OA1031: My Home Town Girl

MY HOME TOWN GIRL

by Louis Hirsch

New York-born Louis Hirsch (1881–1924) reigned with Jerome Kern as a leading driver in transitioning American musical theater, in the second decade of the 20th century, from the operetta and music hall stylings of the past to a new “modern” brand of musical comedy—with witty, intimate, believable plotlines and a ceaselessly melodic musical score. This studio recording, with four-hand piano accompaniment, of Hirsch’s complete score for his 1915 musical My Home Town Girl is the first in a planned series that will revisit the rare musical theater gems of a bygone era.

ACT I: “The Bride Shop,” Fifth Avenue, New York (morning)

1. Overture

2. Opening: If You Would Like to Know

     Shopgirls, Bridesmaids, Boys

3. Madame Marie

     Marie

4. When I Found You

     Dudley, Eleanor

5. There are Thousands of Girlies

     Tony, Girls

6. Hello Dorothy May

     Dorothy

7. Love Me in the Morning Early

     Dorothy, Tony

8. To-Night at Ten  Audio Sample

     Dorothy, Eleanor, Tony, Dudley

9. Finale

     Ensemble

ACT II: Eleanor Arlington’s Home, Riverside Drive (evening)

10. Opening: Dance, Dance, Dance

       Ensemble

11. Boy of Mine I Wait for You

       Eleanor

12. Show Me ‘Round the Town

       Peter

13. My Home Town

       Dorothy, Tony

14. Till You Belong to Me

       Peter, Marie

15. Games of Childhood

       Dorothy, Tony

16. There’s Always a Way

       Dudley, Eleanor

17. I’m Over Here All Alone  Audio Sample

       Dorothy, Tony

18. Finale      

       Ensemble

Bonus Songs: Performed during the show’s run, but not included in the published vocal score

19. Perfume of Love

       Emmeline

20. My Spooky Girl  Audio Sample

       Peter

21. Take a Little Kiss    Audio Sample 

       Dorothy, Boys

1 CD     Total playing time:  61 min.