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Mr. President

OBC Record Sleeve

Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin. Book by Howard Linsay and Russel Crouse

St James Theatre, Broadway - October 20, 1962 (265 perfs)

Synopsis

For his final Broadway score, Irving Berlin went to the top - the office of the President of the United States. President Stephen Decatur Henderson is en route to Russia when the Soviet tour is cancelled. Although a breach of protocol, he determines to land in Moscow nonetheless and the resulting humiliation costs his his re-election. He yearns to return to political life but when the offer of a senate seat comes with conditions attached, he turns it down. His love of country is primary though, and eventually he proudly returns to government at the behest of the new President.

Musical Numbers:

  1. Prologue - Theatre Manager
  2. Let's Go Back To the Waltz - Nell & ensemble
  3. In Our Hide-Away - Steve and Nell
  4. The First Lady - Nell
  5. Meat and Potatoes - Pat Gregory & Charley Wayne
  6. I've Got To Be Around - Pat Gregory
  7. The Secret Service - Leslie
  8. It Gets Lonely In the Whitehouse - Steve
  9. Is He the Only Man In the World? - Nell & Leslie
  10. They Love Me - Nell & ensemble
  11. Pigtails and Freckles- Pat & Leslie
  12. Don't Be Afraid Of Romance - Youssein
  13. Laugh It Up - Nell, Steve, Leslie & Larry
  14. Empty Pockets Filled With Love - Pat and Leslie
  15. Glad To Be Home - Nell and ensemble
  16. You Need A Hobby - Steve and Nell
  17. The Washington Twist - Leslie
  18. The Only Dance I Know - Princess Kyra and dancers
  19. I'm Gonna Get Him - Nell and Leslie
  20. This Is A Great Country - Steve & Company

Cast:

3 men, 3 women, 1 featured Belly Dancer, chorus.

President Stephen Decatur Henderson (Steve) - actor who sings and dances
Nell Henderson- good character woman for light comic role, sings and dances
Leslie Henderson- Cute young actress who sings and dances
Pat Gregory- actor with good voice, minor dance
Youssein Davair- mostly straight role, sings 1 number.

Dual singing and dancing chorus.

Total cast 35 - 50

Scenes and sets

ACT I

Prologue
Scene 1: Oval Room, White House
Scene 2: Private sitting room
Scene 3: Lawn Party in Chevy Chase
Scene 4: President's Bedroom
Scene 5: President's Office
Scene 6: The Trip
Scene 7: President's 'Plane
Scene 8: Street in Middle East
Scene 9: Youssein's apartment
Scene 10: President's 'Plane
Scene 11: Airfield
Scene 12: Television studio
Scene 13: Private sitting room
Scene 14: Office In White House
Scene 15: President's Office

ACT II

Scene 1: Street in Mansfield
Scene 2: Living Room of the Henderson Home
Scene 3: Anteroom in the White House
Scene 4: Judging Pavilion of the Tioga County Fair
Scene 5: Middle of the Fair
Scene 6: Another part of the fair
Scene 7: Living Room, Henderson Home

Instrumentation.

Reed I (piccolo, flute, clarinet, alto sax), Reed II (clarinet, alto sax), Reed III (clarinet, alto sax), Reed IV (clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax), 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, percussion, piano db Celeste, harp, guitar, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass.

Discography:

Original Cast Recording starring Robert Ryan & Nanette Fabray - Sony Broadway SK 48212