31^st Festival Season - 2009

Of Thee I Sing

Music by: George Gershwin

Lyrics by: Ira Gershwin

Book by: George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind

John P. Wintergreen has been chosen by his party as its presidential candidate and provided a running mate…what's his name…oh, yes…Alexander Throttlebottom. After conducting a poll, the party determines that, after money, it is love that is of the greatest interest to the public. To win the most votes, bachelor Wintergreen must fall in love with a typical American girl and romance her right up until election day – Americans will vote with their hearts and he will be a shoo–in. The party committee holds a contest – the captivating Southern belle, Diana Devereaux, is the winner. Unfortunately, Wintergreen has his heart set on secretary Mary Turner, who can sew and bake corn muffins – he refuses the hand of Diana and goes out on the campaign trail with Mary. After winning the election handily, Wintergreen and Mary are wed by the Chief Justice at the inauguration, a celebration that is interrupted when Diana arrives and serves him with a summons alleging breach of promise. The assembled Supreme Court justices rule in favor of corn muffins – John and Mary can head off to the White House.

Vice-President Throttlebottom has been hanging around the White House, wondering what his job is. When told that he presides over the Senate, he dashes out to catch the first street car down Pennsylvania Avenue. Diana has not given up her fight – she gets hold of the French ambassador, who, on her behalf, elevates the issue to an international incident. The party committee, sensitive to the gravity of the situation, demands that Wintergreen either annul his marriage and tie up with Diana, or resign. When the President refuses both options, the committee pursues impeachment. The Senate vote is going distinctively against Wintergreen when, in the truest fashion of Gilbert and Sullivan, Mary bursts in with some startling news that ultimately both turns the vote in her husband’s favor and provides a logical solution to placating Diana and thus resolving the international crisis.