New Girl in Town

New Girl in Town is a musical based on the play Anna Christie by Eugene O'Neill.

Cast[]

Gwen Verdon - Anna
Cameron Prud'homme - Chris Christofferson
Thelma Ritter - Marthy
George Wallace - Mat Burke
Del Anderson - Oscar
Lulu Bates - Lily
Mara Landi - Pearl
Rita Noble - Ivy/Bartender
Eddie Phillips - Pete

Plot[]

Anna, a former streetwalker recovering from tuberculosis, returns home to live with her aging father, ex-sailor Chris Christopherson, in turn-of-the-20th century New York City, after plying her trade in St. Paul, Minnesota for fifteen years. Unaware of her sordid past, and remembering Anna as an innocent young girl, Chris joyfully welcomes his daughter home ("Anna Lilla"). Anna is initially welcomed by Chris's friends and seems to be finding happiness. She becomes romantically involved with a sailor, Mat Burke, but hides the relationship from her father. Chris is furious when Marthy, his jealous common-law wife, drunkenly reveals the truth about Anna's past. Anna's sailor leaves on the next ship, and her hopes of leading a normal life seem dashed. But Anna picks up the pieces of her life, becoming a farmer in Staten Island. When Mat finally returns to port, Chris tries to keep the two lovers apart, but their reunification is inevitable – time heals all wounds, and the lovers kiss and make up.

Musical numbers[]

Act I

"Roll Yer Socks Up" - Chorus
"Anna Lilla" - Chris
"Sunshine Girl" - Oscar, Pete, Bartender
"On the Farm" - Anna
"Flings" - Marthy, Lily, Pearl
"It's Good to Be Alive" - Anna
"Look at 'Er" - Mat
"It's Good to Be Alive" (Reprise) - Mat
"Yer My Friend, Aintcha?" - Marthy, Chris
'Did You Close Your Eyes?" - Anna, Mat
"At the Check Apron Ball" - Chorus
"There Ain't No Flies on Me" - Anna and Company

Act II

"Ven I Valse" - Anna, Chris, Chorus
"Sunshine Girl" (Reprise) - Chorus
"If That Was Love" - Anna
"Chess and Checkers" - Marthy, Chorus
"Look at 'Er" (Reprise) - Mat