Fifty Million Frenchmen takes place in Paris during the summer of 1929. And the French have turned over their beloved city to the invading rich American tourists. One of them, our hero, wants to be loved for himself and not his money, so he becomes penniless as he seeks the hand of an attractive tourist from Indiana. The lovers-to--be find themselves at the Ritz Hotel, the American Express, Longchamps Racetrack and the Café de la Paix (where their engagement finally takes place). Songs include "You Do Something To Me," "Watching the World Go By," "A Toast to Volstead," "To the Dear Old American Express," "You've Got That Thing," "Find Me A Primitive Man," "Please Don't Make Me Be Good," "I Worship You," "The Boy Friend Back Home," and "The Tale of the Oyster."
Cole Porter (Music & Lyrics) was born in Peru, Indiana in 1891. He attended Yale, where his football songs are still popular. After his first Broadway show flopped, he exiled himself to Europe and married legendary beauty, Linda Thomas. Returning to New York in the late 1920s, he gained renown as the composer of some of the greatest songs ever heard on stage or screen - among them "Night and Day," "You're the Top," "Begin the Beguine," "Don't Fence Me In," and "Love For Sale." The 1930s were highlighted by Anything Goes, Gay Divorce, Jubilee, and Born to Dance. A crippling accident left Porter in constant pain, yet he continued to write memorable scores, among them Can-Can, Silk Stockings, and his masterpiece, Kiss Me Kate. Musicals Tonight has been privileged to present Leave It To Me and Fifty Million Frenchmen.
Herbert Fields (Book) was a part of a vibrant theatrical family that included his sister, Dorothy, a lyricist with a career that spanned more than 45 years; brother Joseph, a prolific librettist and playwright; and their father, Lew, the famous producer, actor and director. Together, Herbert and Dorothy Fields wrote the books for eight Broadway musicals including three with Cole Porter - Something For The Boys, Let's Face It and Mexican Hayride; By The Beautiful Sea (Arthur Schwartz); Up In Central Park (Sigmund Romberg); Arms and The Girl (Morton Gould); Redhead (Albert Hague); and Annie Get Your Gun (Irving Berlin). In addition to collaborating with his sister, Herbert Fields wrote seven musicals with Rodgers & Hart including A Connecticut Yankee, Peggy-Ann and Dearest Enemy (revived by Musicals Tonight). Among his many collaborators were Vincent Youmans and George & Ira Gershwin.
Director and Choreographer Thomas Mills
Music Director, Vocal Arranger Barbara Anselmi
With Renee Bang Allen*, Amy Barker*, Cynthia Collins*, John Alban Coughlan*, Amy Goldberger*, Gina Holland*, Todd Jones*, Nathan Klau*, David Macaluso*, Matthew Morgan*, Susan Owen*, Marni Rather*, Julian Rebolledo*, Kilty Reidy*, Celia Tackaberry* and Jeff Wells*
*Denotes member of Actors Equity Association
Producer Mel Miller
Lighting/Stage Manager Joshua Dunn
Casting Director Stephen De Angelis
Set Design Stan Pearlman, Impact Creative Group
Graphics Perry Pizarro
Set Construction Frank Getz
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