42nd Street is a 1980 stage musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin and Johnny Mercer and music by Harry Warren.
Based on the 1932 novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 Hollywood film adaptation, this backstage musical follows the rehearsal process of a Broadway show staged during the height of the Great Depression.
PLOT
In New York City in 1933, dance director Andy Lee is auditioning kids for the chorus of a new show called Pretty Lady (“Audition”). The show’s writers, Bert and Maggie, are pleased with what they see on stage, but they warn the dancers that at $4.40 per seat, the audience will demand some spectacular dancing. Young hopeful Peggy Sawyer just misses the audition, but Billy – the show’s romantic lead – helps her see the producer (“Young and Healthy”).
The producer, Julian Marsh, has no patience for latecomers, and Peggy rushes off the stage. Julian tells Bert and Maggie he’s worried about some of the cast, especially Dorothy Brock, the leading lady. Her last hit was ten years earlier, but her sugar daddy, Abner Dillon, is backing the show. Just then Dorothy and Abner arrive, and Julian suggests that Dorothy audition. Abner defends Dorothy and reminds Julian that Dorothy does not have to try out for anyone (“Shadow Waltz”).
Realizing she has forgotten her purse, Peggy returns to the stage. Maggie invites her to lunch with three of the girls, and the five women dance off stage. As they settle in at the Gypsy Tea Kettle, the girls are astonished by Peggy’s naïveté. They amusingly explain the Broadway facts of life, and dance back to the theater (“Go into Your Dance”). The number evolves into an audition for Peggy, who impresses Julian and lands a job in the chorus.
Dorothy and Billy begin rehearsing their big love scene. Abner objects to their kissing and insists they shake hands instead (“You’re Getting to be a Habit With Me”). Peggy, weak and overcome by an exciting day, faints on stage. She is carried to Dorothy’s dressing room, where Pat Denning, Dorothy’s real boyfriend, is waiting. Dorothy walks in, and misreading what she sees, thinks that Pat is two-timing her. Julian suggests that Pat leave town.
The company packs up for previews in Philadelphia (“Getting Out of Town”), and dress rehearsals begin (“Dames”). After rehearsal, Peggy invites Julian to join her at an impromptu cast party. Captivated by her charm, Julian decides to go. Dorothy, who misses Pat, drinks a bit too much, and tells Abner to take his money and leave. Abner is ready to close the show, but the kids talk him out of it. Pretty Lady opens spectacularly with “We’re In the Money.” But when Dorothy rushes onstage for the Act I finale, she is accidentally knocked down by Peggy and can’t get up. Julian, furious, fires Peggy and cancels the rest of the performance.
Act II opens with a doctor telling Julian that Dorothy’s ankle is broken. Julian says he will close Pretty Lady for good, but the cast won’t give up (“Sunny Side to Every Situation”). The cast thinks that Peggy can save the day, and Julian finally agrees. Peggy has already left for the train station, so Julian rushes after her. Telling her to “think of musical comedy, the most glorious words in the English language,” Julian convinces Peggy to return (“Lullabye of Broadway”).
Peggy has exactly 36 hours to learn 25 pages, 6 songs, and 10 dance numbers. As Julian says, by the next evening, he’ll have “either a live leading lady or a dead chorus girl!” At long last, the Broadway curtain opens on Pretty Lady (“Shuffle Off to Buffalo”). The show is a spectacular hit, and Peggy Sawyer is a sudden sensation. Julian leads the entire company in celebrating the glory of “42ND STREET.”
CHARACTERS
Peggy Sawyer – Nervous but enthusiastic new chorus girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania
Billy Lawlor – Leading tenor in Pretty Lady
Dorothy Brock – Past her prime Prima Donna, renowned for inability to dance
Julian Marsh – Famous, but notorious, director
Maggie Jones – Co-writer and producer of Pretty Lady
Bert Barry – Co-writer and producer of Pretty Lady
Andy Lee – Choreographer of Pretty Lady
Pat Denning – Dorothy's former vaudeville partner and romantic interest
Abner Dillon – Producer of Pretty Lady and Dorothy's "Sugar Daddy"
Mac – Stage Manager of Pretty Lady
Ann “Anytime Annie” Reilly, Lorraine Flemming, Phyllis Dale, and Gladys – Experienced chorus girls who help Peggy
Oscar – Onstage rehearsal pianist for the show Pretty Lady
ABOUT
Season 47 Episode 6 of PBS "Great Performances" (November 1st, 2019). Recorded for broadcast at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. AI enhanced to full HD 1080p as well as color correction and audio sweetening