Just got home from this wonderful show about the life and times of Mary Martin. It is a 95 minute romp through the life of one of Broadway's greatest leading ladies at the York Theater Company (YANK!). The cast of 4 is very good. Featuring songs from not only her hit shows and movies but also little known shows that closed out of town. I won't give away any of the funnier stuff, but this is a nice diversion from some of the over produced stuff on Broadway.
And given the people who wrote music and lyrics for Mary, it's unusual for an off-Broadway show to feature so many great songs. Rodgers & Hammerstein, Cole Poter and the folk who wrote the songs for "Peter Pan" may be the best known. But, Kurt Weill and Noel Coward also wrote songs for shows that Martin introduced on Broadway or London. Thanks to the people at the York, who I do not know, for doing this show!
Opening Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie Il Bacio Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love Mary Martin in Hollywood Swattin' the Fly I Shoulda Stood in Bed I'm a Stranger Here Myself Alice Is At It Again I Got Lost In His Arms A Cockeyed Optimist I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair Shapes Peter Pan The Lonely Goatherd (ONE OF MY FAVORITE SKITS IN THE SHOW) Before I Kiss the World Goodbye I Do! I Do! What Is A Woman Flaming Agnes Time Goes By My Heart Belongs To Daddy Finale
There are other songs intermixed in the opening and through out the show not listed in the program.
"I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy" from "South Pacific" and "That's Him" from "One Touch of Venus" were songs Martin sang till the very end of her life. Strange that they would be left out. I assume shapes is the fashion segment Martin did for the Ford 50th Anniversary Show in 1953. To be honest, it's difficult for me to get beyond the terrible review "Inventing Mary Martin" received in the Times.