Hit the Deck is a musical with music by Vincent Youmans, lyrics by Clifford Grey and Leo Robin and book by Herbert Fields. It was based on the 1922 play Shore Leave by Hubert Osborne. The title refers to a nautical slang term that means to prepare for action (general) or to drop to a prone position on the ground (as a defensive response to hostile fire). The musical is set in China and Newport, Rhode Island, and on a ship traveling between the two locations.
The original production was staged at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway, opening on April 25, 1927, and running for 352 performances. Charles King played Bilge and Louise Groody played Loulou. The show's co-producers were Youmans and Lew Fields, and Lew Fields co-directed with Alexander Leftwich. The production ran for 352 performances.Hit the Deck, IBDB database, accessed 16 March 2012
The first London production opened at the Hippodrome on July 3, 1927 and ran for 277 performances. It starred Stanley Holloway."Hit the Deck", The Times, 4 November 1927, p. 7 In The Manchester Guardian, Ivor Brown praised Holloway for a singing style "which coaxes the ear rather than clubbing the head."Brown, Ivor. "Hit the Deck", The Manchester Guardian, 4 November 1927, p. 15
Songs Act I Join the Navy – Loulou, Gobs and Girls What's a Kiss Among Friends? – Toddy, Charlotte, Alan and Girls Harbor of My Heart – Loulou and Bilge Shore Leave – Chorus Lucky Bird – Lavinia Looloo – Loulou and Boys Why, Oh Why? – Charlotte and Chorus Sometimes I'm Happy (Sometimes I'm Blue) – Loulou and Bilge
Act II Hallelujah! – Lavinia and Chorus Hallelujah! (reprise) – Lavinia Looloo (reprise) – Loulou and Boys Utopia – Loulou and Bunny
Film adaptations
Two films based on the musical were made. The first was in 1930 and stars Jack Oakie. It was remade in 1955 with a slightly different screenplay and differently named characters. It stars Jane Powell and Tony Martin.
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