I'd Rather Be Right

I'D Rather be Right (1937), a musical comedy by George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart (book), Richard Rodgers (music), Lorenz Hart (lyrics). [Alvin Theatre, 290 perf.] Peggy Jones (Joy Hodges) and Phil Barker (Austin Marshall) would like to marry but cannot until Phil receives a raise in pay contingent on President Roosevelt's balancing the budget. Falling asleep in Central Park, Phil dreams that he and Peggy meet Roosevelt (George M. Cohan), who summons his cabinet and even goes to battle with the Supreme Court to help the youngsters. Seemingly stymied, Roosevelt suggests the couple marry anyway, and when Phil awakes from his dream that is precisely what he and Peggy decide to do. Notable songs: Have You Met Miss Jones?; Off the Record; I'd Rather Be Right. Apparently the first important American play to employ a living president as the leading figure, the Sam H. Harris production was Cohan's only appearance in a musical that he did not write himself and was also his last song‐and‐dance role. Cohan's ingratiating performance (despite his much publicized hatred of Roosevelt) turned this affectionate satire of the New Deal into a hit.

I'd Rather Be Right
Original 1937 Playbill Cover
Music	Richard Rodgers
Lyrics	Lorenz Hart
Book	Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
Productions	1937 Broadway

I'd Rather Be Right is a musical with a book by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and music by Richard Rodgers. The story is a Depression-era political satire set in New York City, about Washington politics and political figures, such as President Franklin Roosevelt. The plot centers on Peggy Jones (Joy Hodges) and her boyfriend, who needs a raise in order for them to get married. The President steps in and solves their dilemma.

It premiered on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on November 2, 1937, produced by Sam H. Harris, and transferred to the Music Box Theatre, and ran for 290 performances. It starred George M. Cohan as Franklin Roosevelt.

The musical is prominently featured in the 1942 Cohan biopic Yankee Doodle Dandy, where it serves as a narrative bookend. Cagney, as FDR, performs a vigorous dance number in connection with the piece called "Off the Record", not possible in real life for the disabled President. H. G. Wells wrote enthusiastically about the musical, and Cohan's performance as Roosevelt, in an article "The Fall in America 1937", published in Collier's on 28 January 1938 and reprinted in his World Brain (1938).

Musical numbers

Act I "A Homogeneous Cabinet"--Cabinet Members "Have You Met Miss Jones?"--Peggy Jones and Phil Barker "Take and Take and Take"--The Judge's Girl and Ensemble "Spring in Vienna"--Tony "A Little Bit of Constitutional Fun"--The Judge's Girl and Ensemble "Sweet Sixty-Five"--Peggy Jones and Phil Barker "We're Going to Balance the Budget"--The President of the United States and Company

Act II "American Couple"--Ensemble "Labor Is the Thing"--James B. Maxwell and Ensemble "I'd Rather Be Right"--Peggy Jones, Phil Barker, The Judge's Girl, The President of the United States and Ensemble "Off the Record"--The President of the United States "A Baby Bond"--The Secretary of the Treasury

External links

• Internet Broadway Database listing
• Background from R&H Theatricals
• Time Magazine review, November 15, 1937
• Essay on I'd Rather be Right in Studies in Musical Theatre, January 2007
• I'd Rather Be Right, Libretto ISBN 141799228X

v • d • e Rodgers and Hart musicals The Garrick Gaieties · Dearest Enemy · The Girl Friend · Peggy-Ann · A Connecticut Yankee · Present Arms · Ever Green · Simple Simon · America's Sweetheart · Jumbo · On Your Toes · Babes in Arms · I'd Rather Be Right · The Boys from Syracuse · I Married an Angel · Too Many Girls · Higher and Higher · Pal Joey · By Jupiter

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