The Legend of '' Paradise Island '' is a Hawaiian Musical Fantasy in two acts, with book, music, and lyrics by
Carmen Lombardo
Carmen Lombardo (July 16, 1903 – April 17, 1971) was lead saxophonist and featured vocalist for his brother Guy Lombardo's orchestra. He was also a successful composer. In 1927, Carmen Lombardo was the vocalist of the hit record Charmaine, perf ...
and John Jacob Loeb. The book was adapted by
Francis Swann. The show was produced by
Guy Lombardo
Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1977) was an Italian-Canadian-American bandleader, violinist, and hydroplane racer.
Lombardo formed the Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert and Victor, and oth ...
at the
Jones Beach Marine Theater. The show opened on June 22, 1961.
[Mantle, Burns, Editor, "The Best Plays of 1961–1962", Dodd, Mead & Company, pp. 303-304.]
The book was directed by
Francis Swann, and choreographed and staged by
June Taylor, scenery designed by George Jenkins. Costumes by Winiford Morton. Lighting by Peggy Clark. The musical direction and vocal arrangements were by Pembroke Davenport. The orchestrations were by Joe Glover and the dance arrangements were by Milt Sherman. The entire production was under the supervision of Arnold Spector. It ran for 75 performances.
The cast starred
Elaine Malbin,
Arthur Treacher
Arthur Veary Treacher (, 23 July 1894 – 14 December 1975) was an English film and stage actor active from the 1920s to the 1960s, and known for playing English types, especially butler and manservant roles, such as the P.G. Wodehouse valet c ...
, and
William Gaxton
William Gaxton (né Arthur Anthony Gaxiola, December 2, 1893 – February 2, 1963) was an American star of vaudeville, film, and theatre. Gaxton was president of The Lambs Club from 1936 to 1939, 1952 to 1953, and 1957 to 1961. He and Victo ...
and included Jack Washburn, Norman Atkins, Honey Sanders, Ralph Purdum, Harold Gary, Robert Penn, The Toy Boys, Tom Noel, Little Joe,
Elsa Raven
Elsa Rabinowitz (September 21, 1929 – November 2, 2020), known professionally as Elsa Raven, was an American character actress, perhaps best known for her two years (1988–1990) on the sitcom ''Amen'' and playing the mother of Vincent Terrano ...
, and The John Piilani Watkins Group, according to the program.
According to the review of the show in the New York Times by Louis Calta, the story is about an American industrialist (William Gaxton), his son (Jack Washburn), and his butler (Arthur Treacher), who are shipwrecked on a tiny Hawaiian island. Mr. Lombardo brought 32 performers from Hawaii, ages 6 to 21, for the outdoor venture, dancing the hula, sword dances, fire dances, torchlight processions, and a luau.
[The New York Times, June 24, 1961]
The show was revived by Guy Lombardo the next season, starting June 27, 1962, for 68 performances.
[Mantle, Burns, Editor, "The Best Plays of 1962–1963", Dodd, Mead & Company, p. 313.]
,
Songs
Act 1
* “Happy Hukilau”
* “Once Upon A Time”
* “The Coconut Wireless”
* “My World and Your World”
* “The Menehune”
* “Hokunani”
* “Luau Chant”
* “What Could Be More Romantic”
Act 2
* “It’s a Great Day for Hawaii”
* “I’ll Just Pretend”*
* “Never Any Time To Play”
* “Beyond the Clouds”
* “Ceremonial Chant”
* “Ceremonial March”
* “Now the Time Has Come”
* “Paradise Island”
References
{{reflist
1961 musicals
American musicals
Musicals set in Hawaii