''Two Little Girls in Blue'' is a

musical theatre Musical theatre is a form of theatre, theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, ...

work composed by Paul Lannin and

Vincent Youmans Vincent Millie Youmans (September 27, 1898 – April 5, 1946) was an American Broadway composer and producer. A leading Broadway composer of his day, Youmans collaborated with virtually all the greatest lyricists on Broadway: Ira Gershwin, ...

, with lyrics by

Ira Gershwin Ira Gershwin (born Israel Gershovitz; December 6, 1896 – August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs in the English language of the ...

(under the pseudonym "Arthur Francis") and a

libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...

by Fred Jackson. The musical takes place aboard the S.S. Empress and in India. The musical premiered at George M. Cohan's Theatre 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 ...

on May 3, 1921.

History

Background

The first "conference" for the show was held at the

Garden City Hotel The Garden City Hotel is a historic hotel on Long Island, in Garden City, New York. Founded in 1874, it is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024. The current structure is the fourth to bear the name, and opened in 1983. History The first G ...

, where Lannin worked as a chef. According to Gershwin, "His father wanted him to learn every phase of the hotel business, which didn't include composing." A.L. Erlanger was brought in as producer, though Youmans and Gershwin were "urged to keep in the background," as Erlanger would be hesitant to produce a work with young writers.

1921 Broadway premiere

The original production, produced by Erlanger and staged by

Ned Wayburn Ned Wayburn ''(né'' Edward Claudius Weyburn; 30 March 1874 – 2 September 1942) was an American choreographer. Career Edward Claudius Weyburn was born on March 30, 1874 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Elbert Delos Weyburn and his wife, Harri ...

, premiered at the George M. Chochan's Theatre in the Broadway Theater District in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

on May 3, 1921. The opening night cast included

Olin Howland Olin Ross Howland (February 10, 1886 – September 20, 1959) was an American film and theatre actor. Life and career Howland was born in Denver, Colorado, to Joby A. Howland, one of the youngest enlisted participants in the Civil War, an ...

, Madeline and Marion Fairbanks, Oscar Shaw, Edward Begley, and Virginia Earle.''Theatrical Notes'', New York Times, March 9, 1921, pg. 20. The May 4 review in ''

The New York Clipper The ''New York Clipper'', also known as ''The Clipper'', was a weekly entertainment newspaper published in New York City from 1853 to 1924. It covered many topics, including circuses, dance, music, the outdoors, sports, and theatre. It had a ...

'' stated: "The lyrics written by Arthur Francis are the best, and seem to show that there are some lyricists who are still able to write a lyric that rhymes also means something." Despite positive comments, Gershwin later wrote that working with Youmans was not a pleasure, as "he wanted to do everything; write, publish, produce, conduct, and show people down the aisle." Wayburn also gave negative statements: "I'm not satisfied to retire from the calling of Producing Stage Director with the reputation of being 'the world's greatest buck dancer.'" 1975 Off-Broadway revival An off-Broadway revival was produced in 1978, running only a few weeks. While all of Gershwin's lyrics remained intact in the score, roughly one third of the score had been lost and was recomposed by Nathan Hurwitz. This production was produced by David Mayhew and Victoria Sanders, starring Alison Bevan in a 99-seat black box theatre beneath CIrcle-in-the-Square downtown on West 4th Street. It ran for only a few weeks.

Musical numbers

;Act I * (We're Off on) A Wonderful Trip * (Your) Wonderful U.S.A * When I'm With the Girls * Two Little Girls in Blue * The Silly Season * Oh Me, Oh My, Oh You * You Started Something When You Came Along * We're Off to India ;Act II * Here, Steward * The Gypsy Trail†† * Dolly† * Who's Who With You? * Just Like You * There's Something About Me They Like§ * Rice and Shoes (Sweetest Girl)† * She's Innocent ;Act III * Honeymoon (When Will You Shine for Me?) * I'm Tickled Silly (Slapstick) * Orienta §Additional lyrics by Fred Jackson.
†Additional lyrics by Schuyler Greene.
††Additional lyrics by Irving Caesar.

Notes

External links

* {{Vincent Youmans 1921 musicals Broadway musicals Original musicals Musicals set in India Musicals set on ships Musicals by Frederick J. Jackson Musicals by Ira Gershwin Musicals by Vincent Youmans