Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

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Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
Music	James Quinn Alaric Jans
Lyrics	James Quinn Alaric Jans
Book	John R. Powers
Based upon	Powers' novel Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
Productions	1982 Broadway

Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? is a musical with a book by John R. Powers and music and lyrics by James Quinn and Alaric Jans.

Based on Powers' 1975 best-seller of the same name, the coming of age story involves the 1950s Catholic education of eight Chicago children, following them from the start of elementary school through the senior prom and beyond. Along the way it touches on such topics as first confessions, puppy love, patron saints, teacher's pets, sex education classes, and the importance of wearing panties under the school uniform's plaid pleated skirt. The main focus is on late-blooming Eddie Ryan and chubby Becky Bakowski, who become best friends, fall in love, and then go their separate ways when Becky decides to join a convent.

After fifteen previews, the Broadway production, directed by Mike Nussbaum and choreographed by Thommie Walsh, opened on May 27, 1982 at the Alvin Theatre, where it ran for only 5 performances. In addition to Russ Thacker as Eddie and Maureen Moore as Becky, the cast included Vicki Lewis and Jason Graae.

An original cast recording was released by Bay Cities Records.

Despite its failure on Broadway, the show has become a popular choice of regional and community theatres. The Chicago production's 4½-year run was the longest in the city's history, and it broke house records during its two runs in Philadelphia.