The Straw Hat Revue

The Straw Hat Revue is a musical comedy revue with sketches mostly by Max Liebman and Samuel Locke, and music and lyrics by Sylvia Fine and James Shelton. It was produced on Broadway in 1939.

Production

The Straw Hat Revue started life as a 1939 summer theatre revue at Camp Tamiment, Bushkill, PA. It was discovered by the Broadway producer, Harry Kaufman, and reorganized into a Broadway show produced by Mr. Kaufman and Messrs. Shubert (Lee and J.J.). The Straw Hat Revue premiered on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre on September 29, 1939, and closed on December 2, 1939, after 75 performances. It was conceived and staged by Max Liebman with choreography by Jerome Andrews, and settings by Edward Gilbert. The orchestra was under the direction of Edward A. Hunt. The cast included Imogene Coca, Danny Kaye, Alfred Drake, Jerome Robbins, Mata & Hari, and James Shelton

Songs

;Act I

“Crashing Thru” – Entire Company
“Four Young People” – Alfred Drake, Dorothy Bird, Jerome Andrews, Albia Kavan
“Anatole of Paris” – Danny Kaye and Models
“Tramping on Life” – Robert Burton, Imogene Coca, James Shelton
“The Swingaroo Trio” – Imogene Coca, Robert Burton, Danny Kaye
“The Great Chandelier” – Robert Burton, Herbert Shepard, James Shelton, Danny Kaye, Imogene Coca, Lee Brody, Boys and Girls

;Act II

“Crazy Cactus” – Alfred Drake
“Our Town” – James Shelton and several others
“Soused American Way” – Alfred Drake
“Finale” – Entire Company

Reception

Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times said, “... a cheerful lark very much worth holding over into the felt hat season.... Put it down as the first pleasant surprise of the season.... written, acted and staged with skill and relish.”