.gif)
Going Up (musical)
Encyclopedia
Going Up is a musical comedy
in three acts with music by Louis Hirsch
and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach
and James Montgomery. Set in Lenox, Massachusetts
, United States at the end of World War I, the musical tells the story of a writer turned aviator who wins the hand of the high society girl that he loves by his daring handling of the joystick of a biplane
. Popular songs included "Hip Hooray," "If You Look in Her Eyes," "Kiss Me," "Going Up," "Do It for Me," "The Tickle Toe," and "Down! Up! Left! Right!".
The musical was a hit on Broadway
in 1917 and again the following year in London. Revivals and a film adaptation followed.
.
The musical was produced by George M. Cohan
and Sam H. Harris and, after tryouts from November 15, 1917 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
, it opened on Broadway
at the Liberty Theatre in New York on December 25, 1917. It ran for 351 performances, directed by Edward Royce and James Montgomery, starring Edith Day
and featuring the young Ed Begley
. A full-size biplane was used in the production, delighting audiences. The production ran through October 1918, and three companies were sent out to tour it. In the meantime, the musical was introduced to British audiences in Manchester
, England, from May 13, 1918 before transferring to the Gaiety Theatre
to London, opening on May 22, 1918, and running for an even more successful 574 performances. The London cast starred Joseph Coyne
and Marjorie Gordon
and featured Evelyn Laye
. Reviews were uniformly positive. In Australia, Cyril Ritchard
and Madge Elliott starred in the piece in 1919. The piece enjoyed various tours and revivals thereafter.
A 1976 Broadway revival tried out at the Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut
, directed by Bill Gile. The production moved to Broadway, at the John Golden Theatre
, on September 19, 1976, closing on October 31, 1976 after 49 performances. The director was Gile and the choreograper was Dan Siretta (who was nominated for a for a Drama Desk Award
for his work), with sets by Edward Haynes, costumes by David Toser and lighting by Peter M. Ehrhardt. The production starred Brad Blaisdell as Robert and featured Pat Lysinger (Miss Zonne), Stephen Bray (John), Kimberly Farr (Grace), Michael Tartel (Jules), Walter Bobbie
(Hopkinson), Maureen Brennan (Madeleine), Noel Craig (James) and Ronn Robinson (Sam). The show was condensed into two acts and included three interpolated Hirsch songs: "Hello Frisco", from the Ziegfeld Follies
of 1915, with lyrics by Gene Buck, sung by Miss Zonne and the Four Aviators; "I'll Think of You", from The Rainbow Girl, with lyrics by Rennold Wolf, sung by Grace and Robert; and "My Sumurun Girl", from The Whirl of Society, with lyrics by Al Jolson
, sung by Miss Zonne and Sam.
A 1923 motion picture farce was based on the musical, with a screenplay by Raymond Griffith
. It starred Douglas MacLean
, Hallam Cooley
, Francis McDonald
, Hughie Mack
and Marjorie Daw.
, bestselling author Robert Street is very popular and has an ego to match, pretending that writing a book about flying makes one a pilot; he has never been in a plane. His agent thinks it would be a great idea for him to go up in an airplane as a publicity stunt. His girlfriend Grace, whose parents would rather see her marry French flying ace Jules Gaillard, also thinks this is a good idea, as it would impress her father. Jules thinks so too: he challenges Robert to an air race! A mechanician
, Sam Robinson, is sent for; but when he arrives, he is too stout to go up in the airplane, so Robert goes alone. The flight is successful: Robert wins the race and lands in one piece. He happily marries Grace.
Act I
Act II
Act III
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
in three acts with music by Louis Hirsch
Louis Hirsch
Louis Hirsch was a popular composer of songs and musicals in the early 20th century.-Life and career:...
and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach
Otto Harbach
Otto Abels Harbach, born Otto Abels Hauerbach was an American lyricist and librettist of about 50 musical comedies...
and James Montgomery. Set in Lenox, Massachusetts
Lenox, Massachusetts
Lenox is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. Set in Western Massachusetts, it is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,077 at the 2000 census. Where the town has a border with Stockbridge is the site of Tanglewood, summer...
, United States at the end of World War I, the musical tells the story of a writer turned aviator who wins the hand of the high society girl that he loves by his daring handling of the joystick of a biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
. Popular songs included "Hip Hooray," "If You Look in Her Eyes," "Kiss Me," "Going Up," "Do It for Me," "The Tickle Toe," and "Down! Up! Left! Right!".
The musical was a hit on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1917 and again the following year in London. Revivals and a film adaptation followed.
Background and productions
The development of aviation and flying in the early years of the 20th century captivated the public's attention. Going Up is based on a 1910 play, The Aviator, by James Montgomery. The play took on new significance during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
The musical was produced by George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
and Sam H. Harris and, after tryouts from November 15, 1917 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, it opened on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Liberty Theatre in New York on December 25, 1917. It ran for 351 performances, directed by Edward Royce and James Montgomery, starring Edith Day
Edith Day
Edith Day was an American actress best known for her roles in musicals.-Life and career:Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Day made her Broadway debut in Pom-pom in 1916...
and featuring the young Ed Begley
Ed Begley
Edward James Begley, Sr. was an Academy Award-winning American actor.-Biography:Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Begley began his career as a Broadway and radio actor while in his teens. He appeared in the hit musical Going Up on Broadway in 1917 and in London the next year. He later acted in...
