Two Little Girls in Blue
Encyclopedia
Two Little Girls in Blue is a musical theatre
work composed by Paul Lannin and Vincent Youmans
, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin
(under the pseudonym "Arthur Francis") and a libretto
by Fred Jackson
. The musical premiered at the George M. Cohan's Theatre on Broadway
on May 3, 1921.
, where Lannin worked as a chef. According to Gershwin, "His father wanted him to learn every phase of the hotel business, which didn't include composing." A.L. Erlanger
was brought in as producer, though Youmans and Gershwin were "urged to keep in the background," as Erlanger would be hesitant to produce a work with young writers.
, premiered at the George M. Chochan's Theatre in the Broadway theatre
district in New York City
on May 3, 1921. The opening night cast included Olin Howland
, Madeline and Marion Fairbanks
, Oscar Shaw
, Edward Begley, and Virginia Earle
.
The May 4 review in The Clipper stated: "The lyrics written by Arthur Francis are the best, and seem to show that there are some lyricists who are still able to write a lyric that rhymes also means something." Despite positive comments, Gershwin later wrote that working with Youmans was not a pleasue, as "he wanted to do everything; write, publish, produce, conduct, and show people down the aisle." Wayburn also gave negative statements: "I'm not satisfied to retire from the calling of Producing Stage Director with the reputation of being 'the world's greatest buck dancer.'"
Act II
Act III
§Additional lyrics by Fred Jackson
.
†Additional lyrics by Schuyler Greene.
††Additional lyrics by Irving Ceaser.
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...
work composed by Paul Lannin and Vincent Youmans
Vincent Youmans
Vincent Youmans was an American popular composer and Broadway producer.- Life :Vincent Millie Youmans was born in New York City on September 27, 1898 and grew-up on Central Park West on the site where the Mayflower Hotel once stood. His father, a prosperous hat manufacturer, moved the family to...
, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
(under the pseudonym "Arthur Francis") and a libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Fred Jackson
Fred Jackson
Frederick "Fred" George Jackson is an American football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He attended Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas...
. The musical premiered at the George M. Cohan's Theatre 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...
on May 3, 1921.
Background
The first "conference" for the show was held at the Garden City HotelGarden City Hotel
The Garden City Hotel is a four-star hotel in Garden City, New York, the only four-star hotel on Long Island. The first incarnation was built in 1874 by A.T. Stewart and the current fourth incarnation was built in 1983 by the late Myron Nelkin. It is famous for having hosted many world leaders and...
, where Lannin worked as a chef. According to Gershwin, "His father wanted him to learn every phase of the hotel business, which didn't include composing." A.L. Erlanger
A.L. Erlanger
Abraham Lincoln Erlanger was an American theatrical producer, director, designer, theatre owner, and a leading figure of the Theatrical Syndicate....
was brought in as producer, though Youmans and Gershwin were "urged to keep in the background," as Erlanger would be hesitant to produce a work with young writers.
1921 Broadway premiere
The original production, produced by Erlanger and staged by Ned WayburnNed Wayburn
Ned Wayburn, born Edward Claudius Weyburn, was a choreographer. He was born in Pennsylvania but spent much of his childhood in Chicago where he was introduced to theater and studied classical piano. At the age of 21, he abandoned his family’s tradition of manufacturing and began teaching at the...
, premiered at the George M. Chochan's Theatre in the Broadway theatre
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...
district in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on May 3, 1921. The opening night cast included Olin Howland
Olin Howland
Olin Howland was an American film actor. From 1909 to 1927 he appeared on the Broadway stage while balancing a career in silent movies. In 1921, he appeared in the play Two Little Girls in Blue with Oscar Shaw and the Fairbanks Twins. He was in Janice Meredith with Marion Davies...
, Madeline and Marion Fairbanks
Madeline and Marion Fairbanks
Madeline and her twin sister Marion Fairbanks were stage and motion picture actresses active in the silent era. The two sisters were seemingly inseparable...
, Oscar Shaw
Oscar Shaw
Oscar Shaw , was a stage and screen actor and singer...
, Edward Begley, and Virginia Earle
Virginia Earle
Virginia Earle was an American stage actress remembered for her work in light operas, musical comedies and vaudeville over the decades surrounding the turn of the twentieth century.-Early Life and Career:...
.
The May 4 review in The Clipper stated: "The lyrics written by Arthur Francis are the best, and seem to show that there are some lyricists who are still able to write a lyric that rhymes also means something." Despite positive comments, Gershwin later wrote that working with Youmans was not a pleasue, as "he wanted to do everything; write, publish, produce, conduct, and show people down the aisle." Wayburn also gave negative statements: "I'm not satisfied to retire from the calling of Producing Stage Director with the reputation of being 'the world's greatest buck dancer.'"
Musical numbers
Act I- (We're Off on) A Wonderful Trip
- (Your) Wonderful U.S.A
- When I'm With the Girls
- Two Little Girls in Blue
- The Silly Season
- Oh Me, Oh My, Oh You
- You Started Something When You Came Along
- We're Off to India
Act II
- Here, Steward
- The Gypsy Trail††
- Dolly†
- Who's Who With You?
- Just Like You
- There's Something About Me They Like§
- Rice and Shoes (Sweetest Girl)†
- She's Innocent
Act III
- Honeymoon (When Will You Shine for Me?)
- I'm Tickled Silly (Slapstick)
- Orienta
§Additional lyrics by Fred Jackson
Fred Jackson
Frederick "Fred" George Jackson is an American football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He attended Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas...
.
†Additional lyrics by Schuyler Greene.
††Additional lyrics by Irving Ceaser.
External links
- Two Little Girls in Blue at the Internet Broadway DatabaseInternet Broadway DatabaseThe Internet Broadway Database is an online database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel. It is operated by the Research Department of The Broadway League, a trade association for the North American commercial theatre community....