Dames at Sea

Dames at Sea features book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller with music by Jim Wise. The show is a parody of a flashy 1930s musical and follows an understudy who steps into a leading role on Broadway, ultimately becoming a star. It originated as a small sketch based on the Gold Diggers, and was expanded to become a full length book musical. The show had humble beginnings off-off-Broadway, and went on to upgrading to a Broadway and London run. The show marked Bernadette Peters’ Broadway début and she won a Drama Desk award for her performance.

Dames at Sea

Jim Wise

George Haimsohn and Robin Miller

George Haimsohn and Robin Miller

Jordan Hott and Jack Millstein

Neal Kenyon

Neal Kenyon

Productions
Dames at Sea Original Broadway

Original Off-Broadway Production

Caffe Cino - Opened 1 May 1966, closed 1 Jan 1970, 148 performances

Cast: Tamara Long (Mona Kent); Sally Stark (Joan); Steve Elmore (Hennessey, The Captain); Bernadette Peters (Ruby); David Christmas (Dick); Joseph R. Sicari (Lucky)

Dames at Sea Revival

Off-Broadway Production

Bouwerie Lane Theatre - Opened 20 Dec 1968, closed 1 Jan 1970, 575 performances

Dames at Sea Original London

Original London Production

Duchess Theatre - Opened 27 Aug 1969, closed 1 Jan 1970, 127 performances



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

At the dress rehearsal of a new Broadway musical, “Dames at Sea,” veteran diva Mona Kent is practicing her opening number when wide-eyed newcomer Ruby arrives at the theatre looking for a job. She has just got off a bus from her hometown in Utah and hasn’t eaten in three days. The manager, Hennessey dismisses her immediately, but one of the showgirls, Joan tells him that a girl in the chorus has just eloped with a millionaire so there is a vacancy. To save time, Hennessey gives the job to Ruby.

Excited and famished, Ruby faints and is caught by Dick, a songwriting sailor who found her suitcase and followed her to the theatre. They fall in love at first sight. When Joan takes Ruby to eat something, Mona sets her sights on Dick and he agrees to give her one of his songs to sing. One of Dick’s fellow sailors, Lucky, arrives and turns out to be the ex-boyfriend of Joan. They find their love starting to be rekindled while Ruby is falling even more in love with Dick. 

Hennessey reveals disastrous news: just before opening night, the theatre has been sold is scheduled to be demolished immediately. The cast and crew pack up the set and search for a new home. Dick and Lucky have the brilliant idea to try to convince their Captain to allow the show to be performed on the deck of their ship. He is at first resistant, but becomes convinced by Mona’s sultry dancing.

On board the ship, Mona realizes the Captain is none other than her long lost love “Kewpie Doll.” They reminisce about the evening she served him chili con carne as a small-town waitress in Pensacola. Dick arrives as the Captain leaves, and Mona, desperate for another great song, convinces him to kiss her. Ruby walks in on them and is devastated.

As rehearsals on the ship are finishing, Mona becomes violently seasick and unable to perform. The entire cast is in a panic trying to figure out who can replace her, when all eyes turn to Ruby. She manages to go on and steal the show. Afterwards, Dick explains the misunderstanding and that he loves her. They decide to get married, as do Lucky and Joan and the Captain and Mona. All three get married on the ship to a 21-gun salute.

Songs
  • Overture
  • Wall Street
  • It’s You
  • Broadway Baby
  • That Mister Man Of Mine
  • Choo-Choo Honeymoon
  • Sailor Of My Dreams, The
  • Good Times Are Here To Stay
  • Dames At Sea
  • Beguine, The
  • Raining In My Heart
  • Singapore Sue
  • There’s Something About You
  • Echo Waltz, The
  • Star Tar
  • Let’s Have A Simple Wedding
Awards

1968 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Performance (Bernadette Peters), Outstanding Director, Outstanding Lyrics

Licensing

UK: Samuel French

USA: Samuel French

 

1 thought on “Dames at Sea

  1. Steve Holmes

    Thank you for listing “Dames.” A couple of corrections. I was Technical Director of the original production. The show trialed at the Cafe Chinno, eventually opening as an expanded production at the small Off Broadway Bowery Lane Theater. It was an immediate success and moved to the larger Off Broadway Theatre De Lys, where it ran for a total of 575 performances. We, unfortunately, never made it to Broadway. Productions were done in Australia, South Africa, London, Paris, San Francisco, Boston and Washington D.C. almost immediately. It was great fun.

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