Lend an Ear
Encyclopedia
Lend an Ear is a musical
revue
with a book, music, and lyrics by Charles Gaynor and additional sketches by Joseph Stein
and Will Glickman
.
played as a small revue in April 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, directed by Burleigh with the performers from Carnegie Tech and in a "straw hat" theatre, but plans to produce the show in New York ended. After World War II
ended, it was decided to proceed with the revue, and it began rehearsals in May 1948 in Los Angeles
, California. Gower Champion
became involved and went from advisor to choreographer to being credited as "Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by..." Lend an Ear premiered at the Las Palmas Theatre, Los Angeles, on June 14, 1948. Rehearsals for a New York opening began on July 26, 1948 at the Coronet Theatre (now the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
). The show went to Boston
for its tryout, opening at the Majestic Theatre in August 1948.
and moved three times before closing on January 21, 1950 after 460 performances. "The brilliant revue "Lend an Ear" moved in [to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (Broadway)] from another theatre in 1949 and played for three months."
Directed by Hal Gerson, with musical staging by Gower Champion and Assistant to the choreographer Marge Champion
, the costumes, setting and lighting were by Raoul Pene DuBois. The cast featured Carol Channing
, Yvonne Adair, Jennie Lou Law, Gloria Hamilton, Gene Nelson
, Bob Scheerer, and William Eythe
. Channing, Nelson, and Scheerer won the Theatre World Award
, and Champion won the Tony Award for Best Choreography
.
The musical gave Carol Channing her break "where the wide-eyed beauty displayed her fabulous comic talents and vocal abilities". This led to her being cast, the following year, in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
.
No cast album was made.
at the Renata Theatre by Steven Slane and Jenny Lou Law in September 1959, with direction by Law and choreography by Bill Hooks. The cast featured Elizabeth Allen
, Charles Nelson Reilly
, and June Squibb.
Songs included "Who hit me?", "Neurotic you and psychopathic me", "Where is the She for Me?"., "Give Your Heart a Chance to Sing", "Doin' the Old Yahoo Step, and "Molly O'Reilly".
Act 1
Act 2
, in his New York Times review, wrote that "Gaynor's intimate musical is a model of skill and taste in this style of fooling, and it is performed by some fresh-grown youngsters whose talents have not been corrupted yet...He is lightly satirizing some of the more palatable follies of the day, and he is so neat in his touch that he does not have to clever...At the end of the first act Mr. Gaynor offers a very funny burlesque of old-time musical comedy-'The Gladiola Girl'".
According to Playbill.com, "In December 1948, a delirious revue, "Lend an Ear," entirely written by Charles Gaynor, set the town on its ear. Carol Channing was an overnight success as a loony, wide-eyed blonde in such numbers as "The Gladiola Girl" and "Opera Without Music, " and Yvonne Adair, William Eythe, Gene Nelson, and the rest of the cast made this one of the theatre's best revues of all time."
monthly variety series
TV's Shower of Stars.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
revue
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
with a book, music, and lyrics by Charles Gaynor and additional sketches by Joseph Stein
Joseph Stein
Joseph Stein was an American playwright best known for writing the books for such musicals as Fiddler on the Roof and Zorba.-Biography:...
and Will Glickman
Will Glickman
Will Glickman Born: March 07, 1910/March 1983 was an American playwright who frequently collaborated with Joseph Stein.Glickman made his Broadway debut in 1948 with sketches he and Stein wrote for the revue Lend an Ear. The two went on to collaborate on Mrs. Gibbons' Boys, Alive and Kicking, Mr...
.
