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Americans outside the theatre, which negatively affected sales. Finally, the show suffered several staffing problems. The choreographer was replaced midway through production and the show's leading lady, Ruby Hill, was replaced after its pre-Broadway tryout in Boston. Hill returned to the show after only three performances in New York at the insistence of the show's cast, in particular Pearl Bailey. The show opened at the Martin Beck Theater on March 30, 1946, and lasted for only 113 performances.
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Throughout the drama, any happiness the characters attain is offset by the deepest feeling of gloom. The correct balance for a musical comedy was never achieved, and a book that could have become an opera was treated neither humorously nor dramatically. These problems were compounded by the fact that Cullen died before rehearsals even began, and Ayers and Rouben
Mamoulian, who came in after to work on the show's narrative, could not fix the show's sprawling plot. Secondly, the
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an unwelcome visit from Biglow Brown. When she refuses to have anything more to do with him he beats her. It is at this point that Lila enters and begs Biglow to take her back. Augie returns and a shot is fired. Brown believing he has been shot by Augie swears a curse on him although it was, in fact, Lila who fired the gun.
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time and Augie attracts the attention and admiration of Della with his virtuoso performance of the cakewalk. Things go so well between them that they agree to set up home together and prepare plans to marry. But, things are not destined to go smoothly. While Augie is off at the racetrack, Della gets
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Although Arlen and Mercer created what some consider to be their best score, the musical suffered from many misfortunes during production. First, the book suffered several serious problems. The show was not really a comedy and did not lend itself to standard
Broadway musical treatment of its themes.
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Although Augie is suspected by everyone that he killed Biglow Brown, it is at Brown's funeral that Lila confesses. However, the curse cast by Brown seems to be working. Augie's horses are no longer winning and Della blames herself for all the problems that have overcome them. She leaves, pretending
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in 1898. Little Augie, a jockey who is on a winning streak, is enamoured of Della Green, the belle of St Louis. Della, however, is the girlfriend of Biglow Brown, the proprietor of the local bar. Biglow is abusive toward Della and she decides to leave him. Brown's previous mistress, Lila, is still
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criticised the musical for "offering roles that detract from the dignity of our race". Lena Horne agreed with this assessment and refused to star in the show saying she had no intention of portraying "a flashy lady of easy virtue". When the show eventually opened there were several protests by
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around which produces complications. And then there is the barmaid, Butterfly. She is in love with Barney, another jockey, but unlike Little Augie, Barney is older and not that lucky. But
Butterfly doesn't want things to go too far with Barney until she gets that elusive wedding ring.
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and thought that a musical version of
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Augie believes the curse to be so much mumbo-jumbo. He'll win his next race and he and Della can get back together again. He does - and they do!
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in New York on March 30, 1946, and ran for 113 performances. The original cast included Robert Pope (Badfoot),
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Della's new friend, the new bar-owner, nonetheless tells Augie of Della's true feelings.
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that she wants a better life than that which can now be provided by Augie.
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St. Louis Woman, musical play: Information and Much More from
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165:(Mississippi). The production's scenic designer and costume designer was
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Scene 1: Augie's and Della's home, late afternoon, the following week.
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1946 musical by Harold Arlen (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics)
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in the early 1930s. Gross wanted a musical for the talents of
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Scene I : A stable, early afternoon of a day in August.
466:"Cakewalk Your Lady" - Badfoot, Mississippi, and Ensemble
527:"Finale" ("Come Rain Or Come Shine") - Entire Company
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Scene 2: Biglow's bar, late afternoon, the same day.
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302:Scene 1: Augie's and Della's home, early evening.
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314:Scene 5: Street corner close to the race track.
280:Scene 4: A ballroom, evening of the same day.
277:Scene 3: Outside Barney's room, at twilight.
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497:"Funeral Scene/Leavin' Time" - Ensemble
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485:"Chinquapin Bush" - Children
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381:Jasper: Charles Welch
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521:"Racin' Form" - Leah
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