Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
SYNOPSIS AND CAST
At the Zangler Theater in New York City in the 1930s during a performance of the “Zangler Follies.” Impresario Bela Zangler is in love with Tess, but married, and Tess rejects his advances. Bobby Child, heir to a wealthy banking family, yearns to be in show-business. Bobby is accosted by Irene, his wealthy fiancée, whom he doesn’t want to marry, then by his mother, who insists that he go to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a property. He escapes by choosing Deadrock over marrying Irene.
Deadrock is a run down mining town where the only woman in town is Polly Baker. Her father, Everett, owns the Gaiety Theater and he has received a letter from New York stating that Bobby Child has been sent to foreclose on the theatre mortgage. Moments later, Bobby staggers into town, sees Polly and falls instantly in love with her. The town’s saloon is owned by Lank Hawkins who wants to marry Polly and buy Everett’s Theatre.
Polly meets Bobby for the first time, and Bobby declares his love for her and Polly falls deeply in love with Bobby. Later that night, Bobby tells Polly the theatre can be saved by putting on a show and that he knows the Follies Zangler. Polly is persuaded to join the plan, When Bobby introduces himself, she recognises his name from the foreclosure letter and flees in tears. Bobby spying a trunk of costumes, gets another idea to become Bela Zangler. The Follies Girls arrive in Deadrock and Bobby is masquerading as Zangler. He’s been sent, he says, by Bobby Child. Polly and Everett readily agree to let the great impresario put on a show to save the theatre. Irene arrives looking for Bobby, recognises him and threatens to expose him to Polly if he doesn’t promise to return with her to New York. When Irene leaves, “Zangler” tries to persuade Polly to give Bobby a chance; but Polly confesses that she’s madly in love with him “Zangler”. Lank is desperate to stop the show, and Irene is desperate to find Bobby, who’s been hiding from her all day. The show is a failure, and “Zangler” apologies for failing the town. At this point the real Zangler staggers into town.
Bobby, asks Polly to marry him but she tells him she is in love with “Zangler” and he explains that he is “Zangler” but she doesn’t believe him. The real Zangler staggers in and Polly kisses Zangler with passion. When Polly leaves, Zangler explains to Tess that his wife left him and that he come to Deadrock to be with Tess! Tess asks Zangler, to save the theatre! When Zangler refuses, Tess walks off.
Zangler and Bobby dressed as “Zangler” (both drunk) meet and the two bewail the loss of their women. Next morning, Polly sees two Zanglers out cold under the table and realises that Bobby was telling the truth but humiliated, she storms angrily out of the saloon. Lank and Irene discover they are made for each other.
Polly is now no longer angry with Bobby but everybody has decided not to put on a second show. Bobby says goodbye to Polly and returns to New York. Suddenly, Zangler sweeps into the theatre having decided to put on a show. Six weeks later, in New York, Bobby is trying to be a banker, but all he can think about is Polly and Deadrock. Mother, gives him a present, she’s foreclosed on the Zangler Theater, and she gives him the deed. At first Bobby is delighted; but when he learns that Zangler lost the property by wasting his money “on that theatre in Nevada” he’s suddenly bereft.
The Follies Girls now appear in his mind and remind him that fame and money are transitory; only love matters. His fighting spirit renewed, Bobby tears up the deed to the Zangler Theatre and heads for Deadrock and Polly
Director: Robin Clifford
Music Director: Timothy J Davies
Choreographer: Marilyn McPherson
CAST
| Polly Baker | Cheri Whitehouse |
| Irene Roth | Sharon Reece |
| Patricia Fodor | Sylvia Carter |
| Bobby Child | paul Dean-Lewis |
| Bela Zangler | Richard Holliday |
| Eugene Fodor | Hamish Norbrook |
| Lank Hawkins | John Huckle |
| Everett Baker | Clive Smith |
| Mother | Janet Huckle |
| Mitzi | Rachel Aubrey |
| Patsy | Gabi Bloor |
| Tess | Marilyn McPherson |
| COWBOY TRIO | |
| Moose | Paul Sadler |
| Mingo | Simon Burrell |
| Sam | Andy Giefer |
| Jimmy | Peter Bagwell |
| Perkins | Neil Catton |
| Wyatt | Ron Goldby |
| Harry | Geoff Greensmith |
| Junior | Spencer Mitchell |
| Pete | Greg Shaw |
| Custus | Steve Wotton |
| DANCERS | |
| Gloria Aguado | Rachel Aubrey |
| Gabi Bloor | Gayle Croker |
| Marilyn McPherson | Keren Pullinger |
| CHORUS | |
| Gill Burchill | Anne Crockford |
| Cindy Elson | Jane Greenshields |
| Janet Huckle | Esther Jubb |
| Mary Newton | Dominique Norbrook |
| Dianne Norton | Linda Pullinger |
| Rebekah Robson | Marion Stewart |
| Penny Stone | Linda Sutch |
| Claire Thompson | Kathryn Thompson |
| Peter Bagwell | Neil Catton |
| Ron Goldby | Geoff Greensmith |
| Spencer Mitchell | Greg Shaw |
| Steve Wootton |