Background
Lend an Ear was commissioned by Frederick Burleigh, andplayed as a small revue in April 1941 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, directed by Burleigh with the performers from Carnegie Tech and in a "straw hat" theatre, but plans to produce the show in New York ended. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended, it was decided to proceed with the revue, and it began rehearsals in May 1948 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California. Gower Champion
Gower Champion
Gower Carlyle Champion was an American actor, theatre director, choreographer, and dancer.-Early years:Champion was born in Geneva, Illinois, the son of John W. Champion and Beatrice Carlisle. He was raised in Los Angeles, California, where he graduated from Fairfax High School...
became involved and went from advisor to choreographer to being credited as "Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by..." Lend an Ear premiered at the Las Palmas Theatre, Los Angeles, on June 14, 1948. Rehearsals for a New York opening began on July 26, 1948 at the Coronet Theatre (now the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
The Eugene O'Neill Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 230 West 49th Street in midtown-Manhattan.Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, it was built for the Shuberts as part of a theatre-hotel complex named for 19th century tragedian Edwin Forrest...
). The show went to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for its tryout, opening at the Majestic Theatre in August 1948.
Broadway
Lend an Ear opened on Broadway on December 16, 1948 at the National TheatreNederlander Theatre
David T. Nederlander Theatre is a 1,232-seat Broadway theatre located at 208 West 41st Street, in New York City . One of the Nederlander Organization's nine Broadway theatres, the legacy of the theatre began with David Tobias Nederlander, for whom the theatre is named.Built by Walter C...
and moved three times before closing on January 21, 1950 after 460 performances. "The brilliant revue "Lend an Ear" moved in [to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (Broadway)] from another theatre in 1949 and played for three months."
Directed by Hal Gerson, with musical staging by Gower Champion and Assistant to the choreographer Marge Champion
Marge Champion
Marge Champion is an American dancer, choreographer, and pedagogue. In addition, she also worked in film and appeared in a number of television variety shows.-Early years:...
, the costumes, setting and lighting were by Raoul Pene DuBois. The cast featured Carol Channing
Carol Channing
Carol Elaine Channing is an American singer, actress, and comedienne. She is the recipient of three Tony Awards , a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination...
, Yvonne Adair, Jennie Lou Law, Gloria Hamilton, Gene Nelson
Gene Nelson
Gene Nelson was an American dancer, actor, screenwriter, and director.-Biography:Born Leander Eugene Berg in Astoria, Oregon, he moved to Seattle when he was one year old. He was inspired to become a dancer by watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films when he was a child...
, Bob Scheerer, and William Eythe
William Eythe
William Eythe was an American actor of film, radio, television and stage.-Early life and career:Born in Mars, Pennsylvania, a small town located about 25 miles from Pittsburgh, he was interested in acting from a young age. He attended Carnegie Tech University and studied acting and he began...
. Channing, Nelson, and Scheerer won the Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
, and Champion won the Tony Award for Best Choreography
Tony Award for Best Choreography
-1940s:* 1947: Agnes de Mille – Brigadoon / Michael Kidd – Finian's Rainbow* 1948: Jerome Robbins – High Button Shoes* 1949: Gower Champion – Lend An Ear-1950s:* 1950: Helen Tamiris – Touch and Go* 1951: Michael Kidd – Guys and Dolls...
.
The musical gave Carol Channing her break "where the wide-eyed beauty displayed her fabulous comic talents and vocal abilities". This led to her being cast, the following year, in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (musical)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a musical with a book by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos, lyrics by Leo Robin, and music by Jule Styne, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Loos...
.
No cast album was made.
Revival
A revival was produced Off-BroadwayOff-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
at the Renata Theatre by Steven Slane and Jenny Lou Law in September 1959, with direction by Law and choreography by Bill Hooks. The cast featured Elizabeth Allen
Elizabeth Allen
Elizabeth Allen, Eliza Allen, Liz Allen or Beth Allen may refer to:*Eliza Allen Houston , first wife of Tennessee governor Sam Houston*Eliza Allen Starr , American artist known for her Catholic art...
, Charles Nelson Reilly
Charles Nelson Reilly
Charles Nelson Reilly was an American actor, comedian, director and drama teacher known for his comedic roles in theater, movies, children's television, animated cartoons, and as a panelist on the game show Match Game....
, and June Squibb.
