The Beauty Prize by Jerome Kern and P.G. Wodehouse is being given its American premiere 83 years after it opened in London in 1922. The “prize,” Odo Philpott, a self-important nerd, is accidentally won by an heiress on her wedding day. Dissuading Odo and rekindling the interest of her original intended occupy much of the action in this musical farce. Songs include: “You Can’t Make Love By Wireless,” “Playing Mah-Jong,” and “Non-Stop Dancing.”
Book and Lyrics by George Grossmith and P.G. Woodhouse
Music by Jerome Kern
George Grossmith was a well-known British actor-manager between the wars. He was the son of a famous Gilbert and Sullivan star of the same name.
P.G. Wodehouse became the drama critic of Vanity Fair in 1914 and in that capacity attended Jerome Kern’s Very Good Eddie, met Guy Bolton, and the trio subsequently collaborated on several Princess theatre musicals. Other collaborators included Cole Porter (Anything Goes). Wodehouse’s novel-writing (there were 93) included the much-loved Wooster and Jeeves characters.
Jerome Kern had his first big success with Oh, Boy! (1918) which ran for 475 performances. His major hits of the 1920s included Sally (“Look for the Silver Lining”), Sunny (“Who”) and the classic, Show Boat. His last Broadway successes were Roberta (“Smoke Gets in your Eyes”) and Very Warm for May (“All the Things you Are”). His film career yielded the songs “Lovely to look At,” “I Won’t Dance," “The Way You look Tonight,” “A Fine Romance,” and “The last Time I Saw Paris.”
Directed and Choreographed by Thomas Mills
Music Director, Vocal Arranger Rick Hip-Flores
Producer Mel Miller
With Jenna Coker*, Derrick Colby*, Sarah Darling*, Kelly Grant*, Sean Hayden*, Margaret Kelly*, Mike Masters*, Mary Jo Mecca*, Lindsay Packard, David Perlman, Andrienne Pisoni*, Annie Ramsey*, Roger Rifkin*, Jason Robinson*, Justin Sayre* and Jason Strong
*Denotes member of Actors Equity Association
Scenes and Musical Numbers
ACT I
Scene 1: The Supper Room at Carl’s Private Club - London, 1923
Take the Road with Me - Gypsey, Ensemble
Scene 2: Carol Stuart’s Home, Kensington - A Few Days Later
Now That We’re Nearly Through - Ensemble
What Lovelier Things - Carol, Kitty, Ensemble
Honeymoon Isle - Carol, Kitty
I’m A Prize - Carol, Odo
It’s a Long, Long Day - Flutey
Joy Bells - Ensemble
Finaletto, Act I - Company
ACT II
Scene 1: Shipboard, HMS the Majestania - A Few Days Later
By Tomorrow Afternoon - Ensemble
You Can’t Make Love by Wireless - Carol, Flutey
Non-Stop Dancing - Odo
For the Man I Love - Carol, John
A Cottage in Kent - Lovey, Odo
Finaletto, Act II - Company
ACT III
Scene 1: Gardens of James Stuart’s Home, Long Island - A Few Days Later
Opening Chorus - Ensemble
Main Street - Flutey, Odo
Moon Love - Company
Finale - Company
|
