This show was presented for the first time anywhere by George Abbott, December 11, 1940, at the Forrest Theater in Philadelphia. It opened December 25, 1940, at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, New York. That production had scenery and lighting by Jo Mielziner, dances by Robert Alton, costumes by John Koenig, and musical arrangements by Hans Spialek. It was staged by Mr. Abbott. I would like to mention the names of the persons in the company (on-stage). They were: Gene Kelly, Robert J. Mulligan, June Havoc, Diana Sinclair, Sondra Barrett, Leila Ernst, Amarilla Morris, Stanley Donen, Vivienne Segal (to be sure!), Jane Fraser, Van Johnson, John Clarke, Averell Harris, Nelson Rae, Jean Castro, Jack Durant, Vincent York, James Lane, Cliff Dunstan, Shirley Paige, Claire Anderson, Alice Craig, Louise de Forrest, Enez Early, Tilda Getze, Charlene Harkins, Frances Krell, Janet Lavis, Olive Nicolson, Mildred Patterson, Dorothy Poplar, Mildred Solly, Jeanne C. Trybom, Marie Vanneman, Adrian Anthony, John Benton, Milton Chisholm, Henning Irgens, Howard Ledig, Michael Moore, and Albert Ruiz.
The revival was presented by Jule Styne and Leonard Key, in association with Anthony B. Farrell, at the Shubert Theater, New Haven, December 25, 1951, and then at the Broadhurst Theater, New York, January 3, 1952.
The music, of course, is by Richard Rodgers.
J. O’H.