Madame Sherry
Founded on a French Vaudeville in Three Acts
by M. Ordonneau and Hugo Felix
Music by Karl Hoschna
Book and Lyrics by Otto Harbach
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Lulu, an actress and dancer (Edward’s sweetheart) – Singing and Dancing Ingenue, Soprano
Catherine, Edward’s housekeeper (Phillippe’s wife) – Eccentric Comedienne
Phillippe, janitor (Catherine’s husband) – Second comedy, French Dialect
Edward Sherry, a New York man about town (nephew of Theophilus Sherry) – Light Comedy, Juvenile Lead, Tenor or Lyric Baritone
Leonard Gomez, son of the President of Venezuela – Juvenile, Baritone
Pepita, Leonard’s sweetheart – Singing and Dancing Comedienne, Mezzo, Spanish Type
Yvonne Sherry, a convent girl (niece of Theophilus Sherry) – Prima Donna Ingenue
Theophilus Sherry, a millionaire connoisseur of Greek Art – Principal Comedy
Hector, head steward on the yacht “Yvonne” – Small Part
Bobby, a guest – Bit
Two sailors – Bits
Pupils at the Sherry School of Aesthetic Dancing – Show Girls
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
Act I. Edward Sherry’s Studio, Manhattan. A Morning in July
Act II. The salon of the yacht “Yvonne,” New York Harbor. Same evening.
Act III. After-deck of the yacht “Yvonne,” off Coney Island. Same night.
Time – Present Day (1910).
Argument
Edward Sherry, who is the heir of his uncle Theophilus, an odd old character, has led him to believe that he is working hard in New York to become a great musician, and that he is married and the father of two beautiful children. The old gentleman’s funds are much in demand by this young scape-grace nephew, and when Theophilus arrives on the scene with his niece Yvonne, a demure young convent girl, Edward is put to his wits ends to produce both the musical talent and the family, neither of which he possesses. To deceive his uncle, he presents his Irish landlady as Madame Sherry, and a dancing teacher and one of her male pupils Leonard Gomez, as his children. The latter who is in love with his teacher Lulu, is pursued by Pepita, a Spanish beautify. In the course of the play, Edward transfers his affections from Lulu to his cousin Yvonne. Various complications necessarily arise during the Second and Third Acts, which are principally devoted to Theophilus Sherry’s detective work in solving the mystery of Madame Sherry. Everything is eventually explained to his satisfaction and he sanctions the engagement of Edward and Yvonne.
History
Madame Sherry opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on August 30, 1910 and ran for 231 performances. Based on a German musical by Hugo Felix, the score and book were completely re-written for Broadway. Lina Abarbanell played the convent girl Yvonne and Ralph C. Herz had audiences rolling in the aisles as Theopholis Sherry. The immortal song “Every Little Movement Has A Meaning All Its Own” originated in this production, as well as interpolations “Ciribiribin” and “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey.” The show was revived by stock and amateur companies for years until the 1950s.
The New York Times: Madame Sherry is different…the situations are very amusing…a great many of the songs also will achieve popularity.
Orchestration
Flute 1
Flute 2 (doubles Piccolo)
Oboe
Clarinet 1 (in B-flat and A)
Clarinet 2 (in B-flat and A)
Bassoon
Horn 1
Horn 2
Cornet 1
Cornet 2
Trombone
Percussion (2 Players: Timpani, Bells, Snare Drum, Bass Drum & Cymbals, Triangle, Tambourine, Wood Block, Suspended Cymbal)
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Bass
