SAN FRANCISCO (20 August 1997) -- 42nd St. Moon, dedicated to the revival of lost musicals, will perform a smash hit from its 1994 season (original press release here), SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS, in concert version October 2 - 19 (preview October 1). The show will also be recorded as the debut CD in 42nd St. Moon's new Lost Musical Recordings Series, created in response to audience demand for the music. Written by Cole Porter in 1943, with a book by Dorothy and Herbert Fields, SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS is a sharp and snappy musical in which three brassy "New Yawk" cousins tackle Texas and turn the U.S. Army on its ear. SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS, with stage direction by Greg MacKellan and musical direction by Scrumbly Koldewyn, is the fifth of six shows in 42nd St. Moon's 1997 tribute to the great Lyricist-Composers and will play at New Conservatory Theatre Center, San Francisco: tickets may be purchased by calling 415/861-8972.

In the sassy musical, three cousins from New York -- machinist Blossom, con man Harry, and revue singer Chiquita (played by Meg Mackay, Steven Patterson and Lesley Hamilton) -- inherit a plantation called Magnolia Manor deep in the heart of Texas. On their arrival, however, they discover that their piece of Southern charm is knee-deep in taxes, termites, and troubles. Sgt. Rocky Fulton (Steven Rhyne) from the nearby Army base offers to help convert the manor into a hotel for Army wives, and to pay bills until its opening, the Hart cousins decide to -- what else? -- put on a show. Liberally strewn throughout this musical are complications romantic, military, and just plain absurd -- such as Blossom finding herself able to pick up radio transmissions through her fillings -- which add up to a lighthearted theatre experience.

The Lost Musical Recording Series is a new series of soundtracks featuring 42nd St. Moon casts, beginning with SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS in October. The series was inspired by the large numbers of audience members who approached 42nd St. Moon after performances, looking for recordings of the lost scores. The debut CD, featuring Cole Porter's score and such classic songs as "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Leader of a Big-Time Band," and "Something for the Boys," is scheduled to be on store shelves by Thanksgiving.

Originally titled JENNIE GET YOUR GUN, SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS premiered at Broadway's Alvin Theatre on January 7, 1943 with Ethel Merman as Blossom Hart. Dorothy Fields originally brought the idea for the show to Merman while she was in the hospital for the birth of her first child; Fields then convinced Porter to write the score. Frequently criticized for writing 'overly sophisticated' shows, Porter wrote this show for "the common man." This was Merman's fifth and final Porter musical in a collaboration that began with ANYTHING GOES in 1934. Merman and Fields went on to do Irving Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (obviously the revision of the previously discarded title). In 1944, SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS was made into a film starring Carmen Miranda and Vivian Blaine, which was as well-received as the musical but still could not stop the piece from sliding into obscurity until its rescue by 42nd St. Moon and other musical preservation societies.

42nd St. Moon's first production of this sassy romp was called "charming" by the San Francisco Chronicle and "stylish" by The San Jose Mercury News; and was given four stars and called "a revived gem" by The San Mateo County Times. This season's concert version of the musical reunites much of the same cast, with Meg Mackay once again taking the role of Blossom. Also returning is Lesley Hamilton as Chiquita Hart. The delightful cast also includes Steven Rhyne as Sgt. Rocky Fulton, Steven Patterson as Harry Hart, and the talents of Stephanie Rhoads, Dyan McBride, Elisa Camahort (as the Banner sisters who narrate the piece), Kim Larsen, Bill Fahrner and Mike Dederian.

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