The Idea is a musical with words and music by Joseph Hart. While essentially a comedy, the plot centers around a young man whose destructive life of gambling and drinking is turned around after attending a meeting at the Salvation Army. Scholars have noted similarities of this work to the later 1950 musical Guys and Dolls , but with an aesthetic of musicals and culture of the 1890s. [1]
The original production, featuring Frederick Hallen and Joseph Hart, was produced by Hallen at Bowdoin Square in Boston in November 1892. [2] It then opened in New York City at the Fourteenth Street Theatre on April 9, 1893 [3] and was still playing there in October. [4] In 1894, a revival played in Chicago. [5]
The opening night cast in New York was as follows: [3]
Based on the sheet music, the songs included:
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