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My Favorite Year

Book by James Dougherty
Music & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Opened December 10, 1992 at the Vivien Beaumont Theatre, (New York) and ran for 37 performances.

Synopsis

ACT I

After the overture, an eager young man in his mid-twenties appears standing alone in a single white light on an empty stage. He tells us that his name is Benjy Stone, and he's going to tell us not about his best year. Not the year he had most success. His favorite year - 1954. This was the year he made the jump from smart ass kid from the deli pushing a joke with every cruller, to freshman writer on TVs hottest show: "The King Kaiser Comedy Cavalcade" which went on the air every Saturday night at 8PM - live!

Suddenly, a stage manager's voice yells "five minutes" and we are transformed into Studio 6B of the RCA Building five minutes before airtime. ("20 Million People") Here, we, the audience, get to see the show that was never aired - "the show before the show" - complete with screaming producers, flying costumes, last minute rehearsals, etc. It is here that we meet the characters for the rest of the play: King Kaiser, star of "Comedy Cavalcade"; Sy Benson, head writer; Alice Miller and Herb Lee, two other writers; K.C. Downing, assistant to the producer, Belle Steinberg, Benjy's mother who calls to remind him that he's coming over for dinner tomorrow, and just about anybody else you can imagine who might be involved in the pre-production of a live TV show. The stage is set.

In the next scene, Benjy takes us to Monday morning at the RCA Building where all the writers are meeting to plan next week's show. Benjy delivers food and coffee for everyone. As they are all eating and talking, they suddenly get the word that King Kaiser ("the star") is coming down the hallway. The food is hidden and everyone tries to appear the very model of efficiency and professionalism. You see, King hates eating in the office. He informs the writers that they don't have Martha Raye to guest star next week - instead it's going to be Alan Swann - a used-to-be-famous actor who now is a bit down on his luck. King wants a funny sketch written for Mr. Swann, and by God he's going to get it. As the other writers fight over what the sketch should be, Benjy steps alone and tells us that he is destined to write the sketch for Alan Swann. He just wasn't any movie star! He was Benjy's favorite star - a swashbuckling hero of RKO whose movies he watched as a kid. Benjy has even dreamed that in reality he isn't some stupid kid whose father got tired of him and walked out, but rather that he is the bastard son of Alan Swann. ("Larger Than Life")

Later at the writers' office, everyone is a bit panicked because they don't know where Alan Swann is. It appears that his plane landed; however, they can't find him. King also isn't happy with any of the sketches that Sy has shown him. As things get a bit tense, Benjy suddenly jumps in and primes Sy to tell King about the "other" new sketch he was working on. In reality, Sy is devoid of any other ideas, but simply follows Benjy's lead as he tells everyone about his idea. ("The Musketeer Sketch") It is a swash-buckling adventure sketch - just like one of Swann's movies. This is the sketch Benjy always dreamed of writing, and by the end of his and Sy's telling of the tale (involving everyone else in the office) King is thrilled. He thinks it's dynamite and congratulates Sy. Even though Sy had nothing to do with it, he still takes all the credit.

Suddenly, the door flies open and Alan Swann appears. He's a man in his fifties well dressed but a bit worn around the edges. He is handsome, albeit well traveled. He is also incredibly drunk - so drunk that he actually passes out cold right in front of them. Just what are they going to do? King tells them to dump him, but Benjy rushes forward with a "no!" - saying that they owe Swann this show. He's a star - a hero. After a bit of coaxing, King decides to give him one more chance, but he also puts Benjy personally in charge of him. He wants Swann at every rehearsal - sober - or else!

