Appropriately sub-titled “The-Up-To-The-Minute Musical Comedy," Have A Heart, was the first teaming of Jerome Kern, P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton, who would go on to create the legendary Princess Theatre musicals. The show opened at the Liberty Theatre on January 11, 1917 and only ran for 76 performances. The show faced stiff competition during the 1916-1917 theatre season when 25 musicals opened on Broadway. The short run was also caused because the star performer, Billy B. Van, was hired away by a competing producer. Our revival is the first time the show has been seen in 87 years.
Have A Heart tells the story of a divorced couple whose attempts to re-marry runs into family obstacles, robbery, and an old flame. Songs include: "It’s a Sure Sign," "You Said Something," "My Wife My Man," "Napoleon," "Daisy," and "I See You There."
Although recently divorced from each other, Ruddy (Christopher Guilmet) and Peggy (Marni Raab) are still in love and intend to remarry. Her parents (Evelyn Page and Robert Sevra) are dead set against it and hire a detective (Larry Brustofski) to help them find reasons to dissuade their daughter. Complicating Ruddy’s plan is the arrival of an old flame, Jane (Ellie Mooney). Jeff (James Patterson), Ruddy’s well-meaning but ineffectual best friend tries to distract Jane (away from Ruddy and toward himself). Henry (Jon Peterson), a reformed con-man and now trusted employee of Ruddy’s department store inadvertently complicates things further when his girl friend, Lizzie (Martina Vidmar), turns up and seeks to un-reform him. Joining in the romantic follies are: Melissa Gietzen, Jenny Millsap, Andrea Rae, Richard Rowan, and Julia Tilley.
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