L'IL ABNER

An original musical comedy in 2 acts, 20 scenes. Book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank

Based on characters created by Al Capp
Lyrics & music by Johnny Mercer & Gene de Paul

St James Theatre, New York - 15 November, 1956 (693 perfs)

The wonderful tunes include Abner and Daisy's gentle duet, "Namely You", a dream ballad, "If I Had by Druthers", the hilarious show-stopper, "Jubilation T. Cornpone", General Bullmoose's "Progress Is the Root Of All Evil" and the political satire, "The Country's In the Very Best of Hands". The Sadie Hawkins Day Ballet and fine choral work contribute to making L'il Abner one of the classics of American musical theatre.

Synopsis

Daisy Mae is bent on capturing L'il Abner for herself on the next Sadie Hawkins Day when the women make the running. However, things are not quite as simple as that. Daisy Mae has a rival for Abner's affections, Appassionata von Climax. She has engaged a professional aide to help her win the race. It is Evil Eye Fleagle who produces his own distraction for the men, Stupefyin' Jones. But, a cloud hangs over Dogpatch. The US Government want to use the town where they all live as a site for atomic bomb experiments. Dogpatch was chosen as nothing important or historical ever took place there.

The men-folk are taken away from the town for scientific experiments to make them handsome but they become completely uninterested in the opposite sex.

Eventually, the men are restored to their former selves, ugly but potent. Marryin' Sam meanwhile has unearthed some salient facts about the founder of the town, the sensible but cowardly Jubilation T. Cornpone, with a catalogue of his civil war disasters. This historical reference means the town can be saved and even though the Sadie Hawkins Day race doesn't turn out quite as planned (Earthquake McGoon catches Daisy and Appassionata von Climax gets Abner) by the end of the show Abner and Daisy Mae are married to each other, the ceremony being performed, of course, by Marryin Sam.

Al Capp's creation of the community of Dogpatch - one of the most underrated areas in the whole of the USA - learn that their town has been earmarked for a testing site for atom bombs, the residents, Daisy Mae, Abner Yokum, Pappy and Mammy Yokum, Marryin' Sam, Earthquake McGoon, Stupifyin' Jones and the rest, discover that, many years ago, their beloved community of Dogpatch was designated as a national shrine.

The satire that always permeates the Al Capp comic strips here finds occasion to mock big business, nuclear policy and the security programme in America in the mid-50s.

CAST: Male 14 : Female 11 : Plus various minor roles and chorus.

Original Cast

(in order of appearance)

• Lonesome Polecat: Anthony [Tony] Mordente.
• Hairless Joe: Chad Block.
• Romeo Scragg: Marc Breaux.
• Clem Scragg: James Hurst.
• Alf Scragg: Anthony Salverino.
• Moonbeam McSwine: Carmen Alvarez.
• Marryin' Sam: STUBBY KAYE.
• Earthquake McGoon: BERN HOFFMAN.
• Daisy Mae: EDITH ADAMS.
• Poppy Yokum: JOE E. MARKS.
• Li'l Abner: PETER PALMER.
• Cronies: Marc Breaux, Ralph Linn, Jack Matthew, Robert McClure, George Reeder.
• Mayor Dawgmeat: Oran Osburn.
• Senator Jack S. Phogbound: TED THURSTON.
• Dr. Rasmussen T. Finsdale: STANLEY SIMMONDS.
• Government Man: Richard Maitland.
• Available Jones: WILLIAM LANTEAU.
• Stupefyin' Jones: JULIE NEWMAR.
• Colonel: George Reeder.
• Radio Commentators: James Hurst, Robert McClure, Jack Matthew.
• President: Lanier Davis.
• General Bullmoose: HOWARD ST. JOHN.
• Secretaries: Lanier Davis, Robert McClure, Jack Matthew, George Reeder.
• Appassionata Von Climax: TINA LOUISE.
• Evil Eye Fleagle: AL NESOR.
• Dr. Smithbom: George Reeder.
• Dr. Krogmeyer: Ralph Linn.
• Dr. Schleifitz: Marc Breaux.
• State Department Man: Lamer Davis.
• Wives: Carmen Alvarez, Pat Creighton, Lillian D'Honau, Bonnie Evans, Hope Holiday, Deedee Wood.
• Butler: James J. Jeffries.
• Colonel: Lanier Davis.