Later at the Waldorf, K.C. and Benjy are reporting to the office that everything is under control. Swann is tucked away in bed. As they survey Swann's luggage, they find a whole bunch of liquor bottles. K.C. feels that what Swann did was not professional; however, Benjy thinks all should be forgiven. After all, he is a big Hollywood star. Benjy loves the idea of all the Hollywood glamour, though K.C. sees it as trivial. Benjy asks her if she's ever dreamed about being a star - she says no. He sweeps her off her feet pretending that he's Alan Swann and she's Rita Hayworth. It's obvious that Benjy has his eye on this attractive young lady. Unfortunately, the doorbell sounds. A voice says "room service"; however, in reality it's Benjy's mom, Belle, and her Filipino husband, Rookie Carroca. She enters with a chafing dish of food. She called the office and they told her where he really was. She just had to see this big Hollywood star! K.C., feeling that her job is done, leaves the Waldorf while Belle makes herself at home. Rookie goes out to inspect the terrace while Benjy and Belle talk. Benjy tells her that she needs to leave; however, she has other matters to discuss with him. First, she wants Benjy to invite Swann over for dinner so Rookie - Benjy's stepfather - can make him one of his famous Filipino dishes. Benjy doesn't want to hear anything about Rookie being his stepfather - it's obvious he feels ashamed of him. Belle feels Benjy just isn't making an effort to know Rookie. Rookie is actually a very worldly person - just like Alan Swann. He held the bantamweight title for well over six months. ("Rookie in the Ring") Finally, after all the pressure Benjy decides to invite Swann over for dinner.

Benjy says good-bye to his mother and turns around to find a fully recovered Alan Swann looking elegant in his dinner jacket. The two talk and Benjy plays the adoring fan who has seen all of Alan Swann's pictures - 58 to be exact. Swann searches the room for alcohol, but can't find any. Benjy tells him that he needs to abstain - or else Benjy's going to lose is job. Swann promises to abstain while in Benjy's care. Anyway, there are other intoxicants besides alcohol - one being the city that never sleeps. ("Manhattan") The two of them go out on the town, and Benjy keeps losing Swann as they travel around. The movie star picks up a tally of women - many of whom are offering him drinks. Benjy does his best to keep Swann out of trouble.

Unfortunately, the next day in the Broadcast Studio, all the writers are reading the headline story: "Swann hauled in for disturbing the peace naked in Bethesda Fountain with three Rockettes and the Mayor's niece!" King is angry as can be and threatens Benjy. Benjy tells him that the police are simply treating the incident like a parking ticket - no big deal. Anyway, Swann was sober when it happened. They argue more about "the washed up actor" and Swann enters and completely charms the entire staff - especially the cranky King. Swann and King get to be like great pals with King even revealing his superstitions to Swann. ("The Gospel According To King")

After this, the rehearsal for the show ("The Musketeer Sketch") begins. At first, utter confusion reigns especially when Swann's sword-fighting opponent doesn't show up. Fortunately, Benjy is there to act as a stand-in - though after a bit of rehearsal, it is pretty obvious that he doesn't have "it." As they break for lunch, Swann tells Benjy that he, too, can become a sword-fighting hero. In reality, Swann was at one time Clarence Duffy, a simple guy who transformed himself into a film star. Swann coaches Benjy and helps him learn the ropes - so to speak. Eventually, the "real" sword-fighter arrives and takes the sword from Benjy. Rehearsals continue, and Benjy tells us that everything came together by Friday. Benjy also notices K.C. completely smitten with Swann as he flirts with her. Acting on a jealous impulse, he embarrasses her and she runs off. Benjy goes off to chase her, but Swann stops him telling him not to chase after her so quickly - "give her the illusion of being chased."

K.C. has run off to the ladies' room, and Benjy follows her there. She tells him to get out, but he wants to know what's been going on between her and Swann. Alice, in a stall, is overhearing the entire conversation - also putting in her two cents. Benjy doesn't care who hears him - he wants to ask out K.C. He offers her a ring, a car - anything just so they can have a second date - even though their first date was a disaster. K.C. forces Benjy out, and Alice emerge from her stall. K.C. tells Alice about her first date with Benjy - he was a complete gentleman except that he kept making jokes. Alice tells her that it's only natural - that's what all joke writers do. K.C. sees this as just another job - not just all jokes. The problem is that K.C. doesn't feel she herself is funny. Alice tells her that, of course, she's probably funny, and even offers to coach her. Unfortunately, after K.C. demonstrates some of her humor, Alice informs her that maybe she better try taking accordion lessons. ("Funny / The Joke")

Back in the Broadcast Studio, they are finishing the rehearsal for the Musketeer Sketch. Everything seems to be just great! It's all in place for the full dress rehearsal tomorrow at 5PM sharp. Benjy awkwardly approaches Swann and asks him to dinner at his mother's house in Brooklyn. He accepts and goes off to get changed while Benjy waits. With that, a young and pretty sixteen-year-old girl enters with a letter she wants Benjy to give Swann. It's not a fan letter - it's an invitation for her school's reception at the Plaza. Benjy puts the letter in his pocket and promises to give it to Swann - though the entire matter seems a bit confusing. The young girl leaves.

