Mexican Hayride (musical)

Mexican Hayride (musical) sheet music cover

Mexican Hayride is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Herbert Fields and Dorothy Fields. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1944.

Production History

The musical opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 28, 1944. It was produced by Michael Todd and directed by Hassard Short. The choreography was by Paul Haakon. The production ran for 481 performances, closing on March 17, 1945.

Plot

The story is set in Mexico and revolves around a con artist named Joe Bascom who is on the run from the law. He finds himself entangled in a series of comedic situations involving a bullfighter, a beautiful woman, and a local festival.

Musical Numbers

Some of the notable songs from the musical include:

• "Sing to Me, Guitar"
• "I Love You"
• "There Must Be Someone for Me"
• "Abracadabra"

Cast

The original Broadway cast included:

• Bobby Clark as Joe Bascom
• June Havoc as Montana
• Wilbur Evans as David Winthrop
• Corinna Mura as Lolita

Reception

The musical received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, largely due to the popularity of its star, Bobby Clark, and the music of Cole Porter.

Legacy

Although not as frequently revived as some of Porter's other works, Mexican Hayride remains a notable part of his repertoire and is remembered for its lively score and humorous book.

See Also

• Cole Porter
• Herbert Fields
• Dorothy Fields
• Broadway theatre