Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)
Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)
Music by Rodgers, Richard | Lyrics by Lorenz Hart | Book by George Oppenheimer | Based on the original by Rodgers & Hart
This quintessential 'Hey, kids, let's put on a show!' musical boasts one of the greatest scores ever written. Set at a summer stock theatre, the plot concerns a group of young apprentices and their conviction to mount the original revue they've created while dodging the underhanded attempts of the surly theatre owner to squash their efforts at every turn. Further complications are provided by the overbearing stage mother of a beautiful ex-child star and the inflated ego of a hack southern playwright. But of course the show must go on, and so it does in a resolution of comeuppance, reconciliation and romance. This version is the 1959 adaptation by George Oppenheimer. The Original 1937 version is also available. Please specify which version you would like when ordering.
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About The Show

News for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)
History for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

Production Info


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News for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

When New York City Center's acclaimed Encores! Series presented Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS in February of 1999, New York Times critic Ben Brantley summarized the prevailing, giddy reaction when he deemed it ""almost too enjoyable for a theatregoer's good""... read more

Irving Berlin said it best: "Tuneful, tasteful/Soulful, smart/Music - Rodgers/Lyrics - Hart." read more

Think of your favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals and PIPE DREAM will probably not be the first title to come to mind. In fact, you may not even know it. But in its time, it was one of the most eagerly anticipated new shows to reach Broadway, promising another banquet of R&H hit songs and setting box office records. It opened in November of 1955. Then it disappeared. What happened? Read more →
In the fall of 2010 we ran a contest through our SOUND OF MUSIC Facebook page to give away a trip for two to Salzburg Austria, the location where the movie and stage musical takes place and where the movie was filmed 46 years ago. Read the blog from the winner's trip.
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I had the incredible honor of visiting Salzburg in October 2011 with members of the von Trapp family. We were there to attend the premiere of the first stage production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC ever done in the city where the story is set, and to preside over the opening of a new exhibition. – BERT FINK

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Trivia for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

April 14, 1937

Rodgers & Hart's musical BABES IN ARMS has its New York premier at the Shubert Theatre before moving to the Majestic Theatre for a total of 289 performances.

December 31, 1969

Lorenz Milton Hart is born in New York City. In 1918 he is introduced to Richard Rodgers, and they collaborate on twenty six Broadway musicals over the next two decades, including A CONNECTICUT YANKEE (1927), BABES IN ARMS (1937), I MARRIED AN ANGEL (1938), THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE (1938), PAL JOEY (1940), and BY JUPITER (1942).

 Press for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

  • Quotes
"The show is charming, the numbers sizzle, what more can you ask?" — The Cincinnati Enquirer, January 01, 1998
"A score that is altogether superb...fresh, youthful, and utterly captivating." — The New York Times, January 01, 1937
"Pace, humor and presence that belies its age...there hasn't been a musical written in this decade with anywhere near as many first class numbers." — The Day, January 01, 2007
"Pace, humor and presence that belies its age...there hasn't been a musical written in this decade with anywhere near as many first class numbers." — The Day, January 01, 1986
"It is cheering to rediscover the authentic joys of this 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical. An exhilarating hymn to youth... Hart's acerbic wit perfectly counterpoints Rodgers' innate romanticism, and his lyrics are a triumph of ingenious wordplay." — Michael Billington, The Guardian, January 01, 2007
"A pleasant outing featuring one of Broadway's most memorable scores."

— Jonas Schwartz — Jonas Schwartz, Theatermania, January 01, 2003

"BABES IN ARMS is almost too enjoyable for a theatergoer's good!" — Ben Brantley, The New York Times, January 01, 1999

Videos for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

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Musical Numbers for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

Song #
Song Name
Character Name
Play
Other Versions
1
Overture
 
2
Babes In Arms
 
3
All At Once
 
4
I Wish I Were In Love Again
 
5
Where Or When
 
6
Way Out West
 
7
My Funny Valentine
 
8
Finale - Act I
 
9
Imagine
 
10
You're Nearer
 
11
The Lady Is A Tramp
 
12
My Funny Valentine - Reprise
 
13
The Lady Is A Tramp - Reprise
 
14
Jonny One Note
 
15
I Wish I Were In Love Again - Reprise
 
16
Finale
 

Which came first: groups of kids getting together to put on a show, or BABES IN ARMS, the 1937 Rodgers & Hart musical about a group of kids getting together to put on a show? It’s a fair bet that, for generations, enthusiastic stage struck kids gathered together searching for an outlet to perform. But it was in 1937, with their classic script and glorious score, that Rodgers & Hart coined the now-famous phrase, "Hey, kids, let’s put on a show!"

