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About Us » History & Archives » 2008: Dames at Sea
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"Dames at Sea" was part of GEVA's TheatreFest in 2008.
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Book and lyrics by George Haimsohn & Robin Miller
Music by Jim Wise
Artistic Director: Pam Marsocci
Musical Director: Harold McAulliffe
Choreographer: Shelly West Thompson
Performances at GEVA Theater's NextStage were held on:
June 13, 7:30 p.m.
June 14, 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
June 15, 3:00 p.m.
June 19, 7:30 p.m.
June 20, 7:30 p.m.
June 21, 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
June 22, 3:00 p.m.
June 26, 7:30 p.m.
June 27, 7:30 p.m.
June 28, 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
June 29, 3:00 p.m.
The Story
Dames at Sea is good-natured spoof of the Hollywood movie musicals of the 1930s. The show begins at a rehearsal of a Broadway show Dames at Sea. Theatre diva and star, Mona Kent, is rehearsing the opening number. Ruby, a fresh-faced innocent who just got off the bus from mid-America, arrives on the scene with hopes of appearing on Broadway. She is befriended by Joan, the more experienced chorus girl with a heart of gold. When the harried director Hennessey learns that one of his chorus girls eloped that very morning, he offers Ruby a job.
Our heroine Ruby, weak from hunger and lack of sleep, faints right into the arms of Dick, a handsome sailor. Of course he and Ruby fall in love right on the spot. Dick, as it also happens, is a songwriter. When Joan takes Ruby to get a much needed meal, Mona makes the moves on Dick, hoping to claim him and his songs. Dick, being star-struck and a bit naïve, gives Mona one of his songs to perform.
Lucky, who is a sailor friend of Dick's, also arrives. We discover that he and Joan already have a relationship. Finding their love rekindled, they imagine their honeymoon. Ruby returns and decides to write a letter to President Roosevelt to tell him of her love for a certain sailor and the Navy in general. Hennessey finally divulges the details of his anguish. He announces the theatre has been sold and is scheduled for demolition. Opening night is only a few hours away. The company perseveres, singing of their determination while the wrecking ball stands by to tear down the theatre.
Dick and Lucky have a great idea on how to save the show. Dames At Sea should be staged at sea on the deck of their battleship! Now all they have to do is figure out how to convince their Captain to let the show go on. When their efforts fail, Mona steps in. The Captain is her former lover, and she reminds him of their passionate affair under the moon in Pensacola, Florida. The Captain capitulates.
Dick arrives as the Captain leaves. In hopes of wheedling more songs from Dick, Mona attempts to seduce Dick and captures him in a kiss. At that very moment, Ruby enters. When she sees the kiss, she becomes heartsick.
As the rehearsals continue onboard and the opening curtain draws closer, Mona becomes sea sick and has to drop out of the show. What will they do now? Who could step in for the star at this late moment? Everyone turns to Ruby. Will she do it? "I’ll try," says she. Of course, she goes on and is a big success: the next big Broadway star.
She and Dick reconcile and kiss. The wedding is on. Not to be outdone, Joan and Lucky and Mona and the Captain also agree to a "Simple Wedding." The show ends with the wedding of all three couples.
The Songs
Click on the song titles to hear a sample of the song from the iTunes Music Store.
"The Beguine" - Mona and the Captain
"Broadway Baby" - Dick
"Choo-Choo Honeymoon" - Joan and Lucky
"Dames At Sea" - Company
"The Echo Waltz" - Mona, Joan, Ruby and Company
"Good Times Are Here To Stay" - Joan and Company
"It's You" - Dick and Ruby
"Let's Have A Simple Wedding" - Company
"Raining In My Heart" - Ruby and Chorus
"The Sailor of My Dreams" – Ruby and Girls
"Star Tar" - Ruby and Company
"That Mister Of Mine" - Mona and Chorus
"There's Something About You" - Dick and Ruby
"Wall Street" – Mona and Girls
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