Swinging on a Star is a musical revue, featuring the music of Johnny Burke, with the lyrics by Burke and the music by Burke and several of his partners, such as Erroll Garner and Jimmy Van Heusen. The name of the revue is from the Oscar-winning song that Burke wrote with Jimmy Van Heusen for the 1944 film Going My Way.
Productions
Swinging on a Star premiered at the George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, New Jersey, on April 16, 1994, running to May 1994. The revue was conceived, written and directed by Michael Leeds, with costumes by Judy Dearing, sets by Deborah Jasien and choreography by Kathleen Marshall. The cast featured Michael McGrath, Alton Fitzgerald White, Kathy Fitzgerald and Lewis Cleale.
The revue was next produced at the Goodspeed Opera House, Connecticut in 1995.
The show opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on October 22, 1995 and closed on January 13, 1996 after 96 performances and 19 previews. Directed by Michael Leeds and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, it featured Michael McGrath, Teresa Burrell, Lewis Cleale, Denise Faye, Eugene Fleming, Kathy Fitzgerald, and Alvaleta Guess.
Synopsis and songs
Each segment showed a different time and place.
Act I
Speakeasy-Chicago (1920s) You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew Chicago Style Ain't It a Shame About Mame What's New? Doctor Rhythm
Depression-The Bowery
Pennies from Heaven
When Stanislaus Got Married
His Rocking Horse Ran Away
Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Radio Show- New York City (1940s) Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore Scatterbrain One, Two, Button Your Shoe What Does It Take to Make You Take to Me? Irresistible An Apple for the Teacher
USO Show-The Pacific Islands
Thank Your Lucky Stars and Stripes
Personality
There's Always the Blues
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Swinging on a Star
Stars and Stripes
Act II
Ballroom
Don't Let That Moon Get Away
All You Want to Do Is Dance
You Danced with Dynamite
Imagination
It Could Happen to You
Road To... Road To Morocco Apalachicola, FLA You Don't Have to Know the Language Going My Way Shadows on the Swanee Pakistan Road to Morocco (Reprise)
Supper Club (1950s) But Beautiful Like Someone in Love Moonlight Becomes You If Love Ain't There (It Ain't There) Sunday, Monday, or Always Misty Here's That Rainy Day Pennies from Heaven (Reprise) Swinging on a Star (Reprise)
Sources "Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical" (1996), Johnny Burke, Joe Bushkin, Michael Leeds, pp. 4 and 7, ; Guide to Musical Theatre; IBDB.com