Best Foot Forward

A musical comedy in 2 acts, 16 scenes. Libretto by John Cecil Holm; Music and lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 1 October, 1941 (326 perfs)
Off-Broadway revival in 1963 starred Liza Minnelli as Blind Date

The Story

Winsocki High at prom time.

As a lark Bud Hooper invites the Hollywood starlet Gale Joy to be his prom date, never seriously expecting her to accept. However, Gale's press agent, Jack Haggerty sees excellent promotional possibilities in the stunt and gets Gale to accept. Bud's girlfriend, Helen Schlesinger, is so furious that she rips off part of Gale's gown, signaling a wild tearing and stripping session in which Helen's classmates claw for souvenirs. Avoiding scandal, Gale agrees to return quietly to Hollywood while Bud and Helen are reunited.

Musical Numbers

ACT I

Don't Sell the Night Short - Minerva, Blind Date, Students, Girls
Three Men on a Date - Bud Hooper, Dutch Miller, Hunk Hoyt, The Dancer, The Gay Blades, The Tap Dancers That's How I Love the Blues - Gale Joy, Jack Haggerty
The Three B's - Ethel, Minerva, Blind Date The Jury
Ev'ry Time - Helen Schlessinger
The Guy Who Brought Me - Gale Joy, Jack Haggerty, Bud Hooper, Dutch Miller, Hunk HoytScene 6
I Know You By Heart - Bud Hooper
Shady Lady Bird - Helen Schlessinger, Students
Shady Lady Bird (reprise) - Helen Schlessinger, Ensemble

ACT 2

Buckle Down Winsocki - Chuck Green, Old Grad, Chorus
My First Promise - Ethel, Singers
What Do You Think I Am? - Minerva, Hunk Hoyt, Chorus and the Acrobats
Just a Little Joint With a Juke Box - Blind Date, Hunk Hoyt
Where Do You Travel? - Jack Haggerty, Helen Schlessinger, Miss Delaware Water Gap, Singers
Ev'ry Time (reprise) - Gale Joy
I'd Gladly Trade - Gale Joy, Entire Company

 

Scenes and settings

Act I

Scene 1: The Gymnasium
Scene 2: Room at the Eagle House
Scene 3: Room in the Boys' Dormitory
Scene 4: Hall Outside Girls' Cot Room
Scene 5: Room at the Eagle House
Scene 6: Girls' Cot Room
Scene 7: Hall Outside Girls' Cot Room
Scene 8: The Gymnasium

Act II

Scene 1: The Gymnasium
Scene 2: Room in Boys' Dormitory
Scene 3: Exterior of Dormitory
Scene 4: The Gymnasium
Scene 5: Hall
Scene 6: Room in the Eagle House
Scene 7: Hall
Scene 8: The Gymnasium

 

Discography

1963 Revival cast recording - Piccadilly PIC 3485