The Bunch and Judy

The Bunch and Judy

Sheet Music Cover
Music Jerome Kern
Lyrics Anne Caldwell
Book Anne Caldwell and Hugh Ford

The Bunch and Judy is a musical comedy in two acts with book by Anne Caldwell and R. H. Burnside, lyrics by Anne Caldwell, and music by Jerome Kern. The story centered on a Broadway starlet, who marries a Scottish nobleman, only to grow disenchanted and return to show business and the man she loves.

The show was produced by Charles Dillingham at the Globe Theater, and opened November 28, 1922.[1] The musical director was Victor Baravalle and the music was orchestrated by Stephan Jones and Victor Baravalle. The show was staged by Fred G. Latham. Scenic design by Frank E. Gates, and Edward A. Morange. Costume design by Wanamaker, Paul Poiret, and George Barber. It ran for 63 performances, closing on January 20, 1923.[2]

The cast was headlined by Fred Astaire (Gerald Lane), Adele Astaire (Judy Jordan), and Philip Tonge (Lord Kinlock).[2] The Astaire siblings played the romantic couple. Gerald Bordman reports that "Broadway’s critics were not bowled over. Although many headlines implied reviews would be raves, notices themselves were filled with qualifications. Most of the enthusiasm was reserved for the Astaires. When it came to Kern's score, the critics were generally unhappy".[3]

Synopsis

Act 1

Judy Jordan is leaving the cast of a Broadway show after 40 weeks, to marry Lord Kinlock, who is visiting America from Scotland. The cast gives Judy a farewell dinner on stage after the last performance.

Act 2

In Scotland, Judy is married to Kinlock, but unhappy because she is snubbed by the locals. The troupe is touring Europe. Angry at the Scots, Judy goes home with the troupe, returns to the stage and marries Gerald Lane, her former leading man.[1]

Songs

Act 1

  • “Silenzio”
  • “The Naughty Nobleman”
  • “Because You Love the Singer”
  • “Pale Venetian Moon”
  • “Hot Dog”
  • “Morning Glory”

Act 2

  • “Lovely Lassie”
  • “Every Day in Every Way”
  • “Times Square”
  • “Have You Forgotten Me”
  • “How Do You Do, Katinka?”
  • “Peach Girl”

References

  1. 1 2 Mantle, Burns (ed.) "The Best Plays of 1922–1923", Dodd, Mead & Company, p. 495.
  2. 1 2 The Bunch and Judy, Internet Broadway Database, accessed December 26, 2014
  3. ↑ Bordman, Gerald. “Jerome Kern: His Life and Music,” Oxford University Press, New York, 1980, p. 228.
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