The scene shifts to Belle's Brooklyn apartment. Uncle Morty is reading the daily paper. Rookie is there wearing his best iridescent wine colored suit. The doorbell buzzes and Benjy and Swann are welcomed at first by Uncle Morty, Rookie, and a beauty parlor groomed Belle who makes a dazzling entrance. ("Welcome to Brooklyn") They even get another surprise when Aunt Sadie arrives wearing her wedding gown - a nice dress she's only worn once before. The biggest surprise of all happens when Sadie lets the entire neighborhood have a look at a "real Hollywood star."

They all have dinner - Swann charms Belle and everyone else there. After dinner Swann talks with Belle about a wonderful loving family life - how it's something he's never found. However, he does have a daughter, Tess, who lives with her mother in Connecticut. He hasn't seen her in three years - and is a bit ashamed of that. While clearing the table, Benjy overhears this conversation and gives Swann the "fan letter" he received earlier. Actually, it's an invitation from Tess for him join her at her school's reception tonight. Knowing the truth, Benjy is shocked that Swann hasn't seen his daughter in three years - by his own choice. He can't believe that Swann would do this since in one of his most famous film, "Wayward Honeymoon" he didn't do that. Swann gets upset with Benjy saying "life isn't the movies." ("If the World were Like the Movies") After this, Belle appears with a bottle of champagne of which Swann gladly accepts a large glass. He's ready to drown his sorrows, while feeling ashamed of himself at the same time.

ACT II

We're now in the middle of Central Park the same night - it's a little after midnight. A drunken Swann charges on - Benjy at his heels. Swann keeps insisting that he go to the Plaza so he can see his daughter at her school reception. This isn't making any sense! He wants to make a grand entrance and see his darling daughter - though Benjy feels right now that an exit would be a much better idea. Yes, an exit would definitely be better for Swann. He's been making them all his life. ("Exits") Every wife, friend, co-worker, etc. has been told to exit or as exited on his/her own. He tells Benjy that tomorrow he'll be sober and will know all the reasons why he shouldn't see his daughter - so as long as she's asking for him tonight at the Plaza, he's got to go - with or without Benjy!

Benjy does take Swann to the Plaza, and he makes a scene there with the doorman and in the course of it finds out that he is too late for the school reception. The party is winding down, though Benjy tries to lead Swann back to the Waldorf, he tries to get past the Doorman who won't let the drunken Alan Swann "make a scene." Well, actually, a scene is made when Swann takes a swing at the doorman and is ultimately pinned to the ground. The doorman tells Benjy that he's got ten seconds to get the drunk out - or else he's calling the cops. Many people coming out of the Plaza see the "scene" - including Swann's daughter, Tess. As Swann stands up, she looks at him and Swann is unable to say anything to her. When Benjy asks him "why?" He says he's "forgotten the lines."

In Swann's room at the Waldorf, shortly before dawn, ex-prize fighting champ Rookie has just finished attending to Swann's cuts and bruises. Rookie came over as soon as Benjy called. Benjy has never given Rookie, his stepfather, the chance to help out like this, and he's very grateful for all that he has done. As Rookie leaves, Benjy gives him two front row tickets for tonight�s big show - starring Alan Swann. K.C. enters. It appears that Benjy has called K.C. over to help him out with this emergency. Yes, Swann will be fine for tonight's show as long as he doesn't have anything else to drink. K.C. has to watch him for a few hours while Benjy goes off to do something. It's also crucial that no one else at the office find out about last evening's activities. After a bit of quarreling with the two pointing the finger at each other for a variety of reasons, K.C. tells Benjy that she is basically sick of him always running around playing practical jokes on her and everyone else. Benjy finally comes right out and tells K.C. that he's crazy about her. In fact, she's a goddess. K.C. having never seen this sensitive side of Benjy doesn't quite know how to take this new Benjy. Rather than try and figure it out right now, Benjy suggests they just have a "whirl around the dance floor." ("Shut Up and Dance") They finally end up in each other's arms locked in a passionate kiss/embrace. He leaves her to watch Swann. She even promises to get Swann to the studio on time in case Benjy is late.

