Description
This is a rare souvenir program from the Pre-Broadway engagement of the BURTON LANE and E. Y. HARBURG musical comedy "HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS". (The production would open September 11th, 1940 at the Shubert Theatre in New York City and run for 158 performances.) ..... The musical starred AL JOLSON and featured his soon to be ex-wife RUBY KEELER (who left the show during the Chicago tryouts), MARTHA RAYE, JACK WHITING, GIL LAMB, ARNOLD MOSS, MARGARET IRVING, GEORGE CHURCH, "JINX" FAULKENBURG, LIONEL STANDER, BERT GORDON, the VASS FAMILY and THE RADIO-ACES ..... CREDITS: Music by BURTON LANE ("Hold on to Your Hats", "Finian's Rainbow", "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever", "Carmelina"); Lyrics by E. Y. "Yip" HARBURG ("Ziegfeld Follies of 1931", "Ballyhoo of 1932", "The Show Is On", "Hooray for What!", "Bloomer Girl", "Finian's Rainbow", "Flahooley", "Jamaica", "Darling of the Day" and the classic film score "The Wizard of Oz"); Book by GUY BOLTON, MATT BROOKS and EDDIE DAVIS; Sets and Costumes designed by RAOUL PENE DU BOIS; Choreographed by CATHERINE LITTLEFIELD; Musical Direction by MARTIN FREED; Staged by EDGAR MacGREGOR; Produced by GEORGIE HALE (later replaced by AL JOLSON and the Messrs. LEE and J. J. SHUBERT) ..... DETAILS: The oversized sixteen page program measures 9" X 12" inches, features a die-cut cover and includes photos and bios of each of the leading actors, bios of each member of the creative team, promotional text, photos of the chorus girls and several rehearsal photos ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a heavy vertical fold and moderate edge wear, this program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
