Tom Foolery is a musical 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...

 based on lyrics and music that Tom Lehrer

Tom Lehrer

Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, mathematician and polymath. He has lectured on mathematics and musical theater...

 first performed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, it premiered in London at the Criterion Theatre

Criterion Theatre

The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has an official capacity of 588.-Building the theatre:...

, directed by Gillian Lynne

Gillian Lynne

Gillian Barbara Lynne , CBE, born , is a British ballerina, dancer, actor, theatre director, television director and choreographer noted for her popular theatre choreography associated with the iconic musicals Cats and the current longest running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera.-...

, on 5 June 1980, where it had a successful run. It subsequently opened on December 14, 1981 off-Broadway

Off-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 Top of the Gate in Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...

, New York, where it ran for 120 performances. The cast included Jonathan Hadary

Jonathan Hadary

Jonathan Hadary is an American actor.Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, Hadary arrived at Tufts University already an accomplished actor. He was promptly cast by every director at Tufts, both student and faculty. During his sophomore year, he became an understudy for the...

. Lehrer himself was brought in as a consultant.

The revue features 28 of Lehrer's satirical songs that were written in the 1950s and 60s, known for their "witty naughtiness". Stage directions suggest each actor use their own name and wait onstage in a bar area while the others perform.

Lehrer later played two songs from this revue (and from his many albums) at the Cameron Mackintosh celebration Hey, Mr. Producer!. One number is available on a videotape of the same name.

Two cast recordings have been released, one by the original London cast (Robin Ray

Robin Ray

Robin Ray was an English actor, musician and broadcaster, the son of comedian Ted Ray and the brother of actor Andrew Ray.-Career:...

, Jonathan Adams, Martin Connor and Tricia George), the other much rarer one by the Canadian cast.

Song list

Act 1

• The Masochism Tango
• Be Prepared - All
• Poisoning Pigeons In The Park
• I Wanna Go Back To Dixie
• My Home Town
• Pollution
• Bright College Days
• Fight Fiercely Harvard
• The Elements
• The Folk Song Army
• In Old Mexico
• She’s My Girl
• When You Are Old And Gray
• Wernher Von Braun
• Who’s Next?- All
• I Got It From Agnes
• National Brotherhood Week - All

Act 2

• So Long, Mom
• The Hunting Song
• The Irish Ballad
• Smut- All
• New Math
• Silent E All
• George Murphy
• Oedipus Rex
• I Hold Your Hand In Mine
• The Vatican Rag
• We Will All Go Together When We Go
• Send The Marines
• The Wiener Schnitzel Waltz

External links

• Lortel Archives listing
• "TOMFOOLERY" recording