LI'L ABNER
Music by
Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Book by Norman Panama & Melvin Frank
Produced by Norman Panama, Melvin Frank & Michael Kidd
Directed by Michael Kidd
Choreography by Michael Kidd
Based on Al Capp's original comic strip
Opened on November 15, 1956 at the St. James Theater in New
York City and ran for 693 performances
The Movie version was made in 1959
(Make sure you get the Melvin
Frank/Peter Palmer version)
Synopsis
The show opens with "A Typical Day in Dogpatch," full of mayhem, murder and madness. Daisy Mae timidly suggests to Abner that it might be nice if they got married, but he would rather go fishing with his buddies. The fishing expedition is interrupted by an emergency meeting in Cornpone Square, a spot dedicated to the founder of the town, Jubilation T. Cornpone. It seems that the government has decided, after years of research, that Dogpatch is the most useless place in the country and therefore suitable for the testing of atomic bombs. The townspeople are amazed, but Mammy Yokum (Li'l Abner's mother) wants to stay where right where she is. The Dogpatch folk feel that they can find somewhere else to live, but Mammy insists they find something unique about Dogpatch, which may help to save the town.
Daisy Mae again proposes to Abner, but meets with little encouragement. Together they lament the fact that they live in an "Unnecessary Town," and all seems lost until Mammy comes up with a bottle of "Yokumberry Tonic," which is made from the fruit of the Yokumberry Tree, a tree unique to Dogpatch. This tonic has made Li'l Abner the fine male specimen he is and it proves equally useful when tried out on a visitor to Dogpatch.
With scientist Rasmussen T. Finsdale, Abner sets out for Washington for further testing of the tonic, and Dogpatch sees its future brighten. The Tonic has astonishing results on six typically "underdeveloped" males of Dogpatch. News of this amazing elixir reaches General Bullmoose, a man who looks on Herbert Hoover as a dangerous radical. At a meeting, he offers Abner a million dollars for the tonic's formula. Abner, a very patriotic young man, prefers to donate the formula to the government for the "betterment of mankind." He is not sure he wants the miliatry to have sole possession of the tonic, as it might be misused. The General decides to use Appassionata von Climax - his "ward" - to change Abner's mind.
Back home in Dogpatch, Abner and Marryin' Sam announce that the country's in the "Very Best of Hands" and preparations get under way for Sadie Hawkins Day. On this fearsome date, Dogpatch women chase the men over a course strewn with obstacles, with hopes of trapping their mates. Abner gallantly agrees to let Daisy Mae catch him to save her from having to marry Earthquake McGoon, but in the ensuing race he is trapped by Miss von Climax, thanks to the General's use of the talents of Evil Eye Fleagle.
Everyone goes back to Dogpatch, where two events are about to occur: the dropping of an atom bomb and the wedding of Daisy Mae to Earthquake McGoon, who has won her by helping to save Abner. The inhabitants refuse to leave town without their beloved statue of Jubilation T. Cornpone, and , as they are moving it, they uncover a tablet signed "A. Lincoln" which designates Dogpatch a national shrine. The plane carrying the bomb is called back. Daisy's plethora of relatives convince McGoon that he would be making a mistake in marrying Daisy Mae and he withdraws from the wedding. "The Matrimonial Stomp" brings Daisy and Abner together for our happy ending.
Song List
Act I
Act II
Info
Original Cast included: Stubby Kaye, Edith Adams, Peter Palmer, Stanley Simmonds, George Reeder, Ralph Linn, Marc Breaux, Howard St. John, Carmen Alvarez, Pat Creighton, Lillian D'Homan, Bonnie Evans, Hope Holiday and Dee Dee Wood
