Something for the Boys (1943)

September 8 - 18, 1994
New Conservatory Theatre

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Herbert & Dorothy Fields

Directed by Greg MacKellan
Musical Director: Pat Parr
Choreographer: Jacinta Gorringe

Playbill Notes

Something For the Boys sprang to life when librettist/lyricist Dorothy Fields read a news report about a defense factory worker who became a radio receiving set through caborundum in his fillings. Miss Fields took the idea to Ethel Merman (than in the hospital for the birth of her first child) and both agreed it was an idea worth pursuing. Cole Porter signed on to write the songs for what would become his fifth show with Merman, Herbert Fields joined his sister Dorothy in writing the book, and Mike Todd agreed to produce. The show's title, Jenny, Get Your Gun, was eventually dropped when Porter came up with the catchy "Something For the Boys" number. (Miss Fields and "the Merm" obviously liked the title though, since a variation of it wound up as the title of their next musical--Annie Get Your Gun.)

The opening on January 8, 1943 at New York's Alvin Theatre was greeted with critical raves:

"Another one of those happy overnight hits. Buoyantly spirited songs, a book chockfull of sane and smart patter...the cheeriest news Broadway's had in weeks."
(Burns Mantle, NY Daily News)

A big, fast glittering musical comedy."
(Lewis Nichols, NY Times)

"The first smash hit musical comedy of the season. Not only tuneful to listen to, it is also one of the funniest musicals Broadway has seen in some time."
(Wilella Waldorf, NY Post)

"Never a dull moment, Mr. Todd's New Year's gift to Broadway is quite on the beam and sets a fast pace for the remainder of the season to follow."
(G.E. Blackford, NY Journal American)

In addition the expected raves for Miss Merman, there were plaudits for Paula Lawrence, a popular nightclub chanteuse with a droll delivery, in the part of Chiquita, for film comedian Allen Jenkins as Harry, Billy Johnson in his first leading role as Rocky Fulton, and for newcomer Betty Garrett, who made a splash singing "I'm in Love With a Soldier Boy," which along with the zany novely number "By the Mississiniwah," quickly became the show's biggest hit.

The score was well-received, but if it didn't get the knock-down raves of Anything Goes or Gay Divorce, it may have been a reflection of Porter's resolve to write the show "for the common man." Occasionally criticized for his ultra-sophisticated lyrics which made frequent use of high-society in-references, Porter set out to write a simpler score which suited the dreams and aspirations of the new show's middle class characters. Although the score is full of first-rate gems like "He's a Right Guy," and "When My Baby Goes to Town,' only the zippy (and extremely naughty) "Leader of a Big-Time Band" has survived as a Porter classic.

Although Something For the Boys enjoyed a run of a year-and-a-half (cut short only by Miss Merman's second pregnancy, which also prevented a tour), it was somewhat overshadowed by Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, which opened two months later. If Oklahoma! signaled an exciting new direction for the Broadway musical, Something For the Boys represented the old-style, songs-and-gags musical romp in a state-of-the-art presentation. It aspired only to entertain you for a couple of hours, and send you home with a smile on your lips and a Cole Porter song in your heart. We hope it will serve the same purpose for our 42nd Street Moon audiences!

--Greg MacKellan

Plot Summary

In the sassy musical, three cousins from New York -- machinist Blossom, con man Harry, and revue singer Chiquita (played by Meg Mackay, Steven Patterson and Lesley Hamilton) -- inherit a plantation called Magnolia Manor deep in the heart of Texas. On their arrival, however, they discover that their piece of Southern charm is knee-deep in taxes, termites, and troubles. Sgt. Rocky Fulton (Steven Rhyne) from the nearby Army base offers to help convert the manor into a hotel for Army wives, and to pay bills until its opening, the Hart cousins decide to -- what else? -- put on a show. Liberally strewn throughout this musical are complications romantic, military, and just plain absurd -- such as Blossom finding herself able to pick up radio transmissions through her fillings -- which add up to a lighthearted theatre experience.

Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO (27 July 1994) -- Hailed as "An instant success in its debut season" by the San Francisco Chronicle, the acclaimed Lost Musicals Series, produced by 42nd Street Moon, opens its fourth season of presenting musical theater's buried treasures. First on the boards is a Cole Porter musical with book by siblings Herbert and Dorothy Fields, Something For the Boys, a tale of three brassy New York cousins who tackle Texas and turn the U.S. Army on its ear, to be presented at the New Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, September 8 - 18, 1994.

Something For the Boys was originally titled Jenny Get Your Gun and opened at Broadway's Alvin Theatre on January 7, 1943, where it ran for more than 400 performances. Gun-toting gal Ethel Merman (who went immediately from Jenny Get Your... to Annie Get Your Gun) lent her considerable pipes to the role of cousin Blossom Hart, a "New Yawk chorus goil" who becomes a war-time defense worker, reluctant Texas ranch owner and unwitting heroine when she receives Army radio communications through her tooth fillings. In Something For the Boys Merman introduced such Porter tunes as "Hey, Good Lookin'", "By the Mississiniwah". "Something for the Boys" and "Leader of a Big-Time Band". This was Merman's fifth and final Porter musical in a collaboration that began with Anything Goes in 1934.

Beach Blanket Babylon alumna Meg Mackay (expanding her lungs even as we speak) steps into the Mermanesque role of Blossom Hart. Mackay has been seen nationally in the touring company of Torch Song Trilogy and locally in And What, Give Up Showbiz? and in her acclaimed cabaret act with husband Billy Philadelphia.

Starring as the other two Hart cousins are Lesley Hamilton as Chiquita, a sassy nightclub entertainer and Jim Friedman as fast-talking sidewalk pitch-man, Harry Hart. Hamilton has previously been seen in the Lost Musicals Series as Molly in One Touch of Venus. Other local appearances include Party of One and the role of Young Sally in San Jose Civic Light Opera's critically acclaimed Follies. Friedman performed with 42nd Street Moon in Fifty Million Frenchmen and Du Barry was a Lady and has also appeared with San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, PCPA Theaterfest and Marin Theatre Company.

Greg MacKellan and Stephanie Rhoads, co-founders of 42nd Street Moon, chose Something For the Boys for its World War II theme, coinciding this year with 50th anniversary celebrations of D-Day. The production is directed by MacKellan, with musical direction by Pat Parr.

42nd Street Moon presents the Lost Musicals Series as staged readings. Sets and costumes are kept to a minimum in order to highlight the story and especially the musical numbers, which are sung and danced as they would be in a full-scale production. Says MacKellan, "There are so many wonderful musicals by classic composers that don't get done anymore due to prohibitive economics. Our budget-conscious approach allows us to be a part of keeping America's musical theatre history alive."

42nd Street Moon, named after a 1920's song about the lights on Broadway, is a collaboration that began in 1993. Rhoads, a long-time performer on the Bay Area scene, has been seen in the national tour of Some Like it Cole and in Beach Blanket Babylon. Actor/director MacKellan has also produced six compact discs of forgotten show tunes. "Greg and I were both profoundly influenced by the romance of Broadway's past," says Rhoads. "The Lost Musicals Series is the result of that shared love." The company presents two series per year, with three musicals in each series.