The Boys from Syracuse

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The Boys from Syracuse is a musical by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, based on William Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors, as adapted by librettist George Abbott, who also directed.

The original production opened at the Alvin Theater in New York on November 23, 1938, and ran for 235 performances, and starred Eddie Albert, Muriel Angelus, and Marcy Westcott. The show was successfully revived Off-Broadway in 1963 with Ellen Hanley, Cathryn Damon and Julienne Marie.

It was less successfully revived on Broadway again in 2002. There was also a London production and a 1940 film version.

[edit] Plot

Following Shakespeare's play closely, the plot details the adventures and romantic mix-ups of long-separated identical twins Antipholus of Ephesus and Antipholus of Syracuse, whose servants, the two Dromios, are also long-separated identical twins. The score often leaves period behind to indulge in swing and other contemporary rhythms.

[edit] Songs

I Had Twins
Dear Old Syracuse
What Do You Do With a Man?
Falling In Love With Love
The Shortest Day of the Year
This Can't Be Love
Ladies of the Evening
He and She
You Have Cast Your Shadow on the Sea
Come With Me
Sing For Your Supper
Oh, Diogenes!

A U.S. Air Force National Guard unit based out of Syracuse, New York is named after this musical.

Musicals of Rodgers and Hart
The Garrick Gaieties • Dearest Enemy • The Girl Friend • Peggy-Ann • A Connecticut Yankee • Present Arms • America's Sweetheart • Jumbo • On Your Toes • Babes in Arms • I'd Rather Be Right • The Boys from Syracuse • I Married an Angel • Too Many Girls • Higher and Higher • Pal Joey • By Jupiter