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Walking Happy is a musical with music by Jimmy Van Heusen, lyrics by Sammy Cahn and book by Roger O. Hirson and Ketti Frings. The story is based on the 1916 play Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse. The musical was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Production history

The production opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 26, 1966 and ran for 161 performances. Directed by Cy Feuer with choreography by Danny Daniels. Conductor Herbert Grossman served as Music Director. The original cast recording was released by Angel Records in 1966. Cast album database castalbumdb.com

Plot synopsis

In Lancashire, England in 1880 the men of the town gather in the local pub, with much drinking. The widower Henry Hobson, owner of a boot shop, has three daughters, and he wishes them to marry. The local leader of the temperance league, George Beenstock, has two sons. The two younger Hobson daughters flirt with the Beenstock sons, while Hobson tells his eldest daughter Maggie that her time has passed. Maggie decides to make a match with Will, a skilled shoemaker, even though Will is engaged to another. Will and Maggie establish their own boot shop. Meanwhile, Hobson’s drinking continues, his young daughters try to take Maggie’s place at his shop, and Will and Maggie marry. Hobson and Beenstock settle on a dowry for the young ladies. Hobson realizes that he needs Maggie and Will, and they become partners.

Original cast and characters {| class“wikitable” style@width:50%; text-align:center”

!scope=“col“|Character!Broadway (1966)Playbill 1966 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/10/2023!Maggie HobsonLouise Troy!Will MassopNorman Wisdom!Henry Horatio HobsonGeorge Rose!Georgy BeenstockEd Bakey!Tubby WadlowGordon Dilworth!Mrs. HepworthEmma Trekman!Vickie HobsonGretchen Van Aken!Alice HobsonSharon Dierking!Albert BeenstockJames B. Spann!Freddie BeenstockMichael Berkson!Mrs. FigginsLucille Benson!Ada FigginsJane Laughlin

Songs

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Act 1

• “Think of Something Else”
• “Where Was I”
• “How D’ya Talk to a Girl”
• “Clog and Grog”
• “If I Be Your Best Chance”
• “A Joyful Thing”
• “What Makes It Happen”
• “Use Your Noggin’”

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Act 2

• “You’re Right, You’re Right”
• “I’ll Make a Man of the Man”
• “Walking Happy”
• “I Don’t Think I’m In Love”
• “Such a Sociable Sort”
• “It Might As Well Be Her”
• “People Who Are Nice”
• “You’re Right, You’re Right” (reprise)
• “I Don’t Think I’m In Love” (reprise)

{{col-end}}The title song “Walking Happy” was originally meant to be used in the 1963 film Papa’s Delicate Condition, with Jackie Gleason singing it, but it was dropped before the film’s release.

Critical response

Walter Kerr reviewed the musical for the New York Times. He wrote that the musical was “easygoing, unpretentious, minor-league...a light, slight, occasionally charming pastime.” The “principal asset” is Norman Wisdom, a “zany original”.Kerr, Walter. Review, “New York Times”, November 28, 1966, p. 47

Awards and nominations

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Original Broadway production{| class“wikitable” width“95%”

! width=“5%“| Year! width=“20%“| Award! width=“40%“| Category! width=“25%“| Nominee! width=“10%“| Result 1967 Tony Award Best Musical| {{nom}}Tony Award for Best Original Score>Best Composer and Lyricist| Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen| {{nom}}Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical>Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical| Norman Wisdom| {{nom}}Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical>Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical| Louise Troy| {{nom}}Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical>Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical| Gordon Dilworth| {{nom}}Tony Award for Best Choreography>Best Choreography| Danny Daniels| {{nom}}

References

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External links

• {{ibdb show|9145}}
• Production information and plot at guidetomusicaltheatre.com
• musicalheaven