Oh, Kay!

Oh, Kay! (1926), a musical comedy by Guy Bolton, P. G. Wodehouse (book), George Gershwin (music), Ira Gershwin (lyrics). [Imperial Theatre, 256 perf.] Because Jimmy Winter ( Oscar Shaw) spends so little time on his Long Island estate, Kay ( Gertrude Lawrence) helps her rum‐running brother cache his illegal booze there. When Jimmy returns unexpectedly, he and Kay fall in love. As a result he helps Kay outwit the revenue agents and, after renouncing his numerous other promises of marriage, agrees to marry Kay. Notable songs: Clap Yo' Hands; Do, Do, Do; Maybe; Someone to Watch Over Me. The musical was Lawrence's first starring role on Broadway and was said to have been written with her in mind. Her singing of “Someone to Watch Over Me” while cuddled up on a sofa with a small, raggedy doll was one of the era's most memorable musical moments. The Alex A. Aarons and Vinton Freedley production was a resounding hit, and in 1960 it was revived successfully Off Broadway. But a 1978 mounting, slated for Broadway, folded on the road and a 1990 revised version, with an all‐black cast, did reach Broadway but quickly closed.