Opening night:1939 Performances: Composer: Arthur Schwartz Book: Performers:
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Musical Numbers
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Stars in Your Eyes was Dorothy�s second book musical, and her first project after she returned to New York for married life with second husband Eli Lahm. The creative process was a troubled one, with the show�s original conception being radically altered by director Joshua Logan, who removed the left-wing political comment which had originally featured strongly. Songs were cut and replaced, and the piece emerged as a lively romantic comedy taking place in Hollywood. Some serious songs remained, such as the rueful, resigned I�ll Pay The Check, delivered by Ethel Merman. The cast was a great asset, featuring not only Merman but Jimmy Durante; the pair had a show-stopping number in It�s All Yours, during which they repeatedly interrupted the chorus with wisecracks, jokes and ad-libs. If It�s All Yours was a throw-away number, but some of the other numbers represented Dorothy�s first foray into writing lyrics integrated with the characters and plot of a show. The show was moderately well received by critics, but lasted less than four months. |