''America's Sweetheart'' 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 Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), charac ...

comedy with music by

Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway theatre, Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers wa ...

, lyrics by

Lorenz Hart Lorenz Milton Hart (May 2, 1895 – November 22, 1943) was an American lyricist and half of the Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. Some of his more famous lyrics include "Blue Moon"; " The Lady Is a Tramp"; "Manhattan"; " Bewitched, Bo ...

and book by

Herbert Fields Herbert Fields (July 26, 1897 – March 24, 1958) was an American librettist and screenwriter. Biography Born in New York City, Fields began his career as an actor, then graduated to choreography and stage direction before turning to writing. Fr ...

Production

''America's Sweetheart'' premiered 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 Stre ...

at the

Broadhurst Theatre The Broadhurst Theatre is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater at 235 West 44th Street (Manhattan), 44th Street in the Theater District, Manhattan, Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S. Opened in 1917, the thea ...

on February 10, 1931, and closed on June 6, 1931, after 135 performances. It was produced by

Laurence Schwab Laurence Schwab (1893 – May 29, 1951) was an American theater and film producer, writer, and director. He was born in Boston and attended Harvard University. His first success was as co-producer of '' The Gingham Girl'' (1922). He co-authored a ...

and

Frank Mandel Frank Mandel (1884 – April 20, 1958) was an American playwright and producer. He co-wrote several productions. Some of his works were adapted by others. Several of his collaborations were adapted into films. UCLA's libraries have a collection of ...

, directed by

Monty Woolley Edgar Montillion "Monty" Woolley (August 17, 1888May 6, 1963) was an American film and theater actor.Obituary '' Variety'', May 8, 1963, page 223. At the age of 50, he achieved a measure of stardom for his role in the 1939 stage play '' The Man ...

, with choreography and production supervision by Bobby Connolly, with set design by

Donald Oenslager Donald Oenslager (March 7, 1902 – June 11, 1975) was an American scenic designer who won the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design. Biography Oenslager was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and attended Harvard University, graduating in 1923. He bec ...

and costume design by Charles Le Maire. The show starred

Jack Whiting Jack Whiting may refer to: * Jack Whiting (actor) (1901–1961), American actor, singer and dancer * Jack Whiting (cricketer) (1894–1975), English cricketer {{hndis, Whiting, Jack ...

Ann Sothern Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake; January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001) was an American actress who worked on stage, radio, film, and television, in a career that spanned nearly six decades. Sothern began her career in the late 1920s ...

(using her real name Harriet Lake),

Inez Courtney Inez Courtney (October 12, 1897 – April 5, 1975) was an American actress on the Broadway stage and in films. Early years Born in Amsterdam, New York, Courtney came from a large Irish-American family. After her father's death when she was fi ...

, and

Virginia Bruce Virginia Bruce (born Helen Virginia Briggs; September 29, 1910 – February 24, 1982) was an American actress and singer. Early life Bruce was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As an infant she moved with her parents, Earil and Margaret Briggs, ...

. The show is a Hollywood satire, and is mainly set in Los Angeles but with some scenes in

Agua Caliente, Tijuana Agua Caliente is a historic entertainment center and present-day district of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, at the southeastern end of the ''Centro'' borough. The ''Agua Caliente Tourist Complex'' formed in the late 1920s along Agua Caliente B ...

in Mexico and in the state of

Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...

. Two young lovers hitchhike to Hollywood to make their fortune. The girl hits it big and loses interest in her boyfriend, who hasn't fared as well. Later, the introduction of talking pictures reverses their fortunes, and the boyfriend's career eclipses the girlfriend's, but they make up.

Songs

Act 1

*"Mr. Dolan Is Passing Through" (S. A. Dolan, Executives and Ensemble) *"In Califor-n-i-a" (Dorith, Paula and Movie Actresses) *"My Sweet" (Madge Farrell and Larry Pitkin) *"

I've Got Five Dollars "I've Got Five Dollars" is a 1931 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical ''America's Sweetheart'' (1931) where it was introduced by Harriette Lake (aka Ann Sothern) and Jack Whiting. Popular recording ...

" (Geraldine March and Michael Perry) *"I've Got Five Dollars (Reprise)" (Geraldine March and Michael Perry) *"Sweet Geraldine" (Georgia, Georgiana and Georgette) *"There's So Much More" (Denise Torel and Larry Pitkin) *"We'll Be the Same" (Geraldine March, Michael Perry and Ensemble) *"We'll Be the Same (Reprise)" (Michael Perry and Larry Pitkin) *"How About It" (Madge Farrell and Michael Perry) *"Innocent Chorus Girls of Yesterday" (Movie Stars) *"A Lady Must Live" (Denise Torel)

Act 2

*"You Ain't Got No Savoir Faire" (Madge Farrell and Larry Pitkin) *"Two Unfortunate Orphans" (Paula, Dorith and Ensemble) *"I Want a Man" (Denise Torel) *"Tennessee Dan" (Georgia, Georgiana and Georgette) *"How About It (Reprise)" (Denise Torel, Michael Perry, Larry Pitkin and Ensemble) *"Reprise - Finale" (Geraldine and Michael)

Cast

External links

Internet Broadway Database listing
*

References

{{Herbert Fields 1931 musicals Broadway musicals Original musicals Musicals by Rodgers and Hart Musicals by Herbert Fields Musicals set in California Musicals set in Los Angeles Musicals set in Mexico Musicals set in Tennessee