High Society

Imagine the witty dialogue of Philip Barry’s “The Philadelphia Story”, his classic 1939 romantic comedy, heavily inter-woven with a bright, vibrant score written by Cole Porter, and you have High Society Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on the play “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry Rights from Tams-Whitmark Presented by Beenleigh Theatre Group Directed by Lynne Wright Musical Direction by Lee Norrell Choreography by (to be supplied) Rather than being set in Philadelphia, ‘High Society” is set on the lovely, serene Oyster Bay where the Lord Family Estate is bounded on one side by Uncle Willie’s rolling property and on the other by the home and lands of Tracy Lord’s first husband, Dexter. It is the weekend of Tracy’s second marriage; this one to George Kittredge (the dullest man on earth); Uncle Willie is throwing a ball tonight for 700 to show of the bride and groom before their Big Day; Mother Lord is harried and stressed (throwing a wedding, in your home, for 500 will do that to you), and Dinah (Tracy’s young sister) is decidedly grumpy as she doesn’t like George and really wishes Tracy and Dex could get back together. Father Lord (Seth) is in the tin – he’s been caught having an affair, in town, with a dancer. Into this scene of turbulent domestic bliss sails Dexter (on his yacht ‘The True Love’, which is the same yacht he and Tracy spent their honey-moon on) and he brings with him a reporter (Mike Connor) and his photographic assistant (Liz Imbrie). They have come for the weekend – and to do a news piece on what promises to be the wedding of the decade. Tracy and Dinah do all they can to get rid of the unwanted press, Dinah (who’s favourite person in the whole world is Dex) does all she can to promote Dex to favour in Tracy’s eyes (a job that at times proves difficult and sometimes becomes downright impossible due to Tracy’s stubborn streak) – however, the whole weekend begins to dissolve into chaos and confusion for Tracy. She wonders when George got to be pompous and over-bearing, is Mike just a reporter (he suddenly seems so sweet), how can Mother forgive Father, and she is beginning to remember how wonderful her honeymoon with Dex was on ‘the True Love’. The plot unravels more, and begins to re-arrange itself (to Dexter’s favour) when Dinah spreads those three words “She’s drinking champagne”. The Lord Family (and friends) are flanked by a wonderful Staff who set the scenes, sing the songs and dance their way into everyone’s hearts. The score includes such favourites as ‘High Society’, ‘Little One’, ‘Who Want’s to be a Millionaire’, ‘True Love’, ‘It Was Just One of Those Things’ and ‘Well, Did You Evah?’. ‘HIGH SOCIETY’ is one of the most popular plays in musical theatre, proven by the many successful reruns it has had, both on and off Broadway, over the years. It provides audiences with laughter and fun, toe-tapping tunes and a sense of having had a good night out by the time they walk out the doors.