The Baroness Fiddlesticks is a two-act 1904 Broadway musical with a book by George de Long.[1][2][3] It was directed by Al M. Holbrook.[4] The show's music was composed by Emil Bruguiere, with lyrics by de Long.[1][2] The show opened on November 21, 1904, and ran for 25 performances at the Casino Theatre before closing on December 10, 1904.[2][5]
The show took place in contemporary England and was billed as "a musical satire on society".[3] Harry Lehr asked that his name be removed from one of the show's songs.[6]
Production
editThe show was mired in controversy, mostly surrounding eighteen-year-old Anna Fitzhugh being cast in the show's titular role.[3] One financial backer objected to her casting, and she was removed from the show by the end of its first week on Broadway.[3] However, the other cast members supported Fitzhugh, saying she had been "very badly used".[3] Many of the cast members put in their two-week notice by November 25.[3] At the same time, conductor Arthur Weld had resigned.[3]
Synopsis
editLondon musical hall entertainer Patrina is invited to a house party at Mashaway's country estate.[3] However, she decides to attend the event as the Baroness Fiddlesticks.[3] Mashaway, who wants to make his name as a member of the stock exchange, comes at odds with Patrina's masquerade.[3]
Cast
edit| Character | 1904 Broadway[4] |
|---|---|
| Patrina/Baroness Fiddlesticks | Anna Fitzhugh |
| Mashaway | John E. Henshaw |
| Maurel Trenchant | Tony Asher |
| Geraldine | Nella Bergen |
| Mrs. McGurk | Mary Ten Broeck |
| Isabelle | Toby Claude |
| Cholly | Walter A. Cluxton |
| Marionetta | Anna Johnston |
| Jenkins | Gustav Koldovski |
| Archer | Richie Ling |
| Jack Elkins | Alden McClaskie |
| Monty | Edna McClure |
| The Duchess of Reelboro | Minnie Methot |
| Algy | Mae Sherwood |
Songs
editThe order of songs is unknown, and they are thus presented alphabetically.[3][7]
- "At a Fancy Costume Ball" (Isabelle)
- "Could You But Know"
- "Daphne Sue"
- "Heigh Ho"
- "I'm Just about as I Ought to Be" (Mashaway)
- "Imogen"
- "Listen to the Night a-Singing" (Geraldine)
- "Mr. Bugaboo" (Isabelle)
- "Rachel O'Toole"
- "Seeing New York" (Mashaway)
- "Something or Other Sue"
- "Spring" (Geraldine)
- "To Arms! Hear the Cry!" (Archer)
- "Tra-la-la-la"
- "What's the Use of Kisses"
- "When I Drop 'Round" (Patrina)
- "When You Don't Know"
- "When You Love a Little Girl"
Reception
editThe New York Evening World praised Bruguiere's score as "worthwhile" saying that he "would undoubtedly have been able to get [the show] produced even if he had been broke". Brooklyn Life, the Galveston Daily News, and the Louisville Courier-Journal also praised the show's music. Both the Daily Times and Evening World papers were critical of the show's book.[3]
The New York Times called the show "a decided hit" and praised its costuming.[3]
Fitzhugh and the rest of the cast generally seemed to garner positive reviews.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "The Baroness Fiddlesticks - 1904 Broadway - Creative Team". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ a b c "The Baroness Fiddlesticks". Playbill. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dietz, Dan (2022). The Complete Book of 1900s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 259–260. ISBN 978-1-5381-6894-3. OCLC 1334889961.
- ^ a b "The Baroness Fiddlesticks Original Broadway Musical Cast 1904". Broadway World. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ "The Baroness Fiddlesticks - 1904 Broadway - Backstage & Production Info". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ "HARRY LEHR OBJECTS.; Doesn't Like Use of Name in a Musical Comedy". The New York Times. 1904-11-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
- ^ "Heigh ho: from Baroness Fiddlesticks - Quartex site". digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
