Greenwillow

B.J. Chute’s novel was turned into a homespun fantasy that had to do with quaint superstitions and folklore of a mythical village located on the Meander River — or somewhere down the road from Brigadoon and Glocca Morra. The whimsical tale takes up the conflict of young Gideon Briggs (Anthony Perkins) who would like nothing better than to remain at home and marry his summertime love, Dorrie (Ellen McCown), but who fears that the curse of his family’s “call to wander solitary” will someday make him run off to sail distant seas. Though tarrying on Broadway only three months, Greenwillow has long been admired for the airy, otherworldly charms of Frank Loesser’s atypical score. The production also marked Anthony Perkins’ first — and so far only — Broadway musical.

Music

Frank Loesser

Lyrics

Frank Loesser

Book

Lesser Samuels & Frank Loesser