Introduction
the 1928 musical Paris is a musical with the book by Martin Brown, and music and lyrics by Cole Porter, as well as Walter Kollo and Louis Alter (music) and E. Ray Goetz and Roy Turk ).the 1928 musical Paris is a musical with the book by Martin Brown, and music and lyrics by Cole Porter, as well as Walter Kollo and Louis Alter (music) and E. Ray Goetz and Roy Turk ).
The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1928, was Porter's first Broadway .The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1928, was Porter's first Broadway .
The musical introduced the song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" sung by the show's star, Irene .The musical introduced the song "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" sung by the show's star, Irene .
The story involves a young man from a very proper family in Newton, Massachusetts whose mother is horrified by his intention to wed a French .The story involves a young man from a very proper family in Newton, Massachusetts whose mother is horrified by his intention to wed a French .
History
According to writer Stephen Citron in his book Noel & Cole: the Sophisticates, it was with Paris that Cole Porter would be accepted in the "upper echelon" of Broadway .According to writer Stephen Citron in his book Noel & Cole: the Sophisticates, it was with Paris that Cole Porter would be accepted in the "upper echelon" of Broadway .
Although it was not a revue, the critics could not find the .Although it was not a revue, the critics could not find the .
An eleven piece orchestra was placed in the leading lady's room, singing and dancing as well as providing the orchestral .An eleven piece orchestra was placed in the leading lady's room, singing and dancing as well as providing the orchestral .
The producer (and also songwriter) Ray Goetz kept the musical in tryouts for almost 8 months, while songs were added and .The producer (and also songwriter) Ray Goetz kept the musical in tryouts for almost 8 months, while songs were added and .
The song "Let's Misbehave" was dropped in favor of one of Porter's "best known songs", "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in ".The song "Let's Misbehave" was dropped in favor of one of Porter's "best known songs", "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in ".
The censors had insisted that the "Let's Fall in Love" be added to the .The censors had insisted that the "Let's Fall in Love" be added to the .
The plot was designed for Irene Bordoni "to show off her wardrobe and ingratiating stage ".The plot was designed for Irene Bordoni "to show off her wardrobe and ingratiating stage ".
Synopsis
Mrs. Cora Sabot is a domineering and haughty society matriarch who lives in .Mrs. Cora Sabot is a domineering and haughty society matriarch who lives in .
Her son Andrew plans on marrying the famous French stage actress Vivienne .Her son Andrew plans on marrying the famous French stage actress Vivienne .
Mrs. Sabot goes to Paris and decides that the actress is not of the caliber she wishes for her son, and therefore intends to stop the .Mrs. Sabot goes to Paris and decides that the actress is not of the caliber she wishes for her son, and therefore intends to stop the .
There she feigns drunkenness and fakes falling under the romantic influence of Guy Pennel, Vivienne's stage .There she feigns drunkenness and fakes falling under the romantic influence of Guy Pennel, Vivienne's stage .
However, she actually does become drunk and is comically transformed into a passionate .However, she actually does become drunk and is comically transformed into a passionate .
Mrs. Sabot's scheme works, and Vivienne realizes that she and Guy are meant to be romantic partners in life as well as on the .Mrs. Sabot's scheme works, and Vivienne realizes that she and Guy are meant to be romantic partners in life as well as on the .
Andrew meanwhile understands that Brenda Kaley, as slow and obtuse as she is, will make the perfect .Andrew meanwhile understands that Brenda Kaley, as slow and obtuse as she is, will make the perfect .
Productions
Paris started pre Broadway tryouts at Nixon's Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City on February 6, 1928, followed by: the Adelphi Theatre, Philadelphia on February 13, 1928; the Wilbur Theatre, Boston as of May 7, 1928; and finally the Poli Theatre, Washington DC on September 30, .Paris started pre Broadway tryouts at Nixon's Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City on February 6, 1928, followed by: the Adelphi Theatre, Philadelphia on February 13, 1928; the Wilbur Theatre, Boston as of May 7, 1928; and finally the Poli Theatre, Washington DC on September 30, .
The Broadway premiere was at the Music Box Theatre, opening on October 8, 1928 and closing on March 23, 1929, after 195 .The Broadway premiere was at the Music Box Theatre, opening on October 8, 1928 and closing on March 23, 1929, after 195 .
The musical was directed by William H. Gilmore with choreography by "Red" .The musical was directed by William H. Gilmore with choreography by "Red" .
The cast featured Goetz' wife, Irene Bordoni (Vivienne Rolland), Arthur Margetson (Guy Pennel), Louise Closser Hale (Cora Sabot), Eric Kalkhurst (Andrew Sabot), and Elizabeth Chester (Brenda ).The cast featured Goetz' wife, Irene Bordoni (Vivienne Rolland), Arthur Margetson (Guy Pennel), Louise Closser Hale (Cora Sabot), Eric Kalkhurst (Andrew Sabot), and Elizabeth Chester (Brenda ).
Irving Aaronson and his Commanders was the musical's .Irving Aaronson and his Commanders was the musical's .
In 1929 Warner Brothers made the musical into a feature film, starring Bordoni, Jack Buchanan, Jason Robards Sr. and ZaSu .In 1929 Warner Brothers made the musical into a feature film, starring Bordoni, Jack Buchanan, Jason Robards Sr. and ZaSu .
In 1983, Medicine Show Theatre, one of New York City's longest running experimental theatres, re discovered the script and, working with the Cole Porter trust, restored the cut Cole Porter songs to the show and inserted other Porter songs to make it an all Cole Porter .In 1983, Medicine Show Theatre, one of New York City's longest running experimental theatres, re discovered the script and, working with the Cole Porter trust, restored the cut Cole Porter songs to the show and inserted other Porter songs to make it an all Cole Porter .
Medicine Show revived this version in June 2011, scheduling performances through October .Medicine Show revived this version in June 2011, scheduling performances through October .
Ian Marshall Fisher's "Lost Musicals" series presented a staged concert in April 2010 at Sadler's Wells, .Ian Marshall Fisher's "Lost Musicals" series presented a staged concert in April 2010 at Sadler's Wells, .