Call Me Madam
Book by Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse
Music by Irving Berlin

April 7 - 23, 1989
Directed by David Shuler

DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
You've probably heard the term "a fifties musical". Why were fifties musicals different than forties or sixties musicals? They were totally unrealistic, totally fluff, and totally wonderful! We fell in love with newcomers Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, and Debbie Reynolds as they met their beux, fell in love, and had their first fight - usually just minutes after the opening credits. Storylines were slim or non-existent. Lines such as "What's gotten into you, kid?" were obvious cue lines for a musical number.

Sounds corny? It was, and we ate it up with a spoon. We wanted to believe, and we did, that Betty Grable could slip into her boudoir for three minutes and return with a complete wardrobe change and fantastic new hairstyle.

It was in this mode that I have directed CALL ME MADAM. Don't look for a message, a moral, or great depth. It's not there. What is there is a few hours of fun and excitement. You don't have to think, just enjoy.

I dedicate this show to all insomniatic Late Late Show viewers, and to my mother who stayed up and watched with me!

- David Shuler