Dolores Gray (Signed) "SWEET BYE and BYE" Vernon Duke / Al Hirschfeld 1946 FLOP

Description

I'm currently listing a large number of playbills from out-of-town tryouts prior to the Broadway runs. Many are from early performances when revisions were common and include song titles that were cut before opening in New York ....... This is a rare autographed October 21st, 1946 "Playgoer" playbill from the out-of-town tryout of the S. J. PERELMAN, AL HIRSCHFELD, OGDEN NASH and VERNON DUKE musical flop "SWEET BYE AND BYE" at the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (The production opened October 10th, 1946 at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut and closed November 5th, 1946 in Philadelphia, canceling the scheduled Broadway opening.) ..... The musical starred DOLORES GRAY (who signed the title page), ERIK RHODES and WALTER O'KEEFE and featured WINFIELD HOENY, MIRIAM LA VELLE, ROBERT STRAUSS, JACK BLAIR, ELEANOR FRENCH, TOM GLAZER, LE ROI OPERTI and a Company of 100 ..... Side Note: During his long career, AL HIRSCHFELD (1903-2003) chronicled the New York theater scene with his delightful caricatures that for decades graced the drama page of the Sunday "New York Times" Arts & Leisure section. The New York theatre's official portrait painter strayed onto the other side of the footlights only once. In 1946 he collaborated with his friends S. J. Perelman, Ogden Nash, and Vernon Duke on the musical, "Sweet Bye and Bye." The musical promply folded in Philadelphia, and according to Hirschfeld, "was such a colossal turkey that Perelman and I had to leave the country. That's how we happened to go around the world" by tramp steamer and hilariously chronicle their misbegotten trek in the classic 'Westward Ha!' "By the time we came back nine months later, all was forgiven." (Reprinted in part from The Margot Feiden Galleries, Ltd. website.) ..... CREDITS: Music by VERNON DUKE
("Garrick Gaieties", "Ziegfeld Follies", "At Home Abroad", "Cabin in the Sky", "Sadie Thompson", "Two's Company"); Lyrics by OGDEN NASH; Book by S. J. PERELMAN and AL HIRSCHFELD; Sets designed by BORIS ARONSON; Choreographed by FRED KELLY; Directed by CURT CONWAY; Produced by NAT KARSON
..... DETAILS: The 16 page playbill measures 6" X 9" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes and list of musical numbers, but no cast photos or bios  ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light edge wear, this rare playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard ..... SHIPPING DISCOUNTS: Check my "Other Items" for additional rare Broadway playbills and other theatre related memorabilia. Shipping discounts are available for multiple purchases when all items are combined into a single payment. Please wait for a revised invoice before sending payment ..... THANKS !!!
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