We go a last minute rehearsal for the show. King and Alice are rehearsing a hobo number. ("Professional Showbizness Comedy") King has promised Alice one gag for tonight's show; however, during the rehearsal he keeps stepping on all of her funny lines. Alice finally stops the music and says that she is not continuing until she gets the one gag. King lets her have her gag and she does indeed. A bunch of clowns enter and bind and "gag" King. She's finally got her big chance to shine - alone! She tells a series of jokes, does a fun little strip number with a long glove, and finally finishes with a tambourine and kick-line of clowns. Everyone likes the number - even the surprised King. In fact, he wants them to do it just that way tonight when the show goes on the air.

The floor manager announces that they are going on the air in "five minutes." Benjy enters with Swann who is all dressed up in his Musketeer costume. Swann thanks K.C. for keeping him company all day. Swann has made plenty of pictures having a terrible hangover, so why should today be any different? Everything seems to be perfect! Perfect for a "live" television show. The only problem is that Swann has never performed on live television and he's beginning to have second thoughts. Also, to further complicate matters, Belle has come backstage to not only tell "Swannee" how great he looks, but also how beautiful his daughter is who's sitting next to her in the first row. Belle leaves and Swann confronts Benjy - blaming him for bringing Tess to the show. Benjy confesses. No sooner than he does then Swann announces that he's not doing the show. He's been "duped and cruelly tricked." Everyone sees this scene, but Benjy promises to make everything work out. He'll go and talk with Swann. Meanwhile the show begins.

Back stage in Swann's dressing room, Benjy enters to find Swann searching for and finding his last hidden pint. Swann has no interest in talking with Benjy and asks him to simply "remove himself." Benjy tries reasoning with him. He tells him not to only do the show because he has to, but also because he finally has a chance to make it up to his daughter - she still loves him. Swann tells him that unfortunately, life isn't like the movies. ("The Lights Come Up") Swann knows when to make an exit - and he does.

On stage, the set for the Musketeer sketch is moving into position and everyone is in their places. The sketch begins and when it comes time for Swann's entrance, he isn't there. Finally, after what seems to be an eternity of waiting for this heroic entrance, Alan Swann appears through the audience and surprises everyone - including the actors. Swann fights and acts the scene like never before - all the cameramen are trying to keep up with him. All in all, the sketch is a rousing success.

Amidst all this chaos, Benjy steps forward so happy he was able to share these memories with us - the audience. ("My Favorite Year") Little by little the studio dissolves and only the people Benjy really loved are with him on stage. Swann leaves his adoring throngs and comes to Benjy - asking him to keep his sword. Tess runs to her father's arms. The entire company surrounds this magical moment.

Oh, and yes, before it's completely over, Belle has to step forward and have what she thinks will be the last word: "Tell me Benjamin. Do you think a mother will ever see the name of a real person go across the TV one day?" Above the stage, the words "Written by Benjamin Steinberg" appear.

Song List

Overture
Twenty Million People
Larger Than Life
Musketeer Sketch, The
Rookie In The Ring
Manhattan
Naked In Bethesda Fountain
Gospel According To King, The
Musketeer Sketch Rehearsal, The
Funny
Duck Joke, The
Welcome To Brooklyn
If The World Were Like The Movies
Exits
Shut Up And Dance
Professional Showbizness Comedy
King Kaiser Comedy Cavalcade, The
Lights Come Up, The
Maxford House
Musketeer Sketch Finale, The
My Favorite Year

Info

Original Cast Included: Tim Curry, Michael McGrath, Mary Stout, Andrea Martin, Evan Pappas, Katie Finneran, Thomas Ikeda, Lainie Kazan, David Lipman, Tom Mardirosian, Josh Mostel, Ethan Phillips, Lannyl Stephens & Paul Stolarsky

Related

My Favorite Year MIDI Files
My Favorite Year (1992 Original Broadway Cast) [SOUNDTRACK] -- Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens; Audio CD
Vocal Selections from My Favorite Year Stephen Flaherty / Paperback / Published 1999

Licensing Agent

Music Theatre International
421 W 54th St New York, NY 10019
212.541.4684
Fax 212.397.4684

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