Show Synopsis: Phil Dolan spent his childhood dancing onstage with his parents but now teaches music at Knickerbocker University. His student Sidney Cohn, the composer of a jazz ballet, finds out about his past and offers to introduce him to Peggy, the manager of the Russian Ballet. Phil begins to have feelings with Vera, the star of the Russian Ballet with an unfaithful lover and co-star, Morrosine, which makes his student Frankie very jealous. Phil has to go on for the lead in the Russian Ballet production, and though he flubs a lot of it, the audience thinks it?s hilarious and fun. Frankie is upset because Phil takes Vera to lunch to discuss the ballet. Peggy blackmails the company director to produce the jazz ballet. Phil becomes the star of the show when Morrosine gets knocked out by the director, so Morrosine and his friend Louie plan to kill Phil. Phil finds out and gets the conductor to keep playing, and he keeps dancing until the police catch Morrosine and Louie. Frankie shows her feelings for Phil, whose parents were in the audience to cheer him on. Character: Frankie Frayne, a sweet, smart, and talented Knickerbocker University music student and Phil Dolan III, an energetic young man with a love for performing; eager to please. Fun Facts: 1) This musical was the first time a Broadway musical had combined classical dance and a jazz score. 2) The role of Phil was originally written for Fred Astaire to perform in a film version, but he turned it down. 3) This musical was the first time that Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart had a large amount of input into the book of one of their musicals.
"I love your eyes, But I wouldn?t know the color Aquamarine or emerald green And if you hair couldn?t possible be duller The shade I see looks good to me. That?s how naive I?m known to be. Maybe it?s got be love It couldn?t be tonsillitis It feels like neuritis , But nevertheless it?s love. Don?t tell me the pickles And pie a la mode You serve me unnerve me And made my heart a broken down pump. It?s gotta be love. It isn?t the morning after That makes every rafter Go spinning above. I?m sure that it?s fatal Or why do I get that sinking feeling? I think that I?m dead But nevertheless it?s only love. It?s gotta be love. It coulda been fallen arches Or two many starches, But nevertheless it?s love. Don?t tell me the lamp in the barbershop Gave me sunstroke. With one stroke, You made me feel like yesterday?s hash. It?s gotta be love. It couldn?t be indigestion. Beyond any question, I?m fluttery as a dove. I?ve heard people say It?s no worse than a cold But oh, that fever! I?m burnt to a crisp But nevertheless, it?s only love."