. A full-size biplane was used in the production, delighting audiences. The production ran through October 1918, and three companies were sent out to tour it. In the meantime, the musical was introduced to British audiences in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England, from May 13, 1918 before transferring to the Gaiety Theatre
Gaiety Theatre, London
The Gaiety Theatre, London was a West End theatre in London, located on Aldwych at the eastern end of the Strand. The theatre was established as the Strand Musick Hall , in 1864 on the former site of the Lyceum Theatre. It was rebuilt several times, but closed from the beginning of World War II...
to London, opening on May 22, 1918, and running for an even more successful 574 performances. The London cast starred Joseph Coyne
Joseph Coyne
Joseph Coyne , sometimes billed as Joe Coyne, was an American-born singer and actor, known for his appearances in leading roles in Edwardian musical comedy in London.-Life and career:...
and Marjorie Gordon
Marjorie Gordon
Marjorie Gordon was an English actress and singer.Gordon was born in Southsea as Marjorie Kettlewell. Her professional stage career began in 1915 on tour in the chorus of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The next season, she was given the roles of the Plaintiff in Trial by Jury and Lady Psyche in...
and featured Evelyn Laye
Evelyn Laye
Evelyn Laye, CBE was an English theatre and film actress.-Early years and career:Born as Elsie Evelyn Lay in Bloomsbury, London, Laye made her first stage appearance in August 1915 at the Theatre Royal, Brighton as Nang-Ping in Mr...
. Reviews were uniformly positive. In Australia, Cyril Ritchard
Cyril Ritchard
Cyril Ritchard was an Australian stage, screen and television actor, and director. He is probably best remembered today for his performance as Captain Hook in the Mary Martin musical production of Peter Pan....
and Madge Elliott starred in the piece in 1919. The piece enjoyed various tours and revivals thereafter.
A 1976 Broadway revival tried out at the Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,333 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
, directed by Bill Gile. The production moved to Broadway, at the John Golden Theatre
John Golden Theatre
The John Golden Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 252 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan. Designed in a Moorish style along with the adjacent Royale Theatre by architect Herbert J. Krapp for Irwin Chanin, it opened as the Theatre Masque on February 24 1927 with the play Puppets of Passion...
, on September 19, 1976, closing on October 31, 1976 after 49 performances. The director was Gile and the choreograper was Dan Siretta (who was nominated for a for a Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for his work), with sets by Edward Haynes, costumes by David Toser and lighting by Peter M. Ehrhardt. The production starred Brad Blaisdell as Robert and featured Pat Lysinger (Miss Zonne), Stephen Bray (John), Kimberly Farr (Grace), Michael Tartel (Jules), Walter Bobbie
Walter Bobbie
Walter Bobbie is an American theatre director, choreographer, and occasional actor and dancer. Bobbie has directed both musicals and plays on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and was the Artistic Director of the New York City Center Encores! concert series...
(Hopkinson), Maureen Brennan (Madeleine), Noel Craig (James) and Ronn Robinson (Sam). The show was condensed into two acts and included three interpolated Hirsch songs: "Hello Frisco", from the Ziegfeld Follies
Ziegfeld Follies
The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air....
of 1915, with lyrics by Gene Buck, sung by Miss Zonne and the Four Aviators; "I'll Think of You", from The Rainbow Girl, with lyrics by Rennold Wolf, sung by Grace and Robert; and "My Sumurun Girl", from The Whirl of Society, with lyrics by Al Jolson
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
, sung by Miss Zonne and Sam.
A 1923 motion picture farce was based on the musical, with a screenplay by Raymond Griffith
Raymond Griffith
Raymond Griffith was one of the great silent movie comedians.Griffith was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He lost his voice at an early age, causing him to speak for the rest of his life in a hoarse whisper...
. It starred Douglas MacLean
Douglas MacLean
Douglas MacLean was a silent motion picture actor, producer, and writer.-Life and career:...
, Hallam Cooley
Hallam Cooley
Hallam Cooley was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 106 films between 1913 and 1936.He was born in Brooklyn, New York and died in Tiburon, California.-Selected filmography:*Bull's Eye...
, Francis McDonald
Francis McDonald
Francis McDonald was an American actor whose career spanned 52 years. Although never really a headlining actor, he made 41 film and television appearances between 1913 and 1965, appearing in films such as The Temptress in 1926 with Greta Garbo...
, Hughie Mack
Hughie Mack
Hughie Mack was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 195 films between 1910 and 1928.He was born in Brooklyn, New York and died in Santa Monica, California.-Selected filmography:...
and Marjorie Daw.
