ROBERTA

A musical comedy in 2 Acts, a prologue and 9 scenes: Music by Jerome Kern : Book and lyrics by Otto Harbach. Based on the novel Gowns by Roberta by Alice Duer Miller.

New Amsterdam Theatre, Broadway - 18 November, 1933 (294 perfs)

Synopsis

John Kent, an all-American fullback at Haverhill College learns he has inherited a dress shop run by his Aunt Minnie. But the shop is in Paris where his Aunt Minnie trades under the name of Roberta. Her assistant is a young lady named Stephanie. John proposes that she runs the shop in partnership with him. She agrees. A budding romance between the two almost comes to naught when Sophie, John's old college girlfriend, appears on the scene. John knows that Sophie has run off once before and suspects that she would do it again.

Only as they are about to be married does Stephanie reveal that she is a Russian princess.

Cast:

in order of appearance

Billy Boyden - the Hoofer
John Kent - the Fullback
Sophie Teale - the Debutante
Huckleberry Haines Orchestra
Huckleberry Haines - the crooner
Mrs Teale - the mother
Aunt Minnie (trade name Roberta) - the Modiste
Stephanie - The Manager at Roberta's
Angele - the Assistant
Lord Henry Delves - the Friend of Roberta
Mme Nunez, Clementina Scharwenks - the Star Customer
Ladislaw - the Doorman
Mme Grandet - the Fitter
Luella - the Model
Maria - the Stylist
M. Leroux - the Solicitor
Sidonie - the Presser

Musical Numbers:

1. Prologue
2. You're Devastating
3. Yesterdays
4. Something's Got to Happen
5. Prose Recital
6. The Touch of Your Hand
7. Scene and Pas de Seul
8. The Showing at Roberta's
9. I'll Be Hard to Handle
10. Hot Spot
11. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
12. Let's Begin
13. Dance Finaletto
14. Don't Ask Me Not to Sing
15. The Touch of Your Hand (reprise)

Discography:

Roberta with The Vagabond King - Decca Broadway 440 018 731-2