Best Foot Forward (musical)

For other uses, see Best Foot Forward.
Best Foot Forward
Original Revival Cast recording from the 1963 Off-Broadway production
MusicHugh Martin and Ralph Blane
LyricsHugh Martin and Ralph Blane
BookJohn Cecil Holm
Productions1941 Broadway
1943 Film
1954 TV movie
1963 Off Broadway revival

Best Foot Forward is a 1941 musical with songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and a book by John Cecil Holm. Produced by George Abbott, the production opened on Broadway on October 1, 1941, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre after an out-of-town tryout, where it ran for 326 performances. It was directed by Abbott, with choreography by Gene Kelly and starred Rosemary Lane. The show was Nancy Walker's Broadway debut and also launched June Allyson into stardom. Sets and lighting were by Jo Mielziner, and costumes were by Miles White.[1][2]

The musical's success led to a 1943 film adaptation starring Lucille Ball, June Allyson and Nancy Walker, and a 1954 television adaptation.[3] A 1953 tour featured Debbie Reynolds and Joan Bennett.[4]

The 1963 Off-Broadway revival at Stage 73 ran for 224 performances. It was directed and choreographed by Danny Daniels and featured newcomer Liza Minnelli, who won a Theatre World Award, and Christopher Walken.[5] Veronica Lake was a replacement for Paula Wayne[6] as Gale. A recording of this revival is available on CD.[3]

  1. ^ Best Foot Forward, Playbill Vault, accessed February 9, 2015
  2. ^ Suskin, Steven. "On the Record: Best Foot Forward, Good News and The Girl Most Likely Archived February 10, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, March 23, 2003, accessed February 9, 2015
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Dietz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Credits for Best Foot Forward (State Fair Musicals Production, 1953)". Ovrtur. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  5. ^ Best Foot Forward Archived 2015-02-09 at the Wayback Machine, Lortel Archives: The Internet Off-Broadway Database, accessed February 9, 2015
  6. ^ "Paula Wayne Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-13.