Two Little Girls in Blue

Two Little Girls in Blue is a musical theatre work composed by Paul Lannin and Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin (under the pseudonym "Arthur Francis")[1] and a libretto by Fred Jackson. The musical premiered at the George M. Cohan's Theatre on Broadway on May 3, 1921.

Two Little Girls in Blue
Original sheet music cover
MusicPaul Lannin
Vincent Youmans
LyricsIra Gershwin
BookFred Jackson
Productions1921 Broadway

History

Background

The first "conference" for the show was held at the Garden City Hotel, where Lannin worked as a chef. According to Gershwin, "His father wanted him to learn every phase of the hotel business, which didn't include composing." A.L. Erlanger was brought in as producer, though Youmans and Gershwin were "urged to keep in the background," as Erlanger would be hesitant to produce a work with young writers.[2]

1921 Broadway premiere

The original production, produced by Erlanger and staged by Ned Wayburn, premiered at the George M. Chochan's Theatre in the Broadway Theater District in New York City on May 3, 1921.[3] The opening night cast included Olin Howland, Madeline and Marion Fairbanks, Oscar Shaw, Edward Begley, and Virginia Earle.[4]

The May 4 review in The New York Clipper stated: "The lyrics written by Arthur Francis are the best, and seem to show that there are some lyricists who are still able to write a lyric that rhymes also means something." Despite positive comments, Gershwin later wrote that working with Youmans was not a pleasure, as "he wanted to do everything; write, publish, produce, conduct, and show people down the aisle." Wayburn also gave negative statements: "I'm not satisfied to retire from the calling of Producing Stage Director with the reputation of being 'the world's greatest buck dancer.'"[2]

1975 Off-Broadway revival

An off-Broadway revival was produced in 1978, running only a few weeks. While all of Gershwin's lyrics remained intact in the score, roughly one third of the score had been lost and was recomposed by Nathan Hurwitz. This production was produced by David Mayhew and Victoria Sanders, starring Alison Bevan in a 99-seat black box theatre beneath CIrcle-in-the-Square downtown on West 4th Street. It ran for only a few weeks.

Musical numbers

§Additional lyrics by Fred Jackson.
†Additional lyrics by Schuyler Greene.
††Additional lyrics by Irving Caesar.

Notes
  1. "Gershwin, Ira". The Bios. Rodgers and Hammerstein Corporation. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  2. Jablonski, Edward; Stewart, Lawrence Delbert (1996). The Gershwin Years: George and Ira. De Capo Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780306807398. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  3. "Two Little Girls in Blue (Internet Broadway Database)". IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information. The Broadway League. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  4. Theatrical Notes, New York Times, March 9, 1921, pg. 20.
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