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SWINGIN' ON A STAR

(THE JOHNNY BURKE MUSICAL)

A musical revue in 2 acts, 7 scenes; Book by Michael Leeds, based on the songs of Johnny Burke. Lyrics by Johnny Burke. Music by Johnny Burke, Erroll Garner, Robert Haggart, Arthur Johnston, James Monaco, Harold Spina and Jimmy Van Heusen. Written and directed by Michael Leeds. Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall.

Music Box Theatre October 22, 1995 - (97 perfs)

Synopsis

The fabulous songs of Johnny Burke are here perfectly woven into various settings and scenes as if they always belonged there. We move from a smoky 1920s Chicago Speakeasy, where we hear such songs as "Dr. Rhythm" and "What's New" to the Bowery for the classic "Pennies From Heaven and others. The ever popular "Your Hit Parade" takes us into the 1930s, segueing into a World War II USO show for several songs including "Personality" and culminating with the Academy Award Winning "Swinging on a Star." The journey continues to a glittering ballroom for the immortal "Imagination" and then takes us into the world of Paramount's Hope/Crosby/Lamour Road Movies and the songs they made famous. The evening ends in the Starlight Supperclub, high atop Manhattan, with a celebration of Burkes genius.

Cast: 3 men, 4 women

Scenes and settings

Act 1

Scene 1: Speakeasy, Chicago
Scene 2: Depression, the Bowary
Scene 3: Radio Show, New York City
Scene 4: USO Show, the Pacific Islands

Act 2

Scene 1: Ballroom, Hotel Roosevelt, Akron, Ohio
Scene 2: Road to Paramount Studios, Hollywood
Scene 3: Supper Club, the Present

Musical Numbers:

ACT 1 Scene 1

• "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew" (Music by Harold Spina.)
• "Chicago Style" (from the film Road to Bali) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Ain't It a Shame About Mame" (from the film Rhythm on the River) (Music by James Monaco.)
• "What's New" (Music by Robert Haggart.)
• "Doctor Rhythm" (dropped from the film Doctor Rhythm) (Music by James Monaco.) The Waiter: Mame: Escort: Cleo: Jeannie: Flora: Ben:

Scene 2

• "Pennies from Heaven" (from the film Pennies From Heaven) (Music by Arthur Johnston.)
• "When Stanislaus Got Married" (from the film And the Angels Sing) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "His Rocking Horse Ran Away" (from the fim And the Angels Sing) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (Music by Harold Spina. Lyrics by Joe Young, Johnny Burke.) The Homeless Man: The Street People: The Polish Gentleman: The Housewife: The Suitors

Scene 3

• "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (reprise)
• "Scatterbrain" (from the film Scatterbrain) (Music by Keene Bean, Frankie Masters.)
• "One, Two, Button Your Shoe" (from the film Pennies From Heaven) (Music by Arthur Johnston.)
• "Whoopsie Daisy Day" (Music by Johnny Burke.)
• "What Does It Take To Make You Take to Me?" (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Irresistible" (Music by Harold Spina.)
• "An Apple for the Teacher" (from the film The Star Maker) (Music by Arthur Johnston.) The Burkettes: The Announcer: Buddy: Betty: Vicky Voyay

Scene 4

• "Thank Your Lucky Stars and Stripes" (from the film Playmates) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Personality" (from the film Road to Utopia) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "There's Always the Blues" (Music by Joe Bushkin.)
• "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Swinging on a Star" (from the film Going My Way) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "(Thank Your Lucky) Stars and Stripes" (reprise) Don Carter: Buzz Albright: Miss South Dakota: Miss North Carolina: Miss Rhiengold: Lena George: Eddie:

ACT 2 Scene 1

• "Don't Let That Moon Get Away" (from the film Sing You Sinners) (Music by James Monaco.)
• "All You Want to Do Is Dance"(from the film Double for Nothing) (Music by Arthur Johnston.)
• "You Danced with Dynamite" (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Imagination" (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "It Could Happen to You" (from the fim And the Angels Sing) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.) The Manager: The Coat Check Girl: The Waiter: The Vocalist: The Man: The Date: The Woman Alone:

Scene 2

• "Apalachicola" (from the film Road to Rio) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "You Don't Have to Know the Language" (from the film Road to Rio) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Going My Way" (from the film Going My Way) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Shadows on the Swanee" (Music by Harold Spina. Lyrics by Joe Young, Johnny Burke.)
• "Rhythm on the River" (from the film Rhythm on the River) (Music by James Monaco.)
• "Road to Morocco" (from ROAD TO MOROCCO film) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.) Assistant Director: Bing: Bob: Dorothy: Girls: Southern Woman:

Scene 3

• "But, Beautiful" (from the film Road to Rio) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Moonlight Becomes You" (from the film Road to Morocco) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Sunday, Monday or Always" (from the film Dixie) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Misty" (Music by Erroll Garner.)
• "Here's That Rainy Day" (from Carnival in Flanders) (Music by Jimmy Van Heusen.)
• "Pennies from Heaven" (reprise)
• "Swinging on a Star" (reprise)

Instrumentation:

Piano/Conductor, Synthesizer, Bass, Saxophone, Trumpet, Drums/Percussion