Le monde des musicals

Musical (1930)

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Musique: George Gershwin •
Paroles: Ira Gershwin •
Livret: Guy Bolton • John McGowan •
Production à la création:

"Girl Crazy" was written during the Depression, partly in an attempt to lighten the spirits of its audiences. Although the plot is frothy, the musical score is exquisite and features such enduring and beloved standards as "Embraceable You" and "I've Got Rhythm."

According to his father, Danny Churchill Jr. too focused on girls and parties. Thus, Danny’s father ships him off to a mostly male town in Arizona with the goal of getting Danny’s attention focused on more serious matters. However, soon after arriving, Danny falls in love with the local postmistress, Molly Gray. He wins Molly’s affections – but can he beat off a New York rival?

Ce musical servira d'inspiration pour "Crazy for You", spectacle comprenant les plus grandes chansons des frères Gershwin et qui sera créé avec grand succès à Broadway en 1992.

The musical opened at the Alvin Theatre on October 14, 1930 and closed on June 6, 1931 after 272 performances. It was directed by Alexander Leftwich, with choreography by George Hale and sets by Donald Oenslager. This musical made a star of Ginger Rogers, who, with Allen Kearns, sang "Could You Use Me?" and "Embraceable You" and, with Willie Howard, "But Not for Me". Ethel Merman, in her Broadway debut sang "I Got Rhythm", "Sam and Delilah", and "Boy! What Love Has Done To Me!" and "became an overnight sensation...that launched her fifty year career." Also of note is the opening night pit orchestra, which was composed of many well-known jazz musicians, including Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey.

"The score was one of the Gershwins' best" according to theatre writer Ken Bloom.

In 1992 it was produced with a new title as the stage musical Crazy for You. The show was heavily revised, with a completely new plot, and songs from other Gershwin shows added.

"Musicals Tonight!", New York City, presented a staged concert in September 2001.

An abridged version of Girl Crazy was presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC October 2–5, 2008 as part of their Broadway: Three Generations production. Max von Essen played Danny, Jenn Colella played Molly, and Randy Graff played Kate, directed by Lonny Price.

The New York City Center Encores! staged concert was held in November 2009. Directed by Jerry Zaks, it starred Ana Gasteyer, Marc Kudisch, Becki Newton, and Wayne Knight.

Acte I
Bidin' My Time
The Lonesome Cowboy
Could You Use Me
Bronco Busters
Barbary Coast
Embraceable You
Goldfarb, That's I'm!
Embraceable You (Reprise)
Sam and Delilah
I Got Rhythm

Acte II
Land of the Gay Caballero
But Not For Me
Treat Me Rough
Boy! What Love Has Done To Me!
(When It's) Cactus Time in Arizona

Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant Girl Crazy

Film adaptations: The 1932 RKO Radio Pictures production was very unlike the stage play except for its score. The film was tailored for the comic talents of Wheeler & Woolsey, a then-popular comedy team. In 1943, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced a lavish version starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. In 1965, MGM once again made the musical into a film, for Connie Francis. Unlike the previous two versions, the title was changed to When the Boys Meet the Girls. It co-starred Herman's Hermits, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace. A number of Gershwin songs were retained, including "Embraceable You", "Bidin' My Time", "But Not for Me", "Treat Me Rough", and "I Got Rhythm".

Two roles (June and Chesty) were eliminated during rehearsals. They were to have performed the song "Are You Dancing?".
The song "Embraceable You" needed to be restaged and Fred Astaire was brought in to do so. It was the first time that he and Ginger Rogers met.