A New Girl in Town (Musical)

A New Girl in Town was a musical from a book by George Abbott, which was based on Eugene O'Neill's play "Anna Christie". The music was written by Bob Merrill. The musical tells a story of Anna, a prostitute, after she returns to live with her father who is unaware of her lifestyle, her love for a sailor, and the results on their finding out. It was set in New York City at the turn of the 19th century. Eugene ONeill Eugene Gladstone ONeill (New York City, October 16, 1888 – November 27, 1953 in Boston) was an American playwright. ... Bob (Robert) Merrill (born Henry Lavan May 17, 1921? or ? 1923?- February 17, 1998) was an American composer and lyricist. ...

Anna was played by Gwen Verdon, her father by Chris Christopherson, the sailor by George Wallace. Thelma Ritter played the part of Marthy, an unsavory friend of her father. The music, although well received, did not catch on, with the exception of "Flings", a light song, later recorded by Carol Burnett & Martha Raye. This was probably due to the lyrics "Flings are meant to be flung ..../As a girl, you start seethin'/Over guys just finished teethin'/Now, if they're alive & breathin'/That's enough". Gwen Verdon (January 13, 1925 - October 18, 2000) was an acclaimed Tony Award winning American dancer and actress. ... George Corley Wallace (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician who was elected Governor of Alabama (as a Democrat) four times (1962, 1970, 1974 and 1982) and ran for U.S. President (in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976). ... Thelma Ritter Thelma Ritter (February 14, 1902 – February 4, 1969) was an American character actress of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. ... Carol Creighton Burnett (born April 26, 1933) was one of the most successful female comedians on American television, thanks largely to her variety show that ran on CBS from 1967 through 1978. ... Martha Raye (1916-October 19, 1994) was an American comic actress and singer in motion pictures and later, on television. ...

A New Girl in Town started at the 46th Street Theatre on 14 May 1957 and ran for 431 performances.

Songs

• It's good to be alive
• Sunshine Girl
• Did you close your eyes
• You're my friend Ain'tcha
• Look at 'Er
• At the Check Apron Ball
• Roll yer socks up
• There ain't no flies on Me
• Flings

Reference

Guinness Who's Who of Stage Musicals - editor Colin Larken ISBN 0-85112-756-8

Playbill of 46th Street Theatre