Show Girl (1929 musical)
Show Girl is a musical by William Anthony McGuire that ran from Jul 2, 1929 to Oct 5, 1929. The show tells the story of aspiring Broadway showgirl Dixie Dugan (played by Ruby Keeler) as she is pursued by four suitors (played by Eddie Foy, Jr., Joseph Macaulay, Austin Fairman, and Frank McHugh). The music was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn. The character of Dixie Dugan was created by J. P. McEvoy and was first introduced in "Liberty" before McEvoy published his 1928 novel "Show Girl" (on which the  musical was loosely based). The Broadway production was produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, directed by McGuire, and choreographed by Bobby Connolly, with ballet sequences—including one set to "An American in Paris—"by Albertina Rasch. Duke Ellington conducted the orchestra. The show opened on July 2, 1929 at the Ziegfeld Theatre and ran for 111 performances. The cast included Ruby Keeler as Dixie, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Foy, Jr., Frank McHugh, and Nick Lucas. Keeler's husband, Al Jolson, frequently sat in the audience and serenaded her with the show's closing number, "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)," from his seat. The  song was featured in the 1946 biopic "The Jolson Story". In 1929, Ruby had to withdraw due to illness and Dorothy Stone took over the role. Warner Brothers filmed this musical as "Show Girl" (1928), with Alice White as Dixie Dugan; a sequel, "Show Girl in Hollywood" (1930) was made with White again starring as Dixie. Cast. Doris Carson - Raquel Lew Clayton - Gypsy Sadie Duff - Mrs. Dugan Austin Fairman - John Milton Eddie Foy, Jr. - Denny Kerrigan Noel Francis - Peggy Ritz Kathryn Hereford - Bobby Ruby Keeler - Dixie Dugan Nick Lucas - Rudy Joseph Macauley - Alvarez Romano Frank McHugh - Jimmy Doyle Howard Morgan  - Matt Brown Barbara Newberry - "Sunshine' and "Virginia Witherby" Matthew Smith - Captain Robert Adams Song list. Act One Act Two