Paris (1928 musical)
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| Paris | |
| Music | Cole Porter Walter Kollo Louis Alter |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | Cole Porter E. Ray Goetz Roy Turk |
| Book | Martin Brown |
| Productions | 1928 Broadway |
Paris is a musical with the book by Martin Brown, and music and lyrics by Cole Porter, as well as Walter Kollo and Louis Alter (music) and E. Ray Goetz and Roy Turk (lyrics). The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1928, was Porter's first Broadway hit. The musical introduced the song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" sung by the show's star, Irene Bordoni. The story involves a young man from a very proper family in Newton, Massachusetts whose mother is horrified by his intention to wed a French actress.
Contents |
[edit] History
According to writer Stephen Citron in his book Noel & Cole: the Sophisticates, it was with Paris that Cole Porter would be accepted in the "upper echelon" of Broadway composers. Although it was not a revue, the critics could not find the plot. An eleven-piece orchestra was placed in the leading lady's room, singing and dancing as well as providing the orchestral accompaniment. The producer (and also song-writer) Ray Goetz kept the musical in tryouts for almost 8 months, while songs were added and deleted. The song "Let's Misbehave" was dropped in favor of one of Porter's "best known songs", "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love". The censors had insisted that the "Let's Fall in Love" be added to the title.[1]
[edit] Synopsis
Mrs. Cora Sabot is a domineering and haughty society matriarch who lives in Massachusetts. Her son Andrew plans on marrying the famous French actress Vivienne Rolland.
[edit] Songs
All songs are by Cole Porter (music and lyrics) unless noted
- Act I
- The Land of Going To Be (Lyrics By E. Ray Goetz, Music By Walter Kollo) - Vivienne Rolland and Guy Pennel
- Act II
- Paris (Lyrics By E. Ray Goetz, Music By Louis Alter) - Vivienne Rolland
- Babes in the Wood - Vivienne Rolland
- Don't Look at Me That Way - Vivienne Rolland
- Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love - Vivienne Rolland and Guy Pennel
- The Land of Going To Be (Reprise) - Vivienne Rolland
- An' Furthermore (Lyrics By Bud Green, Music By Harry Warren) - The Commanders
- (Oh You) Sweet Old Whatcha-May-Call-It (Lyrics By Roy Turk, Music By Fred E. Ahlert) - The Commanders
- Act III
- The Land of Going To Be (Reprise) - Vivienne Rolland
[edit] Productions
Paris started pre-Broadway tryouts at Nixon's Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City on February 6, 1928, followed by: the Adelphi Theatre, Philadelphia on February 13, 1928; the Wilbur Theatre, Boston as of May 7, 1928; and last the Poli Theatre, Washington DC on September 30, 1928.
The Broadway premiere was at the Music Box Theatre, opening on October 8, 1928 and closing on March 23, 1929, after 195 performances. The musical was directed by William H. Gilmore with choreography by "Red" Stanley. The cast featured Irene Bordoni (Vivienne Rolland), Arthur Margetson (Guy Pennel), Louise Closser Hale (Cora Sabot), Erik Kalkhurst (Andrew Sabot), and Elizabeth Chester (Brenda Kaley). Irving Aaronson and his Commanders was the musical's band.
In 1929 Warner Brothers made the musical into a feature film, starring Bordoni, Jack Buchanan, Jason Robards Sr. and ZaSu Pitts.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Citron, Stephen (2005). Noel & Cole: the Sophisticates. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0634093029, pp. 78-79
[edit] External links
- Paris in the Cole Porter Guide defunct
- Paris at the Internet Broadway Database
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