Director's Notes

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42nd Street is a big, bold musical set in 1933, that celebrates the stuff that dreams are made of. The curtain rises on Andy Lee, the dance director who is auditioning kids for the chorus of "Pretty Lady." The show's writers, Bert and Maggie, are pleased with what they see onstage, but they warn the dancers that at $4.40 per seat, the audience will demand some spectacular dancing. While she has gathered up her courage for an hour at the stage door, young Peggy Sawyer has missed the audition. Billy, the romantic lead, tries to help her see the producer.

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The director, Julian Marsh, has no patience for latecomers and Peggy rushes off the stage. Meanwhile, Bert and Maggie try to encourage Julian about the show's prospects of success. He is worried about some of the cast, especially Dorothy Brock, the leading lady. Her last his was ten years earlier, but her sugar daddy, Abner Dillon, is backing the show.

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"Pretty Lady" opens spectacularly with such numbers as "We're in the Money." Then Dorothy rushes onstage to lead the Act 1 finale. Dorothy is accidentally knocked down by Peggy and can't get up. A furious Julian fires Peggy and cancels the rest of the performances. Act II opens with a doctor telling Julian that Dorothy's ankle is broken. Fear and panic spread through the cast. Julian says he will close "Pretty Lady" for good. Julian finally agrees that Peggy might be able to take over for Dorothy. Peggy has already left for the train station and Julian runs after her. Julian convinces Peggy to return.

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Peggy has 36 hours to learn 26 pages, 6 songs and 10 dance numbers. As Julian says, by next evening, he'll either have a leading lady or a dead chorus girl. At long last, the Broadway curtain opens on "Pretty Lady," and the show is a hit.