Madame Sherry

Madame Sherry (1910), a “musical vaudeville” by Otto Harbach (book, lyrics), Karl Hoschna (music). [ New Amsterdam Theatre, 231 perf.] Edward Sherry (Jack Gardner) and his Sherry School of Aesthetic Dancing have long been supported by Edward's archaeologist uncle, Theophilus (Ralph Herz). To please his uncle, who spends most of his time in Greece, Edward has pretended to marry and have children. When the uncle suddenly appears, Edward is forced to draft his housekeeper and some of his young pupils into acting as his wife and offspring. Theophilus is not fooled, so he takes everyone out to sea in his yacht and threatens not to return to port until he discovers the truth. Luckily, Theophilus's niece Yvonne (Lina Abarbanell) has fallen in love with Edward, and they agree to marry. Only then does Theophilus consent to return to port. Notable songs: Every Little Movement; The Smile She Means for You; The Birth of Passion; Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey (interpolation by Junie McCree and Albert Von Tilzer). A curious combination of musical comedy, operetta, and, in the last act when the plot was all but over, vaudeville turns, this was one of the most memorable and delightful musicals of the era. The hit song, “Every Little Movement,” while first sung as part of the dancing lesson, was reprised throughout the show in different tempos and with altered harmonies to suggest the progress of several romances.