Introduction
1930 musical by Cole Porter and Herbert Fields the 1930 musical by Cole Porter The New Yorkers is a musical written by Cole Porter (lyrics and music) and Herbert Fields ).1930 musical by Cole Porter and Herbert Fields the 1930 musical by Cole Porter The New Yorkers is a musical written by Cole Porter (lyrics and music) and Herbert Fields ).
Star Jimmy Durante also wrote the words and music for the songs in which his character was .Star Jimmy Durante also wrote the words and music for the songs in which his character was .
The musical premiered on Broadway in .The musical premiered on Broadway in .
It is based on a story by a cartoonist for The New Yorker, Peter Arno, and E. Ray .It is based on a story by a cartoonist for The New Yorker, Peter Arno, and E. Ray .
The musical satirizes New York types, from high society matrons to con men, bootleggers, thieves and prostitutes during .The musical satirizes New York types, from high society matrons to con men, bootleggers, thieves and prostitutes during .
The musical includes Porter's famous, sad song about a prostitute, "Love for Sale", which was banned from the radio for its frank .The musical includes Porter's famous, sad song about a prostitute, "Love for Sale", which was banned from the radio for its frank .
The original Broadway production received mostly good reviews and ran for 168 .The original Broadway production received mostly good reviews and ran for 168 .
History
The musical was "built to order around star comic Jimmy Durante, indisputably featured special material (songs as well as bits) that wouldn't scan without Schnozzola himself delivering ."The musical was "built to order around star comic Jimmy Durante, indisputably featured special material (songs as well as bits) that wouldn't scan without Schnozzola himself delivering ."
In fact, Durante himself wrote 5 of the 17 songs featured in the musical—the only 5 songs in which he was a featured .In fact, Durante himself wrote 5 of the 17 songs featured in the musical—the only 5 songs in which he was a featured .
Ray Goetz, who was the producer of the show as well as production supervisor, wanted to help audiences forget the Great Depression and so made The New Yorkers "as bright and sparkley as possible from the variegated costumes and the Arno settings to the large and dynamic cast He also featured a young group that had never appeared on Broadway as the stage band for the show: Fred Waring and his ."Ray Goetz, who was the producer of the show as well as production supervisor, wanted to help audiences forget the Great Depression and so made The New Yorkers "as bright and sparkley as possible from the variegated costumes and the Arno settings to the large and dynamic cast He also featured a young group that had never appeared on Broadway as the stage band for the show: Fred Waring and his ."
The clean cut band sang as well as played .The clean cut band sang as well as played .
Synopsis
Wealthy New York socialite Alice Wentworth has a romantic interlude with Al Spanish, a nightclub owner and .Wealthy New York socialite Alice Wentworth has a romantic interlude with Al Spanish, a nightclub owner and .
During their time together, they escape from the police and go on many .During their time together, they escape from the police and go on many .
Jimmy Deegan and his buddies Ronald and Oscar aid in their escapades, invent a new alcoholic drink, murder Feet McGeehan and assist with the gangland wedding of Al and Alice, while offering tributes to money, wood, and "The Hot ".Jimmy Deegan and his buddies Ronald and Oscar aid in their escapades, invent a new alcoholic drink, murder Feet McGeehan and assist with the gangland wedding of Al and Alice, while offering tributes to money, wood, and "The Hot ".
Jokes and songs about alcohol, and how far people will go to get it, such as "Drinking Song" and "Say It with Gin", reflect the musical's origin from the Prohibition .Jokes and songs about alcohol, and how far people will go to get it, such as "Drinking Song" and "Say It with Gin", reflect the musical's origin from the Prohibition .
Productions
The New Yorkers began pre Broadway tryouts at the Chestnut Street Opera House, Philadelphia on November 10, 1930 and then moved to the Shubert Theatre, Newark, New Jersey on November 24, 1930. and closed on May 2, 1931 after 168 .The New Yorkers began pre Broadway tryouts at the Chestnut Street Opera House, Philadelphia on November 10, 1930 and then moved to the Shubert Theatre, Newark, New Jersey on November 24, 1930. and closed on May 2, 1931 after 168 .
Direction was by Monty Woolley, choreography by George Hale, and Oscar Ragland as .Direction was by Monty Woolley, choreography by George Hale, and Oscar Ragland as .
The musical was performed at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois in .The musical was performed at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois in .
"Musicals !"
presented the musical as a staged concert in April 2003 in New York .presented the musical as a staged concert in April 2003 in New York .
The "Lost Musicals" series presented The New Yorkers at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, in March and April 2009, starring Anna Francolini as Alice and Dawn Spence as Mona .The "Lost Musicals" series presented The New Yorkers at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, in March and April 2009, starring Anna Francolini as Alice and Dawn Spence as Mona .
The New York City Center presented it in March 2017 in its !The New York City Center presented it in March 2017 in its !
staged concert series with Tam Mutu as Al Spanish, Scarlett Strallen as Alice Wentworth, and Kevin Chamberlin as Jimmie Deegan, directed by John .staged concert series with Tam Mutu as Al Spanish, Scarlett Strallen as Alice Wentworth, and Kevin Chamberlin as Jimmie Deegan, directed by John .
Response
Brooks Atkinson, theatre critic for The New York Times wrote that the musical "manages to pack most of the madness, ribaldry, bounce and comic loose ends of giddy Manhattan into a lively ."Brooks Atkinson, theatre critic for The New York Times wrote that the musical "manages to pack most of the madness, ribaldry, bounce and comic loose ends of giddy Manhattan into a lively ."
As for Porter's songs, "most hold well to the average of song and dance ."As for Porter's songs, "most hold well to the average of song and dance ."
The song "Love for Sale" was sung by an actress playing the role of a prostitute ("advertising young love for ").The song "Love for Sale" was sung by an actress playing the role of a prostitute ("advertising young love for ").
As recounted by Charles Schwartz in his biography Cole Porter, the critic for the World, Charles Darnton, "excoriated" the song and called it "in the worst possible ."As recounted by Charles Schwartz in his biography Cole Porter, the critic for the World, Charles Darnton, "excoriated" the song and called it "in the worst possible ."
The song was subsequently banned from the .The song was subsequently banned from the .