Its score is, without a doubt, musical comedy's finest: Where Or When, Johnny One Note, I Wish I Were In Love Again, The Lady Is A Tramp, Babes In Arms, My Funny Valentine... however the script, as penned by Rodgers & Hart, fell into obscurity.

It was a script revised by George Oppenheimer in 1959 under the supervision of Richard Rodgers which became the version licensed by R&H from then on. That same version, first mounted at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse in Palm Beach starring Julie Wilson, has been presented across the country and through the decades with success at such prestigious venues as the Goodspeed Opera House (featuring Andrea McArdle) in 1979 as well as countless high schools, community and summer stock theatres.


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Vocal Range of Characters:

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Stage Promotions offers custom T-Shirts, Posters, and Program Covers for BABES IN ARMS (Oppenheimer Version). Order Merchandise for BABES IN ARMS directly from Stage Promotions online.


Rental Materials for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

STANDARD

  • BABES (OPPENHEIMER) - Orchestration Package (14 Books)
    • 1 – PIANO VOCAL SCORE
    • 1 – PIANO
    • 1 – REED I (Alto Sax, Clarinet (Optional Flute, Optional Piccolo))
    • 1 – REED II (Tenor Sax and Clarinet)
    • 1 – REED III (Alto Sax, Clarinet)
    • 1 – REED IV (Tenor Sax and Bass Clarinet)
    • 1 – TRUMPET I-II
    • 1 – TRUMPET III
    • 1 – TROMBONE
    • 1 – PERCUSSION (see list below)
    • 1 – VIOLIN A-B (Divisi)
    • 1 – VIOLA (Divisi)
    • 1 – CELLO (Divisi)
    • 1 – BASS
  • BABES (OPPENHEIMER) - Rehearsal Set (22 Books)
    • 20 – Libretto/Vocal Books
    • 1 – Logo CD
    • 2 – PIANO VOCAL SCORE

ADDITIONAL

  • Babes In Arms (OPPENHEIMER VERSION) - Libretti/Vocal Books 1
    • 10 – Libretto/Vocal Books
  • BABES (OPPENHEIMER) - PRE-PRODUCTION PACKAGE
    • 1 – Libretto/Vocal Books
    • 1 – PIANO VOCAL SCORE

Cast Requirements for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

PRINCIPALS
3 Young Women
6 Young Men

FEATURED
2 Adult Men
4 Young Men

ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble consisting of the Gang.

CHARACTERS
Maizie LaMar
Dan LaMar
Val LaMar
Nat Blackstone
Emma Blackstone
Marshall Blacksone
Billie Smith
Sheriff Reynolds
Gus Fielding
Booker Vanderpool
Pinkie
Lee Calhoun
Beauregard Calhoun
Sam Reynolds
Dolores Reynolds
Lincoln Vanderpool
Peter
Baby Rose
Ivor De Quincy
Irving De Quincy
Rene Flambeau
Phil Mc Cabe
Dr. Snyder
Bobby
Elenore
The Gang

Set Requirements for Babes in Arms (Oppenheimer Version)

BABES IN ARMS takes place at The Surf and Sand Playhouse during the summer of 1959.

Exterior of The Surf and Sand Playhouse
Section of the Playhouse Stage
The Old Barn
Bedroom at the Inn
Behind the Playhouse Curtain
A Country Road

Materials Notes

Trap Set, Timpani, Bells, Wood or Temple Blocks, Triangle, Cow Bell

Featured News

They Call Us Babes In Arms
When New York City Center's acclaimed Encores! Series presented Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS in February of 1999, New York Times critic Ben Brantley summarized the prevailing, giddy reaction when he deemed it ""almost too enjoyable for a theatregoer's good""... Read More
Soulful...smart...rodgers...hart

Irving Berlin said it best: "Tuneful, tasteful/Soulful, smart/Music - Rodgers/Lyrics - Hart."

Read More