Hazel Flagg
A Musical Satire in Two Acts, 15 Scenes. Book by Ben Hecht. Based on the story Letter to the Editor by James Street and the film Nothing Sacred by Ben Hecht, (Ring Lardner, Jr.). Music by Jule Styne. Lyrics by Bob Hilliard.
Dances and musical numbers staged by Robert Alton. Book directed by David Alexander. Scenery and lighting by Harry Horner. Costumes by Miles White. Musical director, Pembroke Davenport. Choral arrangements and direction by Hugh Martin. Orchestrations by Don Walker. Ballet arrangements by Oscar Kosarin. Entire production under the supervision of Robert Alton.
Produced by Jule Styne in association with Anthony Brady Farrell.
Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York: 11 February, 1953 - 4 July 1953; re-opened 7 September 1953 - 19 September, 1953. Total 190 performances.
Synopsis
Hazel is a backwater Vermont girl who is believed to be dying of radium poisoning. A magazine gets hold of her story and brings her to New York, where she is the centre of attention. She finds time to fall in love with sophisticated Wallace Cook. When it is learned that she is really in the pink of health New York loses interest, but Wallace loves her all the same.CAST (in order of appearance):
- An Editor: Dean Campbell.
- Oleander: Jonathan Harris.
- Laura Carew: BENAY VENUTA.
- Wallace Cook: JOHN HOWARD.
- Vermont Villagers: Carol Hendricks, B. J. Keating, Joan Morton, Dorothy Love, Laurel Shelby. Mr. Billings: Lawrence Weber. Mr. Jenkins: Robert Lenn.
- Hazel Flagg: HELEN GALLAGHER.
- Dr. Downer: THOMAS MITCHELL.
- Man on the Street: George Reeder.
- Bellboy: Jerry Craig.
- Maximilian Lavian: John Pelletti.
- Fireman: Bill Heyer.
- Miss Winterbottom: Betsy Holland.
- Mayor of New York: JACK WHITING.
- Whitey: SHEREE NORTH.
- Willie: John Brascia.
- Dr. Egelhofer: Ross Martin.
- Chorus Girls: Lori Jon, Virginia Poe.
- Committeemen: Michael Spaeth, John Bartis.
- Policeman: Eric Schepard.
- Dancers: Estelle Aza, Chris Carter, Marcella Dodge, Lillian Donau, Anna Friedland, Ruby Herndon, Lori Jon, Sherry McCutcheon, Betty McMillen, Barbara Michaels, Judy Miller, Joan Morton, Margot Meyers, Virginia Poe, Eva Ralf, Beryl Towbin, Toni Wheelis, Christopher Brown, Ronald Cecill, Don Crichton, Al Craine, Hugh Lambert, Gerard Leavitt, George Reeder, Eric Schepard, Michael Spaeth.
- Singers: Sara Dillon, Mary Harmon, Carol Hendricks, Betsy Holland, Dorsie Hollingsworth, B. J. Keating, Beverly McFadden, Laurel Shelby, John Bartis, Dean Campbell, David Carter, Jerry Craig, Bob Davis, Bill Heyer, Robert Lenn, David Randall.
Musical Numbers
- A Little More Heart - Laura Carew, Wallace Cook, Magazine Staff
- The World Is Beautiful Today - (Replaced by 'My Wild Imagination')
- Hazel Flagg
- I'm Glad I'm Leaving - Hazel Flagg
- The Rutland Bounce (Dance) - Dancers & Villagers
- Hello, Hazel - Laura Carew, New Yorkers
- Paris Gown (Ballet) - Hazel Flagg, Dancers, Models, Attendants
- Money Burns a Hole in My Pocket - Wallace Cook
- The World Is Beautiful Today (reprise) (replaced by 'Make the People
Cry') - Wallace Cook, Editors
- Every Street's a Boulevard in Old New York - Mayor of New York
- How Do You Speak to an Angel? - Wallace Cook
- Autograph Chant - Autograph Hunters
- I Feel Like I'm Gonna Live Forever - Hazel Flagg
- You're Gonna Dance With Me, Willie - Hazel Flagg, Willie, Company
- Who Is the Bravest? - University Glee Club
- Dream Parade (Ballet) - Hazel Flagg, Company
- Salome - Dancing Girls, with Salome: Cowboy Singer: Cowboy Dancers
- Everybody Loves To Take a Bow - Laura Carew, Mayor of New York,
Men
- Something in the Wind - Wallace
- Laura De Maupassant - Hazel Flagg
- Autograph Chant - (reprise) - Autograph Hunters
- I Feel Like I'm Gonna Live Forever (reprise) - Company
- How Do You Speak to an Angel? - Wallace Cook
Scenes and Settings
Act 1
Scene 1: Conference Room of Everywhere Magazine. Late afternoon, 1930s.
Scene 2: Dr. Downer's House. The next day.
Scene 3: Railroad Depot, Stonyhead. That evening.
Scene 4: A New York Street. The next day.
Scene 5: Hazel's New York Hotel Suite. Later that day.
Scene 6: Laura Carew's Office. Two weeks later.
Scene 7: Hazel's Hotel Suite. Evening. A week later.
Scene 8: (a) A Cross Section of New York City. Later that evening. (b) Roseland Ballroom.
Act 2
Scene 1: A Radio Station in the Hotel. The next morning.
Scene 2: Hazel's Hotel Bedroom. The same morning.
Scene 3: The same. Several hours later.
Scene 4: The Mayor's Luncheon. That afternoon.
Scene 5: Under the East River Bridge. Later that evening.
Scene 6: A Barge on the River's edge. A little later.
Scene 7: Finale.