do
(1966), as well as a number of film and television roles.

    
89
Kurt Weill (1900–50) was one of the most important composers of his generation, both in art music and on Broadway (for which his credits include
Lady in the Dark
, 1941).

    
90
Sam Zolotow, “New Team May Do Song, Dance Show,”
New York Times
, July 30, 1947, 27
.

    
91
Leonard Bernstein (1918–90) was well known as a composer, conductor, and teacher. His Broadway musicals include
On the Town
(1944),
Wonderful Town
(1953),
Candide
(1956), and
West Side Story
(1957).

    
92
Morton Gould (1913–96) was a well-known composer and conductor of art music, though his career included several musicals.

    
93
Howard Taubman, “Musicians Return to the Theatre,”
New York Times
, October 26, 1947, X1
.

    
94
Little research has been published on Loewe’s early career, so it is difficult to verify details of his output of art music.

    
95
Gertrude Lawrence (1898–1952) was a popular stage actress, famous in particular for her collaborations with Noel Coward.

    
96
Louis Calta, “News of the Stage,”
New York Times
, September 13, 1947, 8.

    
97
Sam Zolotow, “Another Musical Draws Top Notice,”
New York Times
, September 17, 1947, 30
.

    
98
Lewis Funke, “News and Gossip of the Realto,”
New York Times
, November 2, 1947, X1
.

    
99
Sam Zolotow, “Premire Tonight for ‘Bedfellows,’”
New York Times
, January 14, 1948, 30
.

    
100
Ginger Rogers (1911–95) was one of the most popular screen actresses of the mid-twentieth century, best known for her ten films with Fred Astaire.

    
101
Sam Zolotow, “‘Cradle’ to Close Saturday Night,”
New York Times
, February 4, 1948, 27
.

    
102
Lester Bernstein, “Ibsen Drama Due to Arrive Tonight,”
New York Times
, February 16, 1948, 16
.

    
103
Sam Zolotow, “‘Inside U.S.A.’ Cast Rehearses Today,”
New York Times
, February 27, 1948, 26
.

    
104
Sam Zolotow, “Lawrence’s Cold Cancels Showing,”
New York Times
, March 12, 1948, 28
.

    
105
Bing Crosby (1903–77) was one of the most successful screen and recording artists of his generation, perhaps best remembered for his rendition of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

    
106
A. H. Weiler, “By Way of Report: Life of Gandhi in the Offing?”
New York Times
, March 28, 1948
.

    
107
Vincente Minnelli (1903–86) was the director of such beloved musicals as
Meet Me in St Louis
(1944) and
The Band Wagon
(1953).

    
108
Alfred Drake (1914–92) was popular at the time because of his appearance in the original production of
Oklahoma!
Later, he would appear in the original Broadway production of Lerner’s
Gigi
(1973).

    
109
Eddie Albert (1906–2005) had appeared alongside Drake in
Oklahoma!
in the role of Ali Hakim.

    
110
Lewis Funke, “News and Gossip of the Rialto,”
New York Times
, May 2, 1948, 81
.

    
111
Nanette Fabray (1920–) starred in several important musicals of the 1940s and ’50s, and appeared in the movie
The Band Wagon
(1953).

    
112
Ray Middleton (1907–84) appeared in numerous musicals and films, including the original Broadway
Man of La Mancha
.

    
113
Elia Kazan (1909–2003) was one of the most influential directors of his generation, with credits including the landmark films
On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire
, and
East of Eden
.

    
114
Louis Calta, “Lead in ‘Love-Life’ to Nanette Fabray,”
New York Times
, May 29, 1948, 9
.

    
115
Louis Calta, “Hartman Opposes Equity Proposals,”
New York Times
, July 6, 1948, 20
.

    
116
Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner, “Two on the Street,”
New York Times
, October 3, 1948, X3
.

    
117
Louis Calta, “‘Love Life’ in Bow to Rialto Tonight,”
New York Times
, October 7, 1948, 33
.

    
118
Brooks Atkinson, “At the Theatre,”
New York Times
, October 8, 1948, 31
.

    
119
Sam Zolotow, “Abbott Play Quits Tomorrow Night,”
New York Times
, May 6, 1949, 30
. Crawford reported that the show had made back $40,000 toward the production costs of $180,000.

    
120
Fred Astaire (1899–1987) was one of the most celebrated dancers and screen actors of all time. He appeared in more than two dozen movie musicals, including
Top Hat
(1935),
Swing Time
(1936), and
The Band Wagon
(1953).

    
121
Louis Calta, “Stage Role Likely for E.G. Robinson,”
New York Times
, January 1, 1949, 10
.

    
122
Sam Zolotow, “‘Along Fifth Ave.’ Closes Saturday,”
New York Times
, June 13, 1949, 16
.

    
123
J. P. Shanley, “Lerner and Loewe Work on a Musical,”
New York Times
, July 20, 1949, 31
.

    
124
Jane Powell (1929–) is the star of films such as
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
(1954).

    
125
Powell was cast after Rogers, June Allyson, Vera-Ellen, Judy Garland, and Moira Shearer turned it down, were unavailable, or were rejected.

    
126
Arthur Freed (1894–1973) started out as a successful lyricist but became the most important and influential producer of film musicals of all time, thanks to his work at MGM in the 1940s and ’50s.

    
127
Ezio Pinza (1892–1957) was a leading bass with the Metropolitan Opera before his appearance in the original production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
South Pacific
(1949).

    
128
Harold Arlen (1905–86) was a prolific composer, best remembered for his music for
The Wizard of Oz
(1939).

    
129
Thomas F. Brady, “Play by Saroyan Is Made into Film,”
New York Times
, April 19, 1950, 35
.

    
130
Thomas Bady, “Metro Acquires Two New Stories,”
New York Times
, May 11, 1950, 35
.
The Belle of New York
was eventually written for the screen by Chester Erskine and released in 1952.