Woman of the Year??

Does anyone know of an indepth synopsis to this show, or any info at all and the role of Sam? Any help would be great!! Thanks

and her name was Tess Harding.

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Updated On: 2/24/06 at 09:52 PM

I can tell you behind the scenes stuff, but because there is no cast album in print, I never bothered to buy the libretto or read up on it.
"Woman of the Year" is Kander-Ebb show than won the great team a second Tony. It starred Lauren Bacall and ran a good 700+ performances I think.
There is one really outstanding number I do know from it called "The Grass is Always" greener. It's the big 11 O'clock number and it really is a riot and excellent as well. The Bacall character and a character played by Marilyn Cooper sing the song.

Debbie Reynolds played the lead for the last weeks of the show on Broadway. Unfortunately when she opened in it there was a newspaper strike so no crits were forthcoming. When they did eventually appear they all agreed that Debbie was the personality (star) that show had needed all along. Unfortunately they appeared too late when the show had already announced it would be closing.

The character of Sam Craig has to be pretty strong to stand up to Tess.

The story beings as Tess Harding is being named Woman of the Year but her thoughts on her husband who has walked out on her just prior to the ceremony. Her thoughts take her (and us) back several months. Tess is a world famous TV journalist, and co-host of a network morning show. Running late one morning she dashes off a sarcastic editorial about the funny papers. Cartoonist Sam Craig and his buddies have been having an all-night Poker Game and happen to tune in to hear Tess's diatribe. Sam, who draws a Garfield-like strip called KATZ, decides to have some fun and creates "Tessie cat" as a character in his strip (See You in the Funny Papers.)

Tess is not amused and insists to her secretary Gerald When You're Right, You're Right. When Sam comes by her office Tess is immediately attracted to him and agrees to go to lunch. And another. And another. Much to the chagrin of her ever-efficient secretary. (Shut Up Gerald)

Sam cautions KATZ to be careful around Tessie-cat - some advice he is really feeding himself. (So What Else is New?)

Sam takes Tess to meet some of his cartoonist buddies at the Inkpot Saloon and she immediately wins them all over. (One of the Boys) After a few drinks with Sam Tess reveals her vulnerable side (Table Talk) and before long the two are married. Their friends remain sceptical (It Isn't Working) and they are not to be proven wrong. Tess's busy schedule doesn't quite mesh with Sam's and before long the two are arguing. (I Told You So) Balancing two careers proves near impossible and after a bitter battle, Sam walks out just before Tess is named Woman of the Year.

Tess commiserates with those around her (I Wrote the Book), is advised on matters of the heart by a Russian ballet dancer (Happy in the Morning() while Sam can't even concentrate on his weekly poker game (Sometimes a Day Goes BY).

Visiting her ex-husband and his new wife in California Tess and the other woman compare notes. (The Grass is Always Greener) Returning to New York Tess and Sam finally decide they can make it work. (We're Gonna Work it Out.) and, we are told, they lived scrappily ever after.

BTW Sam's second act solo "Sometimes a Day Goes By" is one of the loveliest songs Kander and Ebb have ever written.

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Updated On: 2/24/06 at 03:17 AM

The Woman in White

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