Golden Boy has a book by Clifford Odets and William Gibson, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse. It opened at the Majestic Theatre, 20 October 1964 (and ran for 569 performances). It is based on the 1937 play of the same name by Odets, and tells of Joe Wellington (Sammy Davis, Jr), a young man from Harlem who, despite his family's objections, turns to prizefighting as a means of escaping his ghetto roots and finding fame and fortune. He crosses paths with a Mephistopheles-like promoter and eventually betrays his manager when he becomes romantically involved with the latter's girlfriend. Songs: This is the Life, Don't Forget 127th Street, I Want to Be with You, While the City Sleeps
Babes in Arms has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and a book by Rodgers and Hart as well. It concerns a group of small-town teenagers who put on a show to avoid being sent to a work farm by the town sheriff when their actor parents go on the road for five months. Babes in Arms opened at the Shubert Theatre on April 14, 1937 (later transferring to the Majestic) and ran for 289 performances. The production was choreographed by George Balanchine. And starred Mitzi Green, Ray Heatherton, and Alfred Drake, as well as the Nicholas Brothers. The film version stared Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, and was directed by Busby Berkeley. Songs: Where or When; My Funny Valentine; The Lady Is a Tramp; Johnny One Note and I Wish I Were in Love Again Out of This World has music & lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Dwight Taylor & Reginald Lawrence. It was "staged" by Agnes De Mille with "additional direction" by George Abbott. It opened at the New Century Theatre 21 December, 1950 (and ran for 157 performances). The Roman gods Mercury and Jupiter are in search of some entertainment of the human kind. The focus of their attention is a young bride, Helen and her husband, Art. Mercury joins the two on their trip to Athens, intending to put himself between the blushing newlyweds. While the men are busy chasing Helen, the goddess Juno (Jupiter's wife) is playing games of her own with inept gangster Nikki as her reluctant sidekick. Songs: Use Your Imagination, I Am Loved, Cherry Pies Ought to Be You, What Do You Think About Men?
