Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! This month, we’re celebrating Best Foot Forward, which first opened on Broadway in October 1941 — 80 years ago! With a peppy score by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, this swinging ball of fun has come up several times before on the blog, and many of you probably know it best from its 1943 film adaptation (starring Lucille Ball) or its 1963 Off-Broadway revival, which got a cast recording (featuring, among others, a young Liza Minnelli). Both are worthwhile, and I urge you to seek them out for yourself!
But, in the meantime, I’m happy to share — with subscribers who comment below to alert me of their interest — access to a live audio of another production. It comes from Musicals in Mufti’s 2004 mounting of the show, which included a new number written by Martin for the occasion (“Up To My Eyebrows”). As a sample of this treat, here’s a heretofore unrecorded song from the original 1941 run, the bouncy “Where Do You Travel?” Enjoy!
Come back next month for a new musical rarity! And stay tuned for more Laverne & Shirley!
Jackson, thanks, I’d love to hear this!
Hi, Reed! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your mac address.
i would love the Best Foot recording…thanks so much.
Hi, Stephen! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Please send me the recording of Best Foot Forward by Mufti 2004 Thank you
Hi, Steven! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your q address.
I didn’t know there had been a Broadway version of this. Would very much like to hear it. Thank you!
Hi, Linda! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your rogers address.
Would love to hear this recording.
Hi, Bob! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
This is one of my all-time favorite shows. I’d love to hear this!
Hi, James! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
I’m interested in hearing the Musicals In Mufti version of Best Foot Forward.
Hi, Roland! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your yahoo address.
love the score for Best Foot Forward and would love to rehear the Mufti version of the score
Hi, Rick! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Best Foot Forward has one of the most enjoyable scores of the forties. Hugh Martin alone was, in my opinion, responsible for all of the best songs from the score save Buckle Down Winsocki. I highly recommend Hugh’s superb memoir for more information on Martin and Blane.
I would love to hear the 2004 audio.
Hi, Craig! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I enjoy both of their contributions to this score — and I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Hi Jackson
Love to hear Best Foot Forward. Been researching for older musicals since I love musicals but was either not yet born, too young, and too far from New York to come to see the shows. Since there are few places you can buy records, tapes, cds or even sheet musics, you have been a great resource to learn, to hear and find “new” music or performances.
Thanks do much.
Donna
Hi, Donna! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your CS address.
I would like to hear the audio of the live production of Best Foot Forward
Hi, F.R.! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your sascholar address.
Hi, could you please send me the Mufti recording? I’d love it!
Hi, Selah! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Please subscribe to this blog using your preferred email address and I will send a link your way.