''Walk a Little Faster'' is a

musical revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...

with sketches by

S. J. Perelman Sidney Joseph Perelman (February 1, 1904 – October 17, 1979) was an American humorist and screenwriter. He is best known for his humorous short pieces written over many years for ''The New Yorker''. He also wrote for several other magazines ...

and Robert MacGunigle, music by

Vernon Duke Vernon Duke ( 16 January 1969) was a Russian-born American composer/songwriter who also wrote under his birth name, Vladimir Dukelsky. He is best known for " Taking a Chance on Love," with lyrics by Ted Fetter and John Latouche (1940), "I Can' ...

, and lyrics by

E. Y. Harburg Edgar Yipsel Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" ( ...

Production

The

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 ...

production opened on December 7, 1932 at the St. James Theatre and then moved to the Selwyn Theatre, closing on March 18, 1933 for a total of 119 performances. Staged by Monty Woolley, the cast starred Beatrice Lillie, the comedy team of Bobby Clark and Paul McCullough, and

Evelyn Hoey Evelyn Hoey (December 15, 1910 – September 11, 1935) was a Broadway theatre torch singer and actress. Life and career Hoey was noted for her performances in ''Fifty Million Frenchmen'' and '' Good News''. She began performing at the age ...

. The production design, by Boris Aronson, featured an innovative use of stage curtains; for example, one was shaped like an iris lens.

April in Paris

The show was only a moderate success but contained the famous song '' April in Paris.'' It was introduced by Evelyn Hoey. According to an account by Stanley Green, the idea for this song title came about as Duke and friends were talking about Paris in a restaurant. When someone said 'Oh, to be in Paris now that April's here', Duke started composing on the spot. According to Harburg, the song came from Aronson's model of a set of Paris. "Aronson was in love with Paris...he designed one of the most beautiful, sensitive sets that ever was seen." The producer wanted a song to match the set.Meyerson, Harold and Harburg, Ernie, ''Who Put the Rainbow in the Wizard of Oz?'' (1995), University of Michigan Press, , p. 61

Sketches

Bea Lillie was a 1906 college girl, Penelope Goldfarb ("Scamp of the Campus"); the belle of the Yukon, "Frisco Fanny"; a radio songstress,
and a French chanteuse ("Quel Bijou"). Clark and McCullough provided additional humor with their usual outfits and

props A prop, formally known as (theatrical) property, is an object used on stage or screen by actors during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinc ...

, including a cigar
for Clark. One of the sketches was a take-off on another show, '' Flying Colors,'' in which Clark pretended to be

Clifton Webb Webb Parmelee Hollenbeck (November 19, 1889 – October 13, 1966), known professionally as Clifton Webb, was an American actor, singer, and dancer. He worked extensively and was known for his stage appearances in the plays of Noël Coward, i ...

and Lillie was

Tamara Geva Tamara Geva (russian: Тамара Жева, born Tamara Levkievna Zheverzheeva, russian: Тамара Левкиевна Жевержеева; 17 March 1906 – 9 December 1997) was a Soviet and later an American actress, ballet dancer, and c ...

Songs

* Where Have We Met Before? * Speaking of Love * A Penny for Your Thoughts * April in Paris * That's Life * So Nonchalant * Off again, On Again

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Walk A Little Faster Musicals by Vernon Duke 1932 musicals Broadway musicals Revues