Musicals Tonight to Stage Revival of Rodgers and Hart's AMERICA'S SWEETHEART, 4/1-13
By: Tyler Peterson Mar. 17, 2014
Musicals Tonight! continues to revive classic Broadway shows (this is our 80th) with Rodgers and Hart's America's Sweetheart from 1931.
The story: Michael (Michael Mahany) and Geraldine (Laurie Hymes), come to Hollywood from St. Paul, Minnesota, determined to be movie stars. Madge (Molly Pope) and Larry (Thom Caska) are a struggling acting couple who take the newcomers under their wing and try to create schemes that will make them all stars. French actress Denise Torel (Jennifer Evans) uses the femme fatale technique to become a star. Actresses Dorith (Tessa Faye) and Paula (Kate Marilley) stake their success on portraying sympathetic orphans. The studio executives headed by S. A. Dolan (Robin Haynes ) are particularly enamored by Gerry and she becomes "America's Sweetheart". However, once talking films are introduced, the situation changes. Gerry has a slight lisp, and Michael, with a superb speaking voice to go with his good looks, becomes the star. Of course, their professional ups and downs cloud their personal relationship but in the end love triumphs! Studio executives, stunt men, stage hands (Nicolas Baumgartner, Mick Bleyer, Nicholas Kuhn, Andrew McMath) and other actresses (Jenna Dallaco, Olivia Ercolano, Jojo Karlin) share in the highs and lows of Hollywood life in 1931.
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