Jule Styne (Debut) "GLAD TO SEE YOU" Busby Berkeley 1944 FLOP Tryout Program

Description

This is a rare souvenir program from the
out-of-town tryout and WORLD PREMIERE engagement of the JULE STYNE, SAMMY CAHN, FRED THOMPSON and EDDIE DAVIS musical comedy "GLAD TO SEE YOU"
at the Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts.
(The production opened November 13th, 1944 at the Shubert Theatre in Philadelphia and closed January 6th, 1945 at the Opera House in Boston, failing to arrive in New York.) ..... The musical marked the debut of composer JULE STYNE, who would have to wait until 1947 to see his first musical ("High Button Shoes") on a Broadway stage. The show starred JANE WITHERS, EDDIE DAVIS (replaced in Philadelphia by EDDIE FOY, Jr.) and JUNE KNIGHT and featured KENNY BOWERS, JOSEPH MACAULAY, GENE BARRY, NANCY DONOVAN,
ALEXIS ROTOV, the WHITNEY SISTERS, SLAM STEWART and
VALERIE BETTIS ..... Side Note: This production featured the musical staging and direction of the legendary BUSBY BERKELEY. Having established himself as one of Broadway's most talented choreographers, he accepted an assignment in 1930 to stage the dances for the 1930 movie musical "Whoopee" and soon Berkeley's name was synonymous with the lavish musical spectacles he staged for Warner Bros. Studios. This would have marked his first return to Broadway after a fourteen year absence. After the show arrived in Boston, Berkeley was replaced as director and returned to Hollywood. He would wait more than twenty-five years before being associated with another Broadway production (Consultant for the 1971 revival of "No, No, Nanette".) ..... CREDITS: Music by JULE STYNE ("Gypsy", "Darling of the Day", "Fade Out, Fade In", "Funny Girl", "Bells are Ringing", "Do Re Mi", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", "Hallelujah, Baby!", "Hazel Flagg", "High Button Shoes", "Lorelei", "Look to the Lilies", "Prettybelle", "Say, Darling", "Subways Are For Sleeping", "Sugar" and "Two on the Aisle"); Book by FRED THOMPSON and EDDIE DAVIS; Lyrics by SAMMY CAHN ("High Button Shoes", "Two's Company", "Skyscraper", "Walking Happy", "Look to the Lilies"); Sets designed by HOWARD BAY; Costumes designed by TRAVIS BANTON;
Choreographed by VALERIE BETTIS; Staged and
Directed by BUSBY BERKELEY (who would be replaced in Boston); Produced by DAVID WOLPER
..... DETAILS: The oversized 20 page program measures 8 1/2" X 11" inches and includes full production credits, photos and bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team and several pages of rehearsal photos from the musical ..... CONDITION: With the exception of seam splits at both the top and bottom, a light vertical fold and the date (January 3, 1945) written on the back page which was intended for comments, this rare 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.