Hooray For What! Musical Numbers and Legacy
The musical Hooray For What! features a vibrant collection of songs distributed across two acts. Written by the renowned collaboration of Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, the production blends ensemble energy with intimate character moments, showcasing a variety of vocal performances and specialty acts.
Key Facts
- The production is divided into two distinct acts.
- Key performers include Breezy Cunningham, Annabel Lewis, and Stephanie Stephanovich.
- A cut song from this production eventually became the basis for iconic tracks in The Wizard of Oz.
- The song "Napoleon's a Pastry" shares its title with a different song from the 1957 musical Jamaica.
Act 1: Opening Energy and Character Development
The first act establishes the tone of the show, beginning with a high-energy ensemble piece and moving into specialty performances. The act is characterized by a mix of romantic duets and comedic numbers.
The act opens with "Hooray For What!" performed by the ensemble, followed by "God's Country," a specialty act featuring Breezy Cunningham and the singing and dancing ensembles. Notably, "God's Country" was later featured in the 1939 film Babes in Arms.
As the plot progresses, the music shifts to character-driven pieces such as the romantic "I've Gone Romantic on You" and the atmospheric "Moanin' in the Mornin'" performed by Stephanie Stephanovich and the Singing Spies. The act concludes with a series of larger numbers, including "Viva for Geneva," "Life's a Dance," the comedic "Napoleon's a Pastry," and the ensemble piece "Down With Love."
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Act 2: Resolution and Finale
The second act continues the narrative through a smaller selection of musical numbers, focusing on specific character arcs and the grander setting of the story.
The act features "A Fashion Girl," performed by a spy and singers, and a solo performance by Stephanie Stephanovich titled "The Night of the Embassy Ball." The musical journey concludes with "In the Shade of the New Apple Tree," featuring Breezy Cunningham, Annabel Lewis, a spy, and singers.
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Musical Summary Table
| Act | Song Title | Performers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hooray For What! | Ensemble |
| 1 | God's Country | Breezy Cunningham, Specialty Act, Singing and Dancing Ensembles |
| 1 | I've Gone Romantic on You | Breezy Cunningham and Annabel Lewis |
| 1 | Moanin' in the Mornin' | Stephanie Stephanovich and Singing Spies |
| 1 | Viva for Geneva | Ensemble |
| 1 | Life's a Dance | Benjamin Benedict |
| 1 | Napoleon's a Pastry | Breezy Cunningham and Annabel Lewis |
| 1 | Down With Love | Breezy Cunningham, Annabel Lewis, Stephanie Stephanovich, and Ensemble |
| 2 | A Fashion Girl | A Spy and Singers |
| 2 | The Night of the Embassy Ball | Stephanie Stephanovich |
| 2 | In the Shade of the New Apple Tree | Breezy Cunningham, Annabel Lewis, A Spy, and Singers |
Historical Connections and Legacy
The production of Hooray For What! has an interesting history regarding its songwriting. One song, "I'm Hanging On to You," was cut from the final production. This piece was later rewritten with new lyrics to become the famous trio of songs "If I Only Had a Brain / a Heart / the Nerve" for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, another Arlen-Harburg collaboration.
Additionally, the song "Napoleon's a Pastry" shares a name with a completely different song in the 1957 Arlen-Harburg musical Jamaica, which was performed by Lena Horne. The original version of "Napoleon's a Pastry" from Hooray For What! eventually resurfaced in a production by 42nd Street Moon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which song from this musical was used in The Wizard of Oz?
The song "I'm Hanging On to You" was cut from the final production and later rewritten as "If I Only Had a Brain / a Heart / the Nerve" for the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.
Who performed the song "God's Country"?
It was performed by Breezy Cunningham, a specialty act, and the singing and dancing ensembles.
Is "Napoleon's a Pastry" the same song in both Hooray For What! and Jamaica?
No, they are completely different songs that happen to share the same title. The version in Jamaica (1957) was sung by Lena Horne.
Where can the original "Napoleon's a Pastry" be heard?
The original song resurfaced in the 42nd Street Moon production of Hooray for What!
Which song was featured in the film Babes in Arms?
The song "God's Country" was later featured in the 1939 film Babes in Arms.