Revue sketches and songs overview
The sketch topics included psychoanalysts, gossip columnists, Santo Domingo as seen by a tourist, silent screen stars, a poor opera company that has no orchestra, and "The Gladiola Girl". The most famous sketch was the first act finale, "The Missing Road Company", featuring an imaginary lost touring troupe of the 1925 musical hit The Gladiola Girl, which was a spoof of 1920s musicals. In the sketch "Friday Dancing Class" a young man's (Gene Nelson) mother makes him go to a dance class; when he misbehaves and is forced to dance alone, he is saved by one of the young ladies. Channing played "such diverse characters as a French movie star, a British Christian Scientist, and 1920s flapper."Songs included "Who hit me?", "Neurotic you and psychopathic me", "Where is the She for Me?"., "Give Your Heart a Chance to Sing", "Doin' the Old Yahoo Step, and "Molly O'Reilly".
The sketches and songs
Source:Act 1
- After Hours - The Company
- Give Your Heart a Chance to Sing - Dorothy Babbs (The Girl); Robert Dixon, Arthur Maxwell, Bob Hergert, Tommy Morton, Bob Scheerer (The Boys)
- Neurotic You and Psychopathic Me - Lee Stacy (The Nurse), Anne Renee Anderson (The Patient), William Eythe (The Doctor)
- I'm Not in Love - Arthur Maxwell (The Boss Who Dictates); Yvonne Adair (The Secretary Who Sings); Gene Nelson, Tommy Morton, Bob Scheerer (The Bosses Who Dance)
- Do It Yourself - William Eythe, Al Checco, Jenny Lou Law, Hal Hackett
- Friday Dancing Class - Gene Nelson and Company
- Ballade - Anne Renee Anderson
- When Someone You Love Loves You - Sung by: Gloria Hamilton and Robert Dixon; Danced by: Antoinette Guhlke and Gene Nelson
- The Missing Road Company (The Gladiola Girl) - William Eythe (Announcer) and Company
Act 2
- Santo Domingo - Arthur Maxwell (Travel Agent), Yvonne Adair (The Tourist), The Company (Santo Domingans)
- I'm On the Lookout - Gloria Hamilton
- Three Little Queens of the Silver Screen - Lee Stacy, Anne Renee Anderson, Carol Channing
- Molly O'Reilly - Dancers: Bob Scheerer, Dorothy Babbs; Sung by: Jenine Smith, Gloria Hamilton, Beverly Hosier, Robert Dixon, Arthur Maxwell, Larry Stewart
- All the World's - Arthur Maxwell (Announcer), William Eythe (Mr. Playgoer), Carol Channing (Mrs. Playgoer), George Hall (A Bartender)
- Who Hit Me? - Sung by: Yvonne Adair; Danced by: Gene Nelson
- Words Without Song - Arthur Maxwell, Carol Channing, Anne Renee Anderson, George Hall, William Eythe and Chorus
- Finale
Response
Brooks AtkinsonBrooks Atkinson
Justin Brooks Atkinson was an American theatre critic. He worked for The New York Times from 1925 to 1960...
, in his New York Times review, wrote that "Gaynor's intimate musical is a model of skill and taste in this style of fooling, and it is performed by some fresh-grown youngsters whose talents have not been corrupted yet...He is lightly satirizing some of the more palatable follies of the day, and he is so neat in his touch that he does not have to clever...At the end of the first act Mr. Gaynor offers a very funny burlesque of old-time musical comedy-'The Gladiola Girl'".
According to Playbill.com, "In December 1948, a delirious revue, "Lend an Ear," entirely written by Charles Gaynor, set the town on its ear. Carol Channing was an overnight success as a loony, wide-eyed blonde in such numbers as "The Gladiola Girl" and "Opera Without Music, " and Yvonne Adair, William Eythe, Gene Nelson, and the rest of the cast made this one of the theatre's best revues of all time."
Television
Highlights of the revue were recreated for the October 28, 1954 broadcast of the CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
monthly variety series
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
TV's Shower of Stars.