Best Foot Forward

Just for fun, prep school student Bud Hooper writes a fan letter asking his idol, Hollywood actress Gale Joy, to come to Philadelphia to be his partner at the junior prom. His school is Winsocki Military Academy. Jack Haggerty, the actress’ manager in Hollywood, sees an opportunity for publicity and advises Gale to accept Bud’s invitation. The appearance of the famous star at Winsocki is greeted with excitement, and Bud abandons his own girl Helen Schlessinger to accompany Gale to the ball. Out of jealousy, Helen tears Gale’s sash while she is dancing, which causes a riot. Others begin to tear off pieces of Gale’s clothes as well, but only to gain souvenirs from the famous star.

The boys hide Gale in their dormitory, where farcical comings and goings ensue. The school regards the incident as a scandal, and Bud is now in danger of being expelled. Gale and Jack try to avoid furore and go back to Hollywood. After Bud and Helen settle their arguments and any other problems are solved, everything at Winsocki goes back to normal.

BEST FOOT FORWARD
A Musical Comedy
Book by John Cecil Holm
Music and Lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

Such credits to the authors for all purposes shall be in type size equal to or greater than that of any other credits except for that of the star(s) above the title. In the programs, the credits shall appear on the title page thereof.

The title page of the program shall contain the following announcement in type size at least one-half the size of the authors’ credits:

BEST FOOT FORWARD
is presented by arrangement with
Tams-Witmark, A Concord Theatricals Company
www.tamswitmark.com

Additionally, you agree to include the above language hyperlinked to https://tamswitmark.com/ on all websites on which you promote the play.

Full Orchestration

2 Violin A
1 Violin B
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass

1 Reed I: Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
1 Reed II: Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone & Baritone Saxophone
1 Reed III: Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
1 Reed IV: Flute, Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
1 Reed V: Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone

2 Trumpet I & II
1 Trumpet III
1 Trombone I
1 Trombone II
1 Trombone III

1 Percussion:

Timpani (2)
Snare Drums (2 sizes)
Bass Drum
Tom Tom (2 sizes)
Cymbals (2 suspended)
Hi-Hat
Gong
Bells
Vibraphone
Xylophone
Triangle
Wood Block
Cowbell
Wind Whistle
Temple Blocks
Tambourine
Castanets
Door Slam Effect
Auto Horn

1 Guitar
Piano-Celeste (Piano-Conductor’s Score sent with rehearsal material)

Rehearsal Materials

2       Piano/Conductor Scores
20     Libretto/Vocal Books

(In Order of Appearance)

Dutch Miller
Fred Jones
Freshman
Junior
Hunk Hoyt
Satchel Moyer
Goofy Clark
Chuck Green
Dr. Reeber
Old Grad
Minerva
Ethel
Miss Ferguson
Blind Date
Bud Hooper
Professor Lloyd
Waitress
Jack Haggerty
Gale Joy
Chester Billings
Helen Schlessinger
Professor Williams
Dancing Girls
Singing Girls
Dancing Boys
Singing Boys

BEST FOOT FORWARD opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, October 1, 1941, and played for 326 performances starring Maureen Stratton, Rosemary Lane and Gil Stanton, Jr. It was revived off-Broadway in 1963 at Stage 73 Theatre starring Liza Minnelli and Christopher Walken.