High Button Shoes

High Button Shoes (1947), a musical comedy by Stephen Longstreet (book), Jule Styne (music), Sammy Cahn (lyrics). [New Century Theatre, 727 perf.] Con artist Harrison Floy ( Phil Silvers) arrives in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1917 and hoodwinks Mr. and Mrs. Longstreet ( Jack McCauley and Nanette Fabray) out of some money from the sale of their property. The chase to catch Floy brings everyone to Atlantic City before the charlatan loses all his winnings on a football game. Notable songs: Papa, Won't You Dance with Me?; I Still Get Jealous; There's Nothing Like a Model T. The merry show was based on Longstreet's autobiography but much of the libretto was rewritten by director George Abbott, who staged the musical in his typical rapid style. A highlight of the evening was the Tony Award–winning choreography by Jerome Robbins, in particular his farcical “Keystone Kops” ballet set on the beach at Atlantic City. Sammy CAHN (1913–93) was one of Hollywood's most successful lyricists, but this was his only Broadway hit. The native New Yorker also wrote lyrics for the stage musicals Skyscraper (1965) and Look to the Lilies (1970).