Baroness Fiddlesticks

The Baroness Fiddlesticks is a two-act 1904 Broadway musical with a book by George de Long.[1][2][3] It was directed by Al M. Holbrook.[4] The show's music was composed by Emil Bruguiere, with lyrics by de Long.[1][2] The show opened on November 21, 1904, and ran for 25 performances at the Casino Theatre before closing on December 10, 1904.[2][5]

The show took place in contemporary England and was billed as "a musical satire on society".[3] Harry Lehr asked that his name be removed from one of the show's songs.[6]

Production

The show was mired in controversy, mostly surrounding eighteen-year-old Anna Fitzhugh being cast in the show's titular role.[3] One financial backer objected to her casting, and she was removed from the show by the end of its first week on Broadway.[3] However, the other cast members supported Fitzhugh, saying she had been "very badly used".[3] Many of the cast members put in their two-week notice by November 25.[3] At the same time, conductor Arthur Weld had resigned.[3]

Synopsis

London musical hall entertainer Patrina is invited to a house party at Mashaway's country estate.[3] However, she decides to attend the event as the Baroness Fiddlesticks.[3] Mashaway, who wants to make his name as a member of the stock exchange, comes at odds with Patrina's masquerade.[3]

Cast
Character 1904 Broadway[4]
Patrina/Baroness Fiddlesticks Anna Fitzhugh
Mashaway John E. Henshaw
Maurel Trenchant Tony Asher
Geraldine Nella Bergen
Mrs. McGurk Mary Ten Broeck
Isabelle Toby Claude
Cholly Walter A. Cluxton
Marionetta Anna Johnston
Jenkins Gustav Koldovski
Archer Richie Ling
Jack Elkins Alden McClaskie
Monty Edna McClure
The Duchess of Reelboro Minnie Methot
Algy Mae Sherwood

Songs

The order of songs is unknown, and they are thus presented alphabetically.[3][7]

  • At a Fancy Costume Ball (Isabelle)
  • Could You But Know
  • Daphne Sue
  • Heigh Ho
  • I'm Just about as I Ought to Be (Mashaway)
  • Imogen
  • Listen to the Night a-Singing (Geraldine)
  • Mr. Bugaboo (Isabelle)
  • Rachel O'Toole
  • Seeing New York (Mashaway)
  • Something or Other Sue
  • Spring (Geraldine)
  • To Arms! Hear the Cry! (Archer)
  • Tra-la-la-la
  • What's the Use of Kisses
  • When I Drop 'Round (Patrina)
  • When You Don't Know
  • When You Love a Little Girl

Reception

The New York Evening World praised Bruguiere's score as "worthwhile" saying that he "would undoubtedly have been able to get [the show] produced even if he had been broke". Brooklyn Life, the Galveston Daily News, and the Louisville Courier-Journal also praised the show's music. Both the Daily Times and Evening World papers were critical of the show's book.[3]

The New York Times called the show "a decided hit" and praised its costuming.[3]

Fitzhugh and the rest of the cast generally seemed to garner positive reviews.[3]

References
  1. "The Baroness Fiddlesticks - 1904 Broadway - Creative Team". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  2. "The Baroness Fiddlesticks". Playbill. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  3. Dietz, Dan (2022). The Complete Book of 1900s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 259–260. ISBN 978-1-5381-6894-3. OCLC 1334889961.
  4. "The Baroness Fiddlesticks Original Broadway Musical Cast 1904". Broadway World. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  5. "The Baroness Fiddlesticks - 1904 Broadway - Backstage & Production Info". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  6. "HARRY LEHR OBJECTS.; Doesn't Like Use of Name in a Musical Comedy". The New York Times. 1904-11-24. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  7. "Heigh ho : from Baroness Fiddlesticks - Quartex site". digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
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