LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE

Book and lyrics by Rick Besoyan

Orpheum Theatre, Off-Broadway 18 November, 1959 (1143 perfs)
Produced at the Comedy Theatre, London, May 17, 1962

Synopsis

The musical theatre has created its own beloved and unlikely world, not intended to stand cold, logical analysis. The handsome hero is brave, and the comic lead a coward. The top soprano, though adored by all, is unassailably virtuous, and has a scatter-brained servant girl for the comic lead to marry. The villains must, in the end, relent or face utter defeat. By collecting every known cliché from musicals of the Rose Marie-Desert Song era and lumping them joyously into one delightfully far-fetched story, Rick Besoyan has created an entertainment which is hilarious to rehearse and - provided it is made clear that the production is not intended to be taken seriously - is adored by audiences. Be warned: if your patrons report very pleasant, but rather old-fashioned', you have allowed them to miss the whole point!

For the Chorus

Little Mary Sunshine owns an inn which, considering it is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, does a surprisingly brisk trade with Forest Rangers, young ladies of Eastchester Finishing School, assorted characters, and a handful of marauding Red Indians. The London production used only a small chorus, but numbers are expandable. The score offers straightforward, tuneful chorus singing, and a little dancing is required.

Musical Numbers:

Colorado Love Call
Coo Coo
Do You Ever Dream Of Vienna?
Every Little Nothing
The Forest Rangers
How Do You Do?
In Izzenschnooken on the Lovely Essenzook Zee
Little Mary Sunshine
Look For A Sky Of Blue
Mata Hari
Me, A Heap Big Indian
Naughty, Naughty Nancy
Once In A Blue Moon
Playing Croquet
Say Uncle
Such A Merry Party
Swinging
Tell A Handsome Stranger
What Has Happened?
You're the Fairest Flower

Singing Principals

Little Mary Sunshine.
Mme Ernestine von Leibedich: operatic contralto; retired.
Nancy Winkle: Mary's maid.
Captain 'Big' Jim Warrington of the Forest Rangers.
Cpl Billy Jester.
General Oscar Fairfax: a roué retired.

 

Straight Roles

Fleet Foot: a decaying Indian guide.
Yellow Feather: heap bad Indian.
Chief Brown Bear: heap good Indian.

Scenes and Settings

Act I

Scene 1: Outside the Colorado Inn.
Scene 2: The garden (front drop).
Scene 3: Behind the Inn.
Scene 4: Primrose Path (travellers)

Act II

Scene 1: Outside the Inn.
Scene 2: Point Look-Out (front drop).
Scene 3: A tepee (in front of the travellers).
Scene 4: The girls' bedroom in the Inn (inset).
Scene 5: Primrose Path.
Scene 6: The Indian Burial Ground

 

Orchestration

1st and 2nd Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Drums

Also available on hire: special two-piano arrangement, as originally used in the first off-Broadway production

 

Discography:

Original Broadway Cast - Broadway Angel ZDM-764774-2
Original London Cast - DRG 13108