TENDERLOIN Music by Jerry Bock: Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick: Book by George Abbot and Jerome Weidman. based on the novel Tenderloin by Samuel Hopkins Adams which in turn was loosely based on the attempts by the Reverend Parkhurst to clean up the old Tenderloin district near West 23rd Street. 46th Street Theatre, 17 October, 1960 (216 perfs) SYNOPSIS Set in New York at the turn of the 19th Century, Tenderloin recounts the efforts of a crusading minister as he attempts to shut down the notorious red-light district on the West-Side of Manhattan. This "gay nineties Guys and Dolls" features a sparkling score by creators of Fiddler on the Roof. The cast album, when it was released was on the Billboard charts for 34 weeks. Tenderloin is a vintage show that has the power to pack quite a punch. It is a big, rousing show with lots of dancing and colourful costumes. In the story the Reverend Brock would eradicate his era's corruption with the help of a handsome young newspaper reporter who is also a part-time singer at one of the area's roughest bars. Brock is unaware that Tommy, his supposed associate, is in league with a dishonest policeman, Lieutenant Schmidt. The two of them frame Brock with doctored photographs. However, in court Tommy, who has been converted to religion by a choir girl named Laura, admits the truth. A cleanup of the area begins. Brock doesn't remain to witness the change - he moves his campaign on to Detroit. Story It is the turn of the century in New York City’s infamous Tenderloin district where everyone’s livelihood depends on an economy of sin. The rich men pay the call girls. The call girls pay off the police. The police are in cahoots with Tommy Howatt, a slick and ambitious young reporter who will do anything to climb the ladder of success. But there’s one person who threatens to ruin it for everyone: the pious Reverend Brock, whose fervent crusade to shut down the Tenderloin has ignited a furor from the district’s resident sinners. Nita and her fellow call girls in particular can’t understand why this Reverend Brock can’t just keep his nose out of their “Little Old New York.” Tommy Howatt comes out of a Parish House arguing with Jessica the Parish clerk, who upon Brock’s strict orders, has denied him and interview with the Reverend. Along comes the beautiful society girl Laura Crosbie followed by her elegant young suitor Ellington Dupont Smythe the Second. When Tommy learns that Laura is a member of the church choir, he dupes Jessica into letting him enter the church by telling her that he would also like to sing in the choir. Inside the Parish House, Laura’s uncle Purdy, an elderly well-dressed businessman sits with the nouveau-riche country bumpkin Joe Kovack, who’s recently found coal on his farmland. Rev. Brock enters, and the two men hesitantly tell him that some of his parishioners don’t agree with his attack on the Tenderloin. Martin, the choirmaster joins them to deliver a similar plea on behalf of the ladies auxiliary, who would like Brock to give more traditional sermons. The men leave, and Brock sits alone frustrated that his church wishes to remain ignorant of the sin that surrounds them. He resolves that he must continue his crusade full force – every day of the week (“Dr. Brock”). Jessica escorts Tommy into the church. She goes to find Martin, leaving Tommy alone with Laura. He tries to schmooze her into getting him an interview with Brock. Copying Ellington, he introduces himself as Thomas Howatt – the Second. She’s on to his ploys, but seems a bit charmed despite herself. Jessica enters with Martin, who sizes Tommy up and determines he’s not fit for the church choir. Tommy, who
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