Show Synopsis:
Throughout the many incarnations of this musical, the general story has remained the same: Billy Crocker loves Hope Harcourt, but their romance is complicated by her mother Evangeline, who wants Hope to marry Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. They all end up on a boat to London, along with a group of gangsters and entertainers, particularly the singer Reno Sweeney, and highjinks ensue. By the end of the voyage, Billy and Hope have married, as have Reno and Lord Evelyn.
Character:
Reno Sweeney, a sexy woman in her 30s who works as a nightclub singer; a former evangelist; very charismatic; in love with Billy but mostly would like a marriage with any decent man.
Song Context:
Reno is trying to bring an air of religion and evangelism to the ship to help her friend Moonshine, a gangster disguised as a reverend. As long as she entertains the ships' passengers, using her nightclub singing skills and flair, no one will notice that their actions have next to nothing to do with religious activities.
Fun Facts:
1. The character of Reno was based in part on the evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson.
2. Ethel Merman originated the role on Broadway and in the first film adaptation of the musical, and it was the first of five Cole Porter musicals she would star in.
3. Patti LuPone revived the role of Reno on Broadway in 1987, who described the score of the show to be "infectious" and "fantastic."
(spoken)
"Do you hear that playin'?
Do you know who's playin'?
(sung)
Well, it's Gabriel, Gabriel playin'!
Gabriel, Gabriel sayin'
""Will you be ready to go
When I blow my horn?""
Oh, blow, Gabriel, blow,
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
I've been a sinner, I've been a scamp,
But now I'm willin' to trim my lamp,
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
Oh, I was low, Gabriel, low,
Mighty low, Gabriel, low.
But now since I have seen the light,
I'm good by day and I'm good by night,
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
Once I was headed for hell,
Once I was headed for hell;
But when I got to Satan's door
I heard you blowin' on your horn once more,
So I said, ""Satan, farewell!""
And now I'm all ready to fly,
Yes, to fly higher and higher!
'Cause I've gone through brimstone
And I've been through the fire,
And I purged my soul
And my heart too,
So climb up the mountaintop
And start to blow, Gabriel, blow
Come on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
I want to join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land.
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
Come on you scamps, get up you sinners!
You're all too full of expensive dinners.
Stand up on your lazy feet and sing!
Blow, Gabriel, blow,
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow.
I've been a sinner, I've been a scamp,
But now I'm willin' to trim my lamp,
So blow, Gabriel, blow.
I was low, Gabriel, low,
Mighty low, Gabriel, low.
But now since that I have seen the light
I'm good by day and I'm good by night
So blow, Gabriel, blow.
Once I was headed for hell,
Once I was headed for hell;
But when I got to Satan's door
I heard you blowin' on your horn once more,
So I said, ""Satan, farewell!""
And now I'm all ready to fly,
Yes, to fly higher and higher!
'Cause I've gone through brimstone
And I've been through the fire,
And I purged my soul
And my heart too,
So climb up the mountaintop
And start to blow, Gabriel, blow
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
I want to join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land.
So blow, Gabriel!
Go on and
Blow, Gabriel, blow
Blow, Gabriel, blow
Blow, Gabriel, blow
I wanna join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land,
So blow, Gabriel, blow, Gabriel, blow, Gabriel, blow!"