Synopsis
At the Gordon Inn in Lenox, MassachusettsLenox, Massachusetts
Lenox is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. Set in Western Massachusetts, it is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,077 at the 2000 census. Where the town has a border with Stockbridge is the site of Tanglewood, summer...
, bestselling author Robert Street is very popular and has an ego to match, pretending that writing a book about flying makes one a pilot; he has never been in a plane. His agent thinks it would be a great idea for him to go up in an airplane as a publicity stunt. His girlfriend Grace, whose parents would rather see her marry French flying ace Jules Gaillard, also thinks this is a good idea, as it would impress her father. Jules thinks so too: he challenges Robert to an air race! A mechanician
Mechanician
A mechanician is an engineer or a scientist working in the field of mechanics, or in a related or sub-field: engineering or computational mechanics, applied mechanics, geomechanics, biomechanics, and mechanics of materials...
, Sam Robinson, is sent for; but when he arrives, he is too stout to go up in the airplane, so Robert goes alone. The flight is successful: Robert wins the race and lands in one piece. He happily marries Grace.
Roles and original Broadway and London casts
- Miss Zonne, a telephone girl - Ruth DonnellyRuth DonnellyRuth Donnelly was an American stage and film actress. Her father was the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey....
; Ruby Miller - John Gordon, manager of the Gordon Inn - John Park; Clifton Alderson
- F. H. Douglas, a chronic bettor - Donald Meek; Arthur Chesney
- Mrs. Douglas, his wife - Grace Peters; Elaine Inescort
- Jules Gaillard, their prospective French son-in-law - Joseph Lertora; Henry de Bray
- Grace Douglas, his fiancee - Edith DayEdith DayEdith Day was an American actress best known for her roles in musicals.-Life and career:Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Day made her Broadway debut in Pom-pom in 1916...
; Marjorie GordonMarjorie GordonMarjorie Gordon was an English actress and singer.Gordon was born in Southsea as Marjorie Kettlewell. Her professional stage career began in 1915 on tour in the chorus of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The next season, she was given the roles of the Plaintiff in Trial by Jury and Lady Psyche in... - Madeline Manners, her chum - Marion SunshineMarion SunshineMarion Sunshine , was an American actress. She appeared on Broadway in musicals such as Going Up. She appeared in 26 films between 1908 and 1916....
; Evelyn LayeEvelyn LayeEvelyn Laye, CBE was an English theatre and film actress.-Early years and career:Born as Elsie Evelyn Lay in Bloomsbury, London, Laye made her first stage appearance in August 1915 at the Theatre Royal, Brighton as Nang-Ping in Mr... - Hopkinson Brown, her fiance - Frank Otto; Austin MelfordAustin MelfordAustin Melford was a British screenwriter and film director. He was the brother of the actor Jack Melford.-Selected filmography:Director* Car of Dreams * Oh, Daddy! * Radio Lover Screenwriter...
- Robert Street, author of "Going Up", in love with Grace - Frank Craven; Joseph CoyneJoseph CoyneJoseph Coyne , sometimes billed as Joe Coyne, was an American-born singer and actor, known for his appearances in leading roles in Edwardian musical comedy in London.-Life and career:...
- James Brooks, his publisher - Arthur Stuart Hull; Franklyn Bellamy
- Sam Robinson, a mechanician - Ed BegleyEd BegleyEdward James Begley, Sr. was an Academy Award-winning American actor.-Biography:Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Begley began his career as a Broadway and radio actor while in his teens. He appeared in the hit musical Going Up on Broadway in 1917 and in London the next year. He later acted in...
; Roy Byford - Louis, Gaillard's mechanician - Francois Vaulry; Louis Mathyl
Musical numbers
- Overture
Act I
- No. 1. Paging Mr. Street – Ensemble and Miss Zonne
- No. 2. I'll Bet You – John Gordon and Ensemble
- No. 3. I Want a Determined Boy – Madeline Manners and Hopkinson Brown
- No. 4. If You Look in Her Eyes – Grace Douglas and Madeline
- No. 5. Going Up – Jules Gaillard and Ensemble
- No. 6. First Act, Second Act, Third Act (Finale Act I) – Robert and Grace
Act II
- Entr'acte (reprise of item 4)
- No. 7. The Touch of a Woman's Hand – Grace and Girls
- No. 8. Down, Up, Left, Right – Robert Street, Hopkinson, James Brooks and Sam Robinson
- No. 9. Do It for Me – Madeline and Hopkinson
- No. 10. (Everybody Ought To Know How to Do) The Tickle Toe – Grace and Ensemble
- No. 11. Kiss Me – Grace and Jules
- No. 12. She'll tell you what you're to do, dear – Grace and Robert
- No. 13. Finale Act II
Act III
- Entr'acte
- No. 14. Hip hooray, see the crowds appearing – Chorus
- No. 14a. There's a Brand New Hero – Jules, Madeline and Ensemble
- No. 15. Here's to the Two of You – Grace and Ensemble
- No. 16. You start to sway – Ensemble
- No. 17. Finale Ultimo – "You start to sway" (reprise)