The Belle of New York (theatre)
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The Belle of New York is a musical comedy in two acts, with book and lyrics by Hugh Morton (dramatist) and music by Gustave Kerker. Opening in New York in 1897, it ran for only 64 performances. It subsequently transferred to London in 1898, where it was a major success, running for an almost unprecedented 674 performances, and became the first American musical to run for over a year in the West End.
The show starred Nellie Stewart and Edna May, whose performance made her a star in London and New York, and postcards of her as Violet were ubiquitous. The work had stiff competition in London in 1898, as other successful openings included A Greek Slave and A Runaway Girl.
Long runs in Paris and Berlin followed. There were nine West End revivals over the next four decades and a 1916 film adaptation, Salvation Joan. There was also a 1952 film version with Fred Astaire and Vera Ellen that replaced the original songs with a score by Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren.
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[edit] Synopsis
Violet Gray, a Salvation Army girl, reforms spendthrift Harry Bronson. Bronson's wealthy father, Ichabod, is so delighted with his son’s improvement that he insists on Harry breaking off his engagement to fiancee, actress Cora Angelique, and marrying Violet instead. He makes her the heir to his fortune. Violet, however, realises that Harry and Cora truly love each other, and she is intent on Harry getting the inheritance. Violet deliberately shames herself in front of Ichabod by singing the risque "At Ze Naughty Folies Bergère", so Harry's name goes back in the Will. Harry finally sees the error of his ways and falls in love with sweet, simple Violet.
[edit] Roles
- Ichabod Bronson, President of the Young Men's Rescue League and Anti Cigarette Society of Cohoes
- Harry Bronson, his son
- Karl von Pumpernick, a polite lunatic
- Doc Snifkins
- Cora Angélique, the Queen of Comic Opera, his daughter
- Blinky Bill McGuire, a mixed ale pugelist
- Mamie Clancy, his girl
- Kenneth Mugg, low comedian of the Cora Angélique Opera Company
- Count Ratsi and Patsi Rattatoo, the Portuguese Twins
- Mr Twiddles, Harry's Private Secretary
- Violet Gray, A Salvation Army Girl
- Fifi Fricot, a little Parisienne
- Kissy Fitzgarter, a music-hall dancer
- Pansy Pinns, a soubrette
- Billy, Breeze, Mr Snooper, Mr Peeper, William, Fricot, etc.
[edit] Musical numbers
- They All Follow Me (Violet & Salvation Army Girls)
- When We Are Married
- Teach Me How To Kiss, Dear (Harry)
- The Purity Brigade (Violet and girls)
- La Belle Parisienne (Harry and Fifi)
- My Little Baby (Ichabod)
- On the Beach at Narragansett (Ichabod, Bill, Mamie and company)
- She is the Belle of New York (Harry)
- At Ze Naughty Folies Bergère (Violet)
- I Do, So There (Violet)
- Googan's Fancy Ball (Company)
