Li'L Abner

Li'L Abner (1956), a musical satire by Norman Panama, Melvin Frank (book), Gene de Paul (music), Johnny Mercer (lyrics). [St. James Theatre, 693 perf.] Al Capp's popular comic strip about the residents of Dogpatch, U.S.A., was given a cartoonish rendering in this lively show staged by Michael Kidd. Easygoing Abner Yokum ( Peter Palmer) is chased by the ever hopeful Daisy Mae ( Edith Adams) while the government makes plans to test atomic bombs on the worthless site, and Marryin' Sam ( Stubby Kaye) keeps matrimony alive through the annual Sadie Hawkins Day race. Notable songs: Namely You; Jubilation T. Cornpone; The Country's in the Very Best of Hands. While the satire was not as pointed as in the political comic strip, Li'l Abner managed to be very entertaining and afforded Mercer his only Broadway hit. Johnny MERCER (1909–76) was born in Savannah, Georgia, and began his career as a vocalist with celebrated big bands. Although he wrote several stage scores, he had greater success as a Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley lyricist. Mercer's other Broadway shows include St. Louis Woman (1946), Top Banana (1951), Saratoga (1959), and Foxy (1964).