“Dearest Enemy,” the first musical comedy by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, is back in the limelight a century after its world premiere in Akron.
As part of Akron’s bicentennial celebration, the Akron-Summit County Public Library is sponsoring a lecture and a performance of the show, which debuted in July 1925 at the Colonial Theater in Akron before opening on Broadway.
A free multimedia lecture will be at 6:30 p.m. May 15 at the Main Library, 60 S. High St., in downtown Akron. Broadway historian Joseph Rubin will discuss the history and restoration of the Rodgers and Hart musical, which the Akron Beacon Journal once praised as “the biggest theatrical innovation on record here in the past 100 years.”
The musical is set in 1776 during the American Revolution and involves Mary Lindley Murray’s scheme to distract British generals with food and drink so Gen. George Washington can move his troops without being noticed.
The lecture will feature original cast recordings, rare photographs, archival materials and a viewing of a 1955 television adaptation of the musical. Register in person, online or by phone at 330-643-9030.
In addition, the library will present a free live performance of “Dearest Enemy” at 7 p.m. June 21 at Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron.
American Musical Productions’ concert production will feature a cast of 25 local actors and an 18-piece orchestra directed by Joseph Rubin. To reserve a seat, go to eventbrite.com.
For more information about the lecture or performance, contact the library’s Special Collections Division at 330-643-9030 or email speccollections@akronlibrary.org. For a schedule of Akron bicentennial events, visit https://akron200.org.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron library revives ‘Dearest Enemy’ in the city where it premiered 100 years ago
Reporting by Mark J. Price, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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