The Only Girl
A Musical Farcical Comedy
Music by Victor Herbert
Book by Henry Blossom
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Alan Kimbrough (Kim), a Librettist – Leading Man, Baritone
Sylvester Martin (Corksey), a Broker – Light Comedy, Tall and Slight, 2nd Tenor
John Ayre (Fresh), a Lawyer – Light Comedy Short and Stout, 1st Tenor
Andrew McMurray (Bunkie), a Painter – Character Comedian, Tall, Bass
Saunders, Kimbrough’s Valet - Character Comedian, Old Man, non-singing
Ruth Wilson, a Composer – Prima Donna Soprano
Birdie Martin - Light Comedy Tall and Dark, 2nd Soprano
Margaret Ayre - Tall, Haughty, Aburn Hair, soprano
Jane McMurray - Petite Ingenue, Blonde, mezzo
Patrice La Montrose (Patsy) - Singing and Dancing Soubrette Soprano
Renee - Good Small part, French dialect soprano or mezzo
Ruby Show girls of various Types
Violet
Viola
Paula
Pearlie
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
ACT I. The Living Room.
ACT II. The Same. Six Weeks Later.
ACT III. The Dining Room. Same Evening.
Place: Kimbrough’s Apartment, New York Time: The Present. (1914)
Argument
The story of The Only Girl tells of four friends who have determined to remain bachelors. One by one they get married to “the only girl.” Only one of the four is left. He is a librettist, seeking a composer who will write an opera for him. Hearing an exquisite melody from the apartment above, he sends for the musician. Though his surprise the composer proves to be a beautiful young woman. As he dislikes women heartily, he is greatly disappointed, but finally concludes to treat her in an impersonal fashion, asking her to do the same. So they work together like two machines until at the close of the play he joins the benedicts. His three friends and their brides form an amusing part of the plot.
History
The Only Girl opened on Broadway at the 39th Street Theatre on November 2, 1914 and ran for 240 successful performances (later transferring to the Lyric Theatre). One of the few Herbert operettas to be revived on Broadway, it returned to the stage in 1934 and earned a West Coast revival in 1945. Groundbreaking for its time, The Only Girl is an intimate operetta with two sets and no chorus. Herbert’s work paved the way for Jerome Kern, Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse’s innovative “Princess Theatre” musical comedies a few years later. The score features the charming trio “When You’re Wearing the Ball and Chain,” the patriotic march “Here’s To The Land We Love, Boys” and the haunting waltz “When You’re Away.” Bing Crosby, Deanna Durbin, Jan Peerce and Perry Como are among the many diverse artists that have recorded the famous waltz.
The New York Times: refreshing and delightful…full of genuine, splendid fun and pretty, tuneful music.
Orchestration
Flute (doubles Piccolo)
Oboe
Clarinet 1 (in B-flat and A)
Clarinet 2 (in B-flat and A)
Horn 1
Horn 2
Trumpet 1
Trumpet 2
Trombone
Percussion (2 Players: Timpani, Bells, Snare Drum, Bass Drum & Cymbals, Triangle, Wood Block, Tambourine, Suspended Cymbal)
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Bass
Harp