Singers: Margaret Baxter, Joan Cherof, Pat Creighton, Joyce Gladmond, Hope Holiday, Jane House, Louise Pearl, Jeanette Scovotti, Don Braswell, Lanier Davis, James Hurst, Jack Matthew, Robert McClure, Oran Osburn, George Ritner, Anthony Saverino.

Dancers: Carmen Alvarez, Lillian D'Honau, Bonnie Evans, Maureen Hopkins, Barbara Klopfer, Christy Peterson, Sharon Shore, Rebecca Vorno, Deedee Wood, Chad Block, Marc Breaux, Grover Dale, Robert Karl, Ralph Linn, Richard Maitland, Anthony Mordente, Tom Panko, George Reeder. And: Jan Gunnar, Lucky Kargo, Mario Lamm, Reed Morgan, Aldo Ventura, Robert Wiensko.

Scenes and Settings

Act 1

Scene 1: Dogpatch, U.S.A.
Scene 2: The Yokum Cabin.
Scene 3: The Fishing Hole.
Scene 4: Cornpone Square.
Scene 5: Dogpatch Road.
Scene 6: Cornpone Square.
Scene 7: Washington D. C. Sequence:

a. Government Laboratory,
b. The President's Office.

Scene 8: General Bullmoose's Office.
Scene 9: Dogpatch Road.
Scene 10: Dogpatch.
Scene 11: Dogpatch Road.
Scene 12: Dogpatch.

Act 2

Scene 1: Government Testing Laboratory, Washington.
Scene 2: The Yokum Cabin.
Scene 3: General Bullmoose's Cabin.
Scene 4: Corridor in Bullmoose Mansion.
Scene 5: Ballroom in Bullmoose Mansion.
Scene 6: Corridor in Bullmoose Mansion.
Scene 7: The Government Testing Laboratory.
Scene 8: Cornpone Square.

 

Songs:

1. A Typical Day - Dogpatchers
   
2. If I Had My Druthers - L'il Abner, Cronies
   
3. If I Had My Druthers (reprise) - Daisy Mae
   
4. Jubilation T. Cornpone - Marryin' Sam, Dogpatchers
   
5. Rag Offen the Bush - Dogpatchers
   
6. Namely You - Daisy Mae, L'il Abner
   
7. Unnecessary Town - L'il Abner, Daisy Mae, Dogpatchers
   
8. What's Good for General Bullmoose - Secretaries
   
9. There's Room Enough for Us - Dogpatchers
   
10. The Country's in the Very Best of Hands - L'il Abner, Marryin' Sam
    
11. Sadie Hawkins Day (Ballet) - Dogpatchers
    
12. Oh, Happy Day - Lil Abner's Cronies
    
13. I'm Past My Prime - Daisy Mae, Marryin' Sam
    
14. Love in a Home - L'il Abner, Daisy Mae
    
15. Progress Is the Root of All Evil - General Bullmoose
    
16. Society Party - Guests, Dogpatchers
    
17. Progress Is the Root of All Evil (reprise) - General Bullmoose
    
18. Put 'Em Back - Wives
    
19. Namely You (reprise) - Daisy Mae
    
20. The Matrimonial Stomp - Marryin' Sam, Dogpatchers
    
21. Finale - Entire Company

ORCHESTRATION:

Violin 1, 2, 3, & 4: Viola: Cello: Bass: Reed 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5: Trumpets 1, 2 & 3: Trombone 1, 2 & 3: Percussion: Guitar-Banjo: Piano