A SWELL PARTY
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Story
A Swell Party is a celebration of the life of Cole Porter through words and music.
The show attempts to re-create the spirit of Cole, his life and works. He is portrayed, not as the old man crippled by a terrible riding accident, but as the young, vibrant image of sophistication and glamour which he and his music represented for so long to so many people.
During the first act we travel back in time to his childhood years and the early struggles to perfect his art, climaxing with an unbroken string of great songs composed during his most successful early period. The terrible accident which was to cripple him for the rest of his life is only hinted at and the first Act ends with Cole riding on the wave of his success.
Act two momentarily recounts the events surrounding his accident and his struggle to maintain his lifestyle in its aftermath. Inevitably his work suffers due to his loss of energy and the constant pain he has to endure. But this show is not about his pain but about his genius and indomitable spirit. With a new generation of composers and lyricists snatching the laurel wreath from him, Cole fights back and his reward is his great stage and film successes, namely "Kiss Me Kate" and "High Society".
The final song presented in the evening's entertainment is "Wouldn't It Be Fun Not To Be Famous", however, the audience will have no doubt that despite the painful latter years, Cole enjoyed his life to its full.
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
2 Male Lead
2 Female Lead
1 Male Singing Pianist
1 Non-Singing Pianist
PRINCIPAL MUSICAL NUMBERS
I Get A Kick Out Of You (male solo)
Anything Goes (male solo)
Red, Hot And Blue (female solo)
I've Got You Under My Skin (male solo)
Night And Day (female solo)
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye (male & female duet)
Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love (Company)
Well Did You Evah! (Company)
You're The Top (Company)
INSTRUMENTAL
2 Pianos