Vinton Freedley (November 5, 1891 – June 5, 1969) was an American theater and television producer known for his productions of the works of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and television shows such as Talent Jackpot and Showtime U.S.A..
Early life and education Freedley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated Harvard University in 1914 where he was a member of The Delphic Club and The Hasty Pudding. He later attended The University of Pennsylvania where he earned a JD degree. He became a member of the theatrical club The Lambs in 1918 He was an Episcopalian and was president of the Episcopal Actors Guild from 1943 to 1968.https://www.actorsguild.org/officers-and-council.html
Producing Soon after graduating college, Freedley met Alexander A. Aarons with whom he formed a long term producing partnership. Their first major hit was Lady Be Good! (1924) with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin and featuring Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire. Over the next ten years the pair produced some of the most important works in the Broadway musical canon, featuring some of the most famous songs ever to emerge from the Tin Pan Alley era, part of what is commonly referred to as "The Great American Songbook." The shows that followed included Tip-Toes (1925), Oh, Kay! (1926), and Funny Face (1927), again starring the Astaires. All the scores were written by the Gershwins. In 1928 Aarons and Freedley produced Here's Howe, featuring the music of Gus Kahn, Joseph Meyer, and Irving Caesar; Hold Everything!, with a score by Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown; and Treasure Girl, with music by the Gershwins. In 1929 followed Spring Is Here and Heads Up!, both with songs by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Another Gershwin hit was Girl Crazy (1930). The partnership ended in 1932. Freedley produced 30 shows total on Broadway.
Alvin Theatre Aarons and Freedley built the Alvin Theatre, today known as the Neil Simon Theatre. It is a Broadway theater on 52nd Street in New York City with a capacity that fluctuates between 1400 and 1500 depending on the seating configuration. The theatre was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp. The original name is a portmanteau of the names of the two producers: Alex Aarons and Vinton Freedley.
Broadway productions
ProductionTypeYearAuthorsGreat to be Alive Musical, Original1950A. Ellstein & Robert Russell Bennett (m); W. Bullock & S. Regan (b); Bullock (l) The Young and the Fair Play, Original 1948N. Richard Nash Mister Roberts Play, Original 1948Thomas Heggen & Joshua LoganMemphis BoundMusical, Original1945D. Walker & C. Warnick (m&l); A.W. Barker & S. Benson (b)JackpotMusical, Original1944Vernon Duke (m); Howard Dietz (l); Guy Bolton, Sidney Sheldon & B. Roberts (b)Let's Face It!Musical, Original1941Cole Porter (m&l); Herbert Fields & Dorothy Fields (b)Delicate StoryPlay, Original1940by: Ferenc Molnár; Translation by Gilbert MillerCabin in the SkyMusical, Original1940Vernon Duke (m); Lynn Root (b); J. La Touche (l)LiliomPlay, Revival1940by: Ferenc Molnár; adapted by Benjamin GlazerLeave It to Me!Musical, Original1938Cole Porter (m&l); Bella Spewack & Sam Spewack (b)Miss QuisPlay, Original1937 Ward MorehouseRed, Hot and BlueMusical, Original1936Cole Porter (m&l)Anything GoesMusical, Original1934Cole Porter (m&l); Howard Lindsay, Russell Crouse (b)Pardon My EnglishMusical, Original1933George and Ira Gershwin (m&l); Herbert Fields (b)Adam Had Two SonsPlay, Original1932John McDermottSingin' the BluesPlay w/Music1931Jimmy McHugh, Burton Lane (m); John McGowan (b);Dorothy Fields, Harold Adamson (l)Girl CrazyMusical, Original1930George and Ira Gershwin (m&l); Guy Bolton, John McGowan (b)Heads UpMusical, Original1929Richard Rodgers (m); Lorenz Hart (l); J. McGowan, P.G. Smith (b)Spring is HereMusical, Original1929Richard Rodgers (m); Lorenz Hart (l); Owen Davis (b)Treasure GirlMusical, Original1929George Gershwin (m); Ira Gershwin (l);Fred Thompson, Vincent Lawrence (b)Hold Everything!Musical, Original1929Ray Henderson (m); Lew Brown, B.G. DeSylva (l); John McGowan, DeSylva (b)Here's HoweMusical, Original1928Roger Wolfe, Joseph Myer (m); Irving Caesar (l); Fred Thompson, Paul Gerard Smith (b)Oh, Kay!Musical, Revival1928George and Ira Gershwin (m&l); Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse (b)Funny FaceMusical, Original1927George and Ira Gershwin (m&l);Fred Thompson, Paul Gerard Smith (b)Oh, Kay!Musical, Original1926George and Ira Gershwin (m&l); Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse (b)Tip-ToesMusical, Original1925George and Ira Gershwin (m&l); Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson (b)Lady, Be Good!Musical, Original1924George and Ira Gershwin (m&l); Guy Bolton, Fred Thompson (b)The New PoorPlay, Original1924ElsieMusical, Original1923The World We Live InPlay, Original1922For Goodness SakeMusical, Original1922Miss MillionsPlay, Original1919L'ElevationPlay, Original1917
Television Showtime, U.S.A., TV Series 1950, Emcee Talent Jackpot, TV Series 1949, Emcee Stage Door Canteen, 1943 A Dangerous Affair, 1919
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