Here's Love is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson.
Based on the classic film Miracle on 34th Street, it tells the tale of a skeptical little girl who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. When the real Kris Kringle inadvertently is hired to represent jolly St. Nick in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, he must convince the child and her cynical divorced mother (the department store's special events director) that he's the genuine article.
Productions
After two previews, the Broadway production, directed by Stuart Ostrow (original director Norman Jewison was replaced by Ostrow, the producer, during rehearsals) [1]and choreographed by Michael Kidd, opened on October 3, 1963 at the Shubert Theatre, where it ran for 334 performances. The cast included Laurence Naismith, Janis Paige, Craig Stevens, Lisa Kirk, Fred Gwynne, Michael Bennett, and Baayork Lee.
The Civic Light Opera Company, Toronto, production ran from December 5-23, 2007.[2]
According to MTI Shows, this musical has been retitled It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. [3]The song "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" was written by Willson in 1951 and used in the musical (although it is not listed in the original Broadway production). [4][5]
Synopsis
Susan Walker and her mother, Doris, live alone in New York in the 1960s. Doris works in an executive position at Macy's, and at the start of the musical is busy organizing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Susan meets an ex-marine named Fred Gaily, who takes it upon himself to rid her of her "realistic" outlook on life by taking her to see Santa Claus at Macy's. Kris (Santa) manages to win Susan over while love blooms between Fred and Doris. The second act sees Kris appearing in the New York Supreme Court, with Fred helping him defend his sanity. In the conclusion, Fred uses the Post Office to prove to the court (and the world) that Santa Claus does exist: Kris Kringle is he.
[edit]Original Broadway cast and characters
Valerie Lee - Susan Walker
Janis Paige - Doris Walker
Laurence Naismith - Kris Kringle (Santa)
Craig Stevens - Fred Gaily
Fred Gwynne - Mr. Shellhammer
Paul Reed - Mr. Macy
[edit]Song list
Broadway
Act I
The Big Clown Balloons - Paradesters
Arm in Arm - Doris Walker and Susan Walker
You Don't Know - Doris Walker
The Plastic Alligator - Marvin Shellhammer and Clerks
The Bugle - Mr. Kris Kringle and Hendrika
Here's Love - Mr. Kris Kringle, Fred Gaily, Customers, Clerks, Employees and Children
My Wish - Fred Gaily and Susan Walker
Pinecones and Holly Berries - Mr. Kris Kringle, Doris Walker and Marvin Shellhammer
Look, Little Girl - Fred Gaily
Look, Little Girl (Reprise) - Doris Walker
Expect Things to Happen - Mr. Kris Kringle
Act II
Pinecones and Holly Berries (Reprise) - Mr. Kris Kringle and Susan Walker
She Hadda Go Back - Fred Gaily and Marines
That Man Over There - R. H. Macy
My State - Doris Walker, R. H. Macy, Marvin Shellhammer, Tammany O'Halloran and Judge Martin Group
Nothing in Common - Doris Walker
That Man Over There (Reprise) - Court Personnel and Spectators
Toronto
Act I
Pinecones & Holly Berries/ It's Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas
The Big Clown Balloons
Arm in Arm
You Don't Know
Be A Santa
The Bugle
Here's Love
My Wish
Pinecones & Holly Berries (reprise)
Seeing Things
Pinecones & Holly Berries (reprise)
Expect Things to Happen / Dream Ballet
Act II
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas (reprise)
Be A Santa (reprise)
The Bachelor
Dear Mr. Santa Claus
That Man Over There
My State
Must It Be Love?
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas (reprise)
That Man Over There (reprise)
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