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Funny Face (musical)
Encyclopedia
Funny Face is a 1927 musical composed by George Gershwin
, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin
, and book by Fred Thompson
and Paul Gerard Smith.
Originally called Smarty, it starred Fred Astaire
and his sister Adele Astaire
. It opened in Philadelphia to poor reviews, and amidst major re-writes, critic-humorist Robert Benchley
, who had contributed to the script, walked out. Re-named Funny Face, it opened in New York, where it was a major hit. Then it transferred to London.
A new version of the show opened played Broadway's St. James Theatre
in 1983 as My One and Only
, and ran for a profitable 767 performances. A British film adaptation was made in 1936, called She Knew What She Wanted
. A 1957 Hollywood film of the same name stars Fred Astaire and uses four of the songs, but the plot is completely different.
and Audrey Hepburn
, the movie "Funny Face
" featured just four songs from the stage production, and the plot was radically different.
Act 2
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
, and book by Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson (writer)
Frederick A. Thompson, usually credited as Fred Thompson was an English writer, best known as a librettist for about fifty British and American musical comedies from World War I to World War II. Among the writers with whom he collaborated were George Grossmith Jr., P. G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton and...
and Paul Gerard Smith.
Originally called Smarty, it starred Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
and his sister Adele Astaire
Adele Astaire
Lady Charles Cavendish , better known as Adele Astaire, was an American dancer and entertainer. She was Fred Astaire's elder sister. Her birthdate was often given as 1897 or 1898, but the 1900 U.S...
. It opened in Philadelphia to poor reviews, and amidst major re-writes, critic-humorist Robert Benchley
Robert Benchley
Robert Charles Benchley was an American humorist best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor...
, who had contributed to the script, walked out. Re-named Funny Face, it opened in New York, where it was a major hit. Then it transferred to London.
A new version of the show opened played Broadway's St. James Theatre
St. James Theatre
The St. James Theatre is located at 246 W. 44th St. Broadway, New York City, New York. It was built by Abraham L. Erlanger, theatrical producer and a founding member of the Theatrical Syndicate, on the site of the original Sardi's restaurant. It opened in 1927 as The Erlanger...
in 1983 as My One and Only
My One and Only
My One and Only is a musical with a book by Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer and music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin.Written to incorporate classic Gershwin tunes from Funny Face and other popular shows into one evening of entertainment, the plot, set in 1927 America, revolves around Capt...
, and ran for a profitable 767 performances. A British film adaptation was made in 1936, called She Knew What She Wanted
She Knew What She Wanted
She Knew What She Wanted is a 1936 British musical comedy film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Albert Burdon, Claude Dampier and Googie Withers. An amoral young dancer falls in love with the bander leader.-Cast:* Albert Burdon - Dugsie...
. A 1957 Hollywood film of the same name stars Fred Astaire and uses four of the songs, but the plot is completely different.
Original Broadway production
The show opened at the Alvin Theatre on November 22, 1927, and ran for 244 performances. It was directed by Edgar MacGregor, with choreography by Bobby Connolly.Cast
- Fred AstaireFred AstaireFred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
as Jimmy Reeve - Adele AstaireAdele AstaireLady Charles Cavendish , better known as Adele Astaire, was an American dancer and entertainer. She was Fred Astaire's elder sister. Her birthdate was often given as 1897 or 1898, but the 1900 U.S...
as Frankie Wynn - William Kent as Dugsie Gibbs
- Victor MooreVictor MooreVictor Frederick Moore was an American actor of stage and screen, as well as a comedian, writer, and director.-Personal life:...
as Herbert - Allen Kearns as Peter Thurston
- Gertrude McDonald as June
- Betty ComptonBetty ComptonBetty Compton was a stage actress who married New York City mayor Jimmy Walker in 1933. She was born as Violet Halling Compton in Sandown, Isle of Wight....
as Dora - Earl Hampton as Chester
1957 film
Starring Fred AstaireFred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
and Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
, the movie "Funny Face
Funny Face
Funny Face is an American musical film released in 1957 in VistaVision Technicolor, with assorted songs by George and Ira Gershwin. The film was written by Leonard Gershe and directed by Stanley Donen. It stars Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Kay Thompson...
" featured just four songs from the stage production, and the plot was radically different.
Songs
Act 1- Birthday Party - Dora, June and Guests
- Once - Dugsie Gibbs, Dora and Ensemble
- Funny FaceFunny Face (song)"Funny Face" is a 1927 song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.It was the title song of Funny Face, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire, and his sister, Adele...
- Frankie and Jimmy Reeve - High Hat - Jimmy Reeve and Boys
- 'S Wonderful'S WonderfulS Wonderful" is a popular song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics written by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced in the Broadway musical Funny Face by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns....
- Frankie and Peter Thurston - Let's Kiss and Make UpLet's Kiss and Make Up"Let's Kiss and Make Up" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.It was introduced in their 1927 musical Funny Face by Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire.-Notable recordings:...
- Frankie, Jimmy Reeve and Ensemble - Come Along, Let's Gamble - Entire Company
Act 2
- In the Swim - Girls
- He Loves and She LovesHe Loves and She Loves"He Loves and She Loves" is a 1927 song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.It replaced "How Long Has This Been Going On?" in the Broadway musical Funny Face. It was introduced by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns...
- Frankie and Peter Thurston - Tell the Doc - Dugsie Gibbs and Girls
- My One and Only (What I Am Gonna Do?)My One and Only (song)"My One and Only" is a song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written for the 1927 musical Funny Face where it was introduced by Fred Astaire, Betty Compton and Gertrude McDonald...
- Jimmy Reeve, June, Dora and Girls - Sing a Little Song - Pianists, Ritz Quartette, and Boys
- My One and Only (What Am I Going to Do?) (Reprise) - Dora, June and Chorus
- The Babbitt and the Bromide - Frankie and Jimmy Reeve
