''Park Avenue'' is a musical with a book by George S. Kaufman and

Nunnally Johnson Nunnally Hunter Johnson (December 5, 1897 – March 25, 1977) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer, and playwright. As a filmmaker, he wrote the screenplays to more than fifty films in a career that spanned from 1927 to 1967. He ...

, music by

Arthur Schwartz Arthur Schwartz (November 25, 1900 – September 3, 1984) was an American composer and film producer, widely noted for his songwriting collaborations with Howard Dietz. Biography Early life Schwartz was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on Nov ...

and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was produced by Max Gordon with costumes by

Tina Leser Tina Leser (December 12, 1910 – January 23, 1986) was an American fashion designer. Part of a generation of pioneering sportswear designers, Leser was particularly known for her global influences. Personal life Tina Leser was born Christine B ...

. The plot focused on the many divorces and marriages of the rich and "black tie" set. The production performed poorly and was Gershwin's last work for

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 ...

Background and production

Gershwin wanted ''Park Avenue'' to be a change from period shows such as ''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906, it tell ...

.'' The plot was based on Nunnally Johnson’s short story "Holy Matrimony", published in the ''Saturday Evening Post''. Zolotow, Sam. "Park Avenue Bow is Set For Tonight", ''The New York Times'', November 4, 1946, p. 43 He wrote "smart" lyrics like "We live in an age that’s the pinnacle of the cynical", but the show's theme of divorce could not hold the audience's attention for an entire evening, and in 1946 American audiences wanted more. The book stuck too closely to Johnson’s short story and an overlong second act consisted more of spoken words than songs. The production was in pre-Broadway out-of-town tryouts for 5½ weeks. The musical opened on

at the Shubert Theatre on November 4, 1946 and closed on January 4, 1947 after 72 performances. Directed by Kaufman with choreography by Helen Tamiris, the cast featured

David Wayne David Wayne (born Wayne James McMeekan, January 30, 1914 – February 9, 1995) was an American stage and screen actor with a career spanning over 50 years. Early life and career Wayne was born in Traverse City, Michigan, the son of Helen M ...

as Mr. Meachem, Ray McDonald as Ned Scott, Martha Stewart as Madge Bennett,

Leonora Corbett Leonora Corbett (28 June 1908 – 29 July 1960) was an English actress, noted for her charm and elegance in stage roles, and for a number of films made in the 1930s. Life and career Corbett was born in London, the daughter of Richard Ashwin Cor ...

as Mrs. Sybil Bennett,

Mary Wickes Mary Wickes (born Mary Isabella Wickenhauser; June 13, 1910 – October 22, 1995) was an American actress. She often played supporting roles as prim, professional women, secretaries, nurses, nuns, therapists, teachers and housekeepers, who made ...

as Mrs. Betty Nelson, and Arthur Margetson as Ogden Bennett. An Equity Showcase concert, New York City, ran in 1999.

Synopsis

The preparations for the wedding of young lovers Madge Bennett and Ned Scott are proceeding at the Long Island summer home of her mother Sybil and her 4th husband Ogden. The guests are the rich habitués of Park Avenue, who divorce and remarry so often that their lawyer, Mr. Meachem, becomes confused as to who is married to whom. Between husbands, the women discuss what to do with their time ("Don't Be A Woman if You Can"), listing their choices over clothing and nail polish. Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Meachem praise the "divorce capitol", "Sweet Nevada", as they waltz. Madge and Ned see the crumbled marriages around them and decide to call off their wedding plans ("Goodbye to All That").

Songs

;Act 1 *Tomorrow Is the Time - Mrs. Laura Woods and Bridesmaids *For the Life of Me - Ned Scott and Madge Bennett *The Dew Was on the Rose - Mrs. Sybil Bennett, Ogden Bennett, Reggie Fox, Richard Nelson and Charles Crowell *Don't Be a Woman If You Can - Mrs. Betty Nelson, Mrs. Elsa Crowell and Mrs. Myra Fox *Sweet Nevada - Mrs. Sybil Bennett and Mr. Meachem *There's No Holding Me - Madge Bennett and Ned Scott *The Dew Was on the Rose (Reprise)- Mrs. Sybil Bennett and Ogden Bennett *There's Nothing Like Marriage for People - Entire Company ;Act 2 *Hope for the Best – Bridesmaids, Ted Woods and James Meredith *My Son-in-Law – Mrs. Sybil Bennett, Madge Bennett and Richard Nelson *Land of Opportunities – Ogden Bennett, Richard Nelson, Reggie Fox and Charles Crowell *Goodbye to All That – Madge Bennett and Ned Scott *Echo – Ted Woods, Mrs. Laura Woods, James Meredith, Mrs. Beverly Meredith and Bridesmaids

Critical reception

Brooks Atkinson Justin Brooks Atkinson (November 28, 1894 – January 14, 1984) was an American theatre critic. He worked for '' The New York Times'' from 1922 to 1960. In his obituary, the ''Times'' called him "the theater's most influential reviewer of hi ...

theatre critic for ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'' wrote, "Some of the most imposing people in show business are collaborating on a singularly unimposing musical comedy... The snobberies of the people they are satirizing have infected the writers... They are too fascinated by their astringent style to write a good, earthy musical show. It ain't funny, McGee." Atkinson, Brooks. "The Play", ''The New York Times'', November 5, 1946, p. 41

Notes

References

*Furia, Philip. ''Ira Gershwin'' (1997), Oxford University Press US, , p. 201

External links

Internet Broadway Database listing
{{Arthur Schwartz 1946 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals by Arthur Schwartz