One Touch of Venus (1943) - 1993 Staged Concert

Music by Kurt Weill
Lyrics by Ogden Nash
Book by S.J. Perelman and Ogden Nash (Based on "The Tinted Venus" by F.J. Antsey)

Dates

July 22, 1993-July 25, 1993

Directed and Choreographed by Dennis Kohles
Musical Director: Michael Horsley

Playbill Notes

One Touch of Venus opened to enthusiastic notices on October 7th, 1943 and ran for two years. Originally conceived as a vehical for Marlene Dietrich (who eventually turned it down as "lewd and profane"), the show opened in New York starring Mary Martin as Venus, Kenny Baker as Rodney, Paula Lawrence as Molly Grant, and John Boles as Whitelaw Savory. It was Ms. Martin's first starring role on Broadway. A movie version, released a few years later, starred Ava Gardner, Robert Walker, and Eve Arden.

The last San Francisco production, directed by Dean Goodman, was in 1960.

The show was produced in New York in Concert in 1983 featuring Paige O'Hara, Lee Roy Reams, and Paula Lawrence in her original role of Molly.

The score tonight is complete except for the deletion of two ballets and one ensemble number ("Catch Hatch")

Plot Summary

A long-lost, priceless statue of the goddess Venus is found and placed on display in an art museum in New York. A slow but good-hearted window dresser, Eddie Hatch, kisses the statue when intoxicated. The sculpture comes to life, and the two fall in love, although Eddie is already engaged. Farcical complications ensue, and Eddie takes "Venus" to the model-display house in the store, where the store's boss finds her. He, too, falls in love with her and makes her Glamour Girl Number One. Eddie and Venus dance in Central Park, but Eddie is arrested for stealing the statue.

Venus then goes to the boss to convince him to drop charges against Eddie. Unfortunately, she must return back to her marble state, so Venus goes back to her pedestal and Eddie is released.

While Eddie is sadly preparing for another unveiling of a now-marble Venus, a new employee asks him a question where the model-display house is. She tells him her name is Venus Jones, and she is an exact double of the sculpture Venus. Surprised, Eddie takes her to see the model home himself. (wikipedia)