Redhead

Redhead (1959), a musical thriller by Herbert Fields, Sidney Sheldon, David Shaw (book), Dorothy Fields (book, lyrics), Albert Hague (music). [46th Street Theatre, 452 perf.; Tony Award.] In Victorian London, Essie Whimple (Gwen Verdon) fashions figures at the Simpson Sisters' Waxworks but soon finds herself in the middle of a Jack the Ripper‐like murder spree. With the help of the music hall strongman Tom Baxter (Richard Kiley), Essie uncovers the identity of the redheaded culprit and wins Tom's love along the way. Notable songs: Merely Marvelous; Look Who's in Love; Erbie Fitch's Twitch. A curiosity of a musical presented by Robert Fryer and Lawrence Carr, Redhead tried to combine music‐hall entertainment with a whodunit but ended up being another tailor‐made vehicle for Verdon, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.