Composer

:

George Gershwin

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Show Tune

Compose Date

:

1927

Average_duration

:

2:42

My One and Only is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and a book by Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer. The musical is based on the 1927 play Funny Face by Fred Thompson and Paul Girard Smith. The plot revolves around Captain Billy Buck Chandler, a former World War I aviator who sets out to find a wealthy woman to marry in order to fund his dream of starting an airline. The musical was composed in 1983, using previously unpublished Gershwin songs, and premiered on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on May 1, 1983. The production was directed and choreographed by Tommy Tune, and starred Tune and Twiggy as Billy and Edythe Herbert, respectively. The musical features several memorable songs, including "Funny Face," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," " 'S Wonderful," and "My One and Only." The music is characterized by its jazzy rhythms, catchy melodies, and clever lyrics, which reflect the Gershwins' unique blend of classical and popular music. The musical is divided into two acts, each with several scenes and musical numbers. Act One opens with Billy performing a song and dance number, "Kicking the Clouds Away," in which he expresses his desire to find a wealthy woman to marry. He meets Edythe Herbert, a glamorous socialite, and they embark on a whirlwind romance that takes them from New York to Paris. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including a group of chorus girls, a French cab driver, and a wealthy oil tycoon. Billy and Edythe's relationship is tested when they discover that they have different priorities and values, but they ultimately realize that they are meant to be together. Act Two opens with a rousing production number, "Strike Up the Band," in which Billy and Edythe lead a group of musicians and dancers in a patriotic tribute to America. The rest of the act follows Billy's efforts to start his airline, which involves a series of comic mishaps and misunderstandings. The musical concludes with a romantic duet between Billy and Edythe, "My One and Only," in which they reaffirm their love for each other. The production received positive reviews and was nominated for several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Choreography. It ran for 767 performances before closing on March 3, 1985.

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