''Beg, Borrow or Steal'' is a

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...

with a book and lyrics by

Bud Freeman Lawrence "Bud" Freeman (April 13, 1906 – March 15, 1991) was an American jazz musician, bandleader, and composer, known mainly for playing tenor saxophone, but also the clarinet. Biography In 1922, Freeman and some friends from high sc ...

, music by Leon Pober, and is based on ''Steal–A Disc Jockey′s Handbook'', a story by Marvin Seiger and Bud Freeman. The musical is set in a run-down section of an American city in the 1950s. It ran for five performances on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

in 1960.

Overview

The musical tells the story of urban beatniks in a fictional American city in 1950.''Beg, Borrow or Steal''
playbill.com, accessed February 9, 2020

Production

The musical opened on

on February 10, 1960, at the

Martin Beck Theatre The Al Hirschfeld Theatre, originally the Martin Beck Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 302 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1924, it was designed by G. Albert Lansburgh in a Moorish and ...

, and closed on February 13, 1960, after 5 performances. Before arriving on Broadway, it operated under the working title of ''Clara''. The original director, Billy Matthews, was replaced by actor

David Doyle David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

but was given "staged by" credit. The music director was Hal Hidey, and the choreographer was Peter Hamilton. Scenery, costumes, and lighting were all designed by Carter Morningstar. The cast included

Estelle Parsons Estelle Margaret Parsons (born November 20, 1927) is an American actress, singer and stage director. After studying law, Parsons became a singer before deciding to pursue a career in acting. She worked for the television program ''Today'' and ...

Eddie Bracken Edward Vincent Bracken (February 7, 1915 – November 14, 2002) was an American actor. Bracken became a Hollywood comedy legend with lead performances in the films ''Hail the Conquering Hero'' and ''The Miracle of Morgan's Creek'' both from ...

Betty Garrett Betty Garrett (May 23, 1919 – February 12, 2011) was an American actress, comedian, singer and dancer. She originally performed on Broadway, and was then signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She appeared in several musical film ...

Larry Parks Samuel Lawrence Klausman Parks (December 13, 1914 – April 13, 1975) was an American stage and film actor. His career arced from bit player and supporting roles to top billing, before it was virtually ended when he admitted to having once been ...

, and

Biff McGuire William "Biff" McGuire (October 25, 1926 – March 9, 2021) was an American actor. Best known as Inspector Kramer in ''Nero Wolfe'' (1979). Early years McGuire attended Hamden High School and the University of Massachusetts, where he studied agr ...

, along with Doyle.''Today in Theatre History: February 10''
playbillvault.com, accessed February 9, 2020

Song list

Source: Internet Broadway database ;Act I * "Some Little People" - The Ensemble * "Rootless" - Junior * "What Are We Gonna Do Tonight?" - Ollie, Phil and Judy * "Poetry and All That Jazz" - Freida and Ensemble * "Don't Stand Too Close to the Picture" - Rafe, Clara and Ensemble * "Beg, Borrow or Steal (Recitative)" - Rafe * "Beg, Borrow or Steal" - Rafe * "No One Knows Me" - Clara * "Zen Is When" - Pistol, Junior, Ethel and Jason * "Clara" - Junior * "You've Got Someting To Say" - afe and Clara * "You've Got Someting To Say (Reprise)" - Rafe, Clara, Pistol, Junior and Company ;Act II * "Presenting Clara Spencer" - Clara, Knitter, Chess Players, Sculptor, Flamenco Dancer and Members of the Dance Class * "I Can't Stop Talking" - Clara and Junior * "It's All in Your Mind" - Rafe and Clara * "In Time" - Junior * "Think" - Clara * "Little People (Song and Dance)" - Pistol and Company * "Rafesville, U.S.A." - Ethel and Jason * "Beg, Borrow or Steal (Reprise)" - Rafe and Ensemble * "Let's Be Strangers Again" - Clara and Junior * "Little People (Reprise)" - The Entire Company

Recordings

Before the Broadway opening, a studio recording (under the name of ''Clara'') was recorded in 1960.

was featured on the album, along with Jimmie Komack, Sid Tomack, and

Johnny Standley Johnny Standley (December 6, 1912 – May 27, 1992) was an American musician, actor, and comedian. Early life and career Born in Oklahoma City, Standley moved to Milwaukee at a young age, touring the Midwest and Southwest for many years as an actor ...

References

External links

* * {{Playbill production, beg-borrow-or-steal-martin-beck-theatre-vault-0000008260
archive

Clara studio recording
1960 musicals Broadway musicals