Leave It to Me

A Musical Comedy in Two Acts
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Bella and Samuel Spewack, based on their play Clear All Wires (1932)
Original Title: First in the Hearts

Tryouts began October 13, 1938 at the Shubert Theatre, New Haven
October 17, 1938 at the Shubert Theatre, Boston

Opened November 9, 1938 at the Imperial Theatre, NYC
Closed July 15, 1939 (291 performances)
Return engagement began September 4, 1939 at the Imperial Theatre
Closed September 16, 1939 (16 performances)
Ran for a combined total of 307 performances
Note: the road tour production began on October 16, 1939
Produced by Vinton Freedley
Directed by Samuel Spewack
Choreography by Robert Alton
Costumes by Raoul Pene du Bois
Set Design by Albert Johnson
Orchestrations by Don Walker
Musical Direction by Max Meth

Synopsis

Bathtub manufacturer Alonzo P. Goodhue, socially and politically the best horseshoe pitcher in Topeka, Kansas, is appointed U.S. Ambassador to Russia, largely through the manueverings of his ambitious wife.  An envious J. H. Brody, publisher of the Paris and Chicago World-Tribune, orders his best correspondent, Buckley Thomas, to see that Goodhue is disgraced and recalled.  As it turns out, the unassuming Goodhue is himself anxious to be shipped home, and so he and Thomas join forces.  Goodhue delivers an antagonistic speech, kicks the German Ambassador in the belly, and atttempts to assassinate a Prince -- and in each case he is proclaimed a hero.  Finally, Thomas, realizing that only good deeds go unrewarded, has Goodhue deliver an optimistic speech expressing hope for a unified world.  Goodhue is promptly recalled.  Other characters include Colette, Thomas' old flame, and Dolly, an incorrigible flirt.

Cast

William Gaxton (Buckley J. "Buck" Thomas)
Victor Moore (Alonzo "Stinky" Goodhue)
Sophie Tucker (Mrs. Goodhue)
Tamara (Colette)
Mary Martin (Dollly Winslow)
Gene Kelly (Mr. Goodhue's Secretary)
April (Goodhue's Daughter)

Alexander Asro (Sozanoff), Adele Jergens, Joseph Kallini (Kostya), George E. Mack (Photographer / Ambassador), Kay Picture (Goodhue's Daughter), Edward H. Robins (J. H. Broady), Walter Armin (French Conductor / Ambassador / Stalin), and George Tobias (Prince Alexander Tomofsky)

Musical Numbers

Act One

• Overture - Orchestra
• "How Do You Spell Ambassador?" - Reporters
• "We Drink to You, J. H. Brody" - Buck and Ensemble
• "Vite, Vite, Vite" - Ensemble
• "I'm Taking the Steps to Russia" - Mrs. Goodhue
• "Get Out of Town" - Colette
• "When All's Said and Done" - Buck, Dolly and Ensemble
• "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love" - Mrs. Goodhue [written for Greek to You]
• "Comrade Alonzo" - Ensemble

Act Two

• Entr'acte - Orchestra
• "Thank You" - Buck and Ensemble
• "Recall Goodhue" - Ensemble [may have been dropped before the Braodway production]
• "From Now On" - Buck and Colette
• "I Want to Go Home" - Goodhue
• "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" - Dolly
• "Tomorrow" - Mrs. Goodhue and Ensemble
• "Far Away" - Buck and Colette
• "To the U.S.A. from the U.S.S.R." - Mr. and Mrs. Goodhue

Cut Songs

• "When the Hen Stops Laying" - Buck and Dolly [dropped in Boston and replaced by "When All's Said and Done"]
• "Just Another Page in Your Diary" [unused]
• "Information, Please" [unused]
• "There's a Fan" [unused]
• "As Long As It's Not About Love" [unused]
• "Wild Wedding Bells" [unused; originally written for Greek to You]
• "Why Can't I Forget You" [unused]

Original Cast Recordings

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" / "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love" - Mary Martin with Eddy Duchin's Orchestra

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Brunswick 8282] A-side charted on January 7, 1939; peaked at #9

Contemporaneous Recordings

"Get Out of Town" / "From Now On"- Eddy Duchin and His Orchestra

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Brunswick 8252] A-side charted on January 7, 1939; peaked at #7 / B-side charted on December 10, 1938; peaked at #8

"Get Out of Town" / "From Now On"- Les Brown

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Bluebird B-10009]

"Get Out of Town" / "From Now On"- Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Victor 26080]

"Get Out of Town" / "From Now On"- Frances Langford

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Decca 2229]

"Get Out of Town" / "From Now On" - Ruby Newman and His Orchestra

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Decca 2192]

"Get Out of Town" / "From Now On" - Lawrence Welk

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Vocalion 4512]

"Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love" / "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" - Jack Hylton and His Orchestra [vocal: Pat Kirkwood]

• 78 RPM, 1938 [HMV BD-785]

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" / "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love" - Larry Clinton and His Orchestra [vocal: Bea Wain]

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Victor 26100] Charted on January 7, 1939; peaked at #4

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" - Eddie DeLange and His Orchestra

• 78 RPM, 1938 [Bluebird B-10080]

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" - Valaida

• 78 RPM, 1939 [Sonora 3557]

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" - Count Basie

• 78 RPM, 1939 [Decca 2249]

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" - Chick Webb

• 78 RPM, 1939 [Decca 2309]

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