Information

Show Credits: Book by Howard Lindsay
Music by Harold Karr
Lyrics by Matt Dubey
Book by Russel Crouse

Description: Mama Rose meets “The Hostess With The Mostes’ On The Ball” in HAPPY HUNTING.

When Liz Livingstone--rich, widowed Philadelphia hostess with a heart of gold--perceives a snub at the Grace Kelly-Prince Rainier "Wedding of the Year" in Monaco, she single-mindedly sets out to snare an even more impressively titled husband for her daughter. Things get predictably complicated when she succeeds and then promptly falls for her intended son-in-law herself! Meanwhile, the bride-to-be only has eyes for the society lawyer, and Liz’s dashing Duke turns out to be very possibly penniless.

HAPPY HUNTING was a star vehicle written for the incomparable Ethel Merman. It features a gag-filled book by the authors of ANYTHING GOES and a delectable score featuring the Merman classic, “Mutual Admiration Society.” Celebrating the American mother (in full war paint!), HAPPY HUNTING is a huge, flamboyant, bubbly, light-hearted romp!

Accolades/
Awards: Merman and Lamas were both Tony nominees, as was Virgina Gibson, who played Beth. Unfortunately for Happy Hunting, the 1957 awards were swept with My Fair Lady fever.

Insight from the experts Staging Tip: Script suggests heightened use of gauzy scrims, etc.: Outside the palace in Monaco, two hotel suites, a hotel terrace, riverside, a ship's bar, the afterdeck of the ship, Liz's estate and stables, outside the Hunt Club, the forest, Liz's bedroom, the Hunt Ball. Many sets can be creatively combined. : A horse's head and rump which can nod or shake through a stable door. It was originally a real horse trained to answer "yes" and "no." Non-crucial appearance of a live toy dog. There's also call for pre-taped lines to be played back during the performance. The script provides a good solution for how to make it appear as if Liz is thrown from her horse. Try, if you can, to get a real horse for Act Two, Scene Two. If'n it can't really nod on cue, the bit will still be funny. Audiences won't mind; they just love seeing large animals on a stage. Cast Liz wisely. Her charisma is important to the show. Read the perusal with an eye for toss-away gags and brief bits. Lindsay and Crouse were consummate Broadway writers and have built in hilarity you might not have notice at first glance.