ALLAH BE PRAISED! The Musical

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/21/15 at 3:37pm

I just stumbled across a listing for this bizarre sounding musical. Produced by Bloomingdale's department store, it played a grand total of 20 performances in the spring of 1944. The music was by amazing orchestrator Don Walker, in one of his only composing ventures on Broadway.

The setting is listed as "New York City, Sultanbad, and Hollywood, California in February of 1948." Song titles included "Getting Oriental Over You," "What's New In New York," "Leaf in the Wind" and the title number.

This is all the information I can find, but I'm so intrigued by it. I don't imagine anyone on here is old enough to have seen it, but perhaps someone else has heard of it? Any insight on plot or how these disparate and vaguely arabic pieces fit together?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/21/15 at 3:40pm

This make Senator Joe or Dude sound like Oklahoma

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/21/15 at 4:58pm

Based on the poster it seems Leap Day 1948 might have had some bearing on the plot.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 2/21/15 at 6:16pm

It's the show where George S. Kaufman was brought in out of town by the Bloomingdale's owner, who was seeking Kaufman's advice on what to do with the show, and Kaufman responded, "close it, and keep the store open nights."

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 2:36am

I want to point out quickly for the benefit of those who may be reading this from Muslim countries that such a poster would NEVER be issued today, and such a show would be impossible. Americans have advanced since 1944 and have hopefully learned not to make fun of other people's religions. The failure of this show on Broadway shows that, even in 1944, people had qualms about the subject matter.

Almost all Americans of today would probably be shocked by the idea of this show.

[Junior Babcock]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 6:49am

Allah Be Praised! Opened at the Adelph Theatre, April 20, 1944. Book and lyrics by George Nason, Jr. Music by Baldwin Bergensen, and Don Walker. With Joey Faye, Sid Stone, Jack Albertson and Patricia Morrison. Produced by Alfred Bloomingdales. Directed by Robert G. Gordon and Jack Small.

Burlesque musical about a land-lease Persian harem and a U.S. senator's sister who wants to join up.

Closed after 20 performances.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 11:40am

Needs to be at Encores

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 12:01pm

Glad we STILL do make fun of other peoples religions...

Go Book of Mormon

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 12:02pm

Not all religions.

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 6:00am

Broadwaysfguy and Mr. Roxy, I agree that, when we make fun of religions, it is prudent to be selective. BOM is an American-born, Christian religion, and sensitivity to satire about the LDS church is unlikely to lead to calls for jihad or actual violence. I had visions of this very reasonable discussion thread leading to a Charlie Hebdo situation, God forbid.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 6:12am

I heard that ISIS has someone whose only job is to read Broadway message boards to make sure no one mentions Mohamed.

You know, between decapitations and burning people alive.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 7:27am

According to "The Sound of Broadway Music: A Book of Orchestrators and Orchestrations" by Steven Suskin, composer Don Walker's full musical score are in the Walker Collection at the Library of Congress along with other correspondence from the show including a letter from featured actress Doretta Morrow which reads: "Your most amusing wire did my old dejected heart good! Thank you for remembering our helacious opening. Allah be thanked it's over."

Walker was payed a total of $4,539 for his orchestrations more than the fees of both the director ($3,000) and choreographer Jack Cole ($1,187).

[South Florida]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 12:28pm

"I want to point out quickly for the benefit of those who may be reading this from Muslim countries that such a poster would NEVER be issued today, and such a show would be impossible. Americans have advanced since 1944 and have hopefully learned not to make fun of other people's religions. The failure of this show on Broadway shows that, even in 1944, people had qualms about the subject matter.

Almost all Americans of today would probably be shocked by the idea of this show."

Really AHL? Are you that sensitive? Nowack watch your back.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 12:29pm

So it is Ok to make fun of some religions because they will not go ballistic

Great way to live. They have already won.

[South Florida]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 12:32pm

This attitude AHL, that is compatible with the current Pope, does not wash with a lot of Americans, hopefully. How can you speak to the world for us?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 1:36pm

Some trivia on this

1. It had 9 songs and a couple of reprises
2. It did not play one single preview
3. One song title is almost exactly the same as one in Fiddler.

The song is called Sunrise ON Sunset

Updated On: 2/24/15 at 01:36 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 1:54pm

"Great way to live. They have already won."

Wrote the man who wants that to be true so he can bitch and moan.

But it's not true...
… if you keep your eyes open.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 1:58pm

That looks hilarious, Namo.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 2:13pm

That Ryan Landry!

[South Florida]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 2:14pm

Some day this will be in Cairo. Until then Namo, Tazber, Nowack.....

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 2:18pm

Who won? What was the score?

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 2:18pm

Namo, I didn't believe it until I clicked through to order tickets. It's real! You'll have to let us know how it is... My office is getting a big kick out of it.

[South Florida]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 2:22pm

Wait a sec, that's real. God Bless America and Boston.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 3:12pm

Oh my gosh I need to see that! If only I lived close to Boston.

Sounds like a hoot!