Castles in the Air is a musical comedy, with a book and lyrics by Raymond Wilson Peck and music by Percy Wenrich (additional lyrics by R. Locke). The story concerns two young men, Monty Blair and John Brown, who mistake an exclusive Westchester resort for an inn. They decide to pretend to be nobility, and Monty introduces John as a Latvian prince. Evelyn's uncle Philip decides to teach her a lesson about social climbing by taking her to Latvia, intending to expose John as an impostor. The plan backfires, though, because John really is a prince.
The musical opened on Broadway in the Selwyn Theatre on September 6, 1926. It moved to the Century Theatre on December 6, 1926. The production was directed by Frank S. Merlin and choreographed by John Boyle and Julian Mitchell. It starred J. Harold Murray as John and Vivienne Segal as Evelyn.
On June 29, 1927, a production opened in London, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Contents
Roles and original cast
Monty Blair – Bernard Granville
John Brown – J. Harold Murray
Evelyn Devine – Vivienne Segal
Philip Rodman – Stanley Forde
General Slodak – Walter Edwin
Count Draga – Richard Farrell
Lieutenant – Edward Gorman
Kemlar – William Hasson
The Queen Regent – Thais Lawton
Mme. Joujou Durant – Claire Madjette
The Chancellor – Gregory Ratoff
George Sedgwick – Allen Waterous
Annie Moore – Joyce White
Amos – Robert Williamson
Musical numbers
Act 1
I Don't Blame 'Em – Annie Moore and Boys
Love's Refrain – Mme. Joujou Durant and Ensemble
Lantern of Love (Lyrics By R. Locke and Raymond W. Peck) – Evelyn Devine and Ensemble
The Singer's Career, Ha! Ha! – Mme. Joujou Durant and Philip Rodman
The Other Fellow's Girl – Monty Blair, Sextette and Ensemble
If You Are in Love with a Girl – John Brown and Ensemble
The Sweetheart of Your Dream – Evelyn Devine
I Would Like to Fondle You – Annie Moore, Monty Blair, Sextette and Ensemble
The Rainbow of Your Smile – John Brown
Act 2
Baby – Monty Blair and Ensemble
Latavia – John Brown and Ensemble
Land of Romance – Evelyn Devine
My Lips, My Love, My Soul! – John Brown and Evelyn Devine
The Latavian Chant – Annie Moore and Ensemble
Act 3
Girls and the Gimmies – Monty Blair, Sextette and Ensemble
Love Rules the World – Mme. Joujou Durant and John Brown