Show Girl (1929 musical)


Show Girl is a musical by William Anthony McGuire that ran from Jul 2, 1929 to Oct 5, 1929. The show tells the story of aspiring Broadway showgirl Dixie Dugan as she is pursued by four suitors. The music was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn.
The character of Dixie Dugan was created by J. P. McEvoy and was first introduced in Liberty before McEvoy published his 1928 novel Show Girl.
The Broadway production was produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, directed by McGuire, and choreographed by Bobby Connolly, with ballet sequences—including one set to An American in Paris—by Albertina Rasch. Duke Ellington conducted the orchestra. The show opened on July 2, 1929 at the Ziegfeld Theatre and ran for 111 performances. The cast included Ruby Keeler as Dixie, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Foy, Jr., Frank McHugh, and Nick Lucas.
Keeler's husband, Al Jolson, frequently sat in the audience and serenaded her with the show's closing number, "Liza," from his seat. The song was featured in the 1946 biopic The Jolson Story.
In 1929, Ruby had to withdraw due to illness and Dorothy Stone took over the role.
Warner Brothers filmed this musical as Show Girl, with Alice White as Dixie Dugan; a sequel, Show Girl in Hollywood was made with White again starring as Dixie.

Cast

Doris Carson - Raquel
Lew Clayton - Gypsy
Sadie Duff - Mrs. Dugan
Austin Fairman - John Milton
Eddie Foy, Jr. - Denny Kerrigan
Noel Francis - Peggy Ritz
Kathryn Hereford - Bobby
Ruby Keeler - Dixie Dugan
Nick Lucas - Rudy
Joseph Macauley - Alvarez Romano
Frank McHugh - Jimmy Doyle
Howard Morgan - Matt Brown
Barbara Newberry - "Sunshine' and "Virginia Witherby"
Matthew Smith - Captain Robert Adams

Song list

Act One
Act Two