With the backing of the National Campaign Committee, John P. Wintergreen runs for President on a platform based in love. The committee sponsors a beauty pageant in Atlantic City and Wintergreen promises to marry the winner! However, before “Miss White House” can be crowned, Wintergreen scuppers the committee’s plans by falling in love with pageant secretary Mary Turner who woos him and the committee with her delectable corn muffins. After wooing Mary throughout each of the 48 states, Wintergreen wins the election in a landslide victory. However, his presidency is almost thwarted by Diana Devereaux, the bitter and vengeful winner of the beauty pageant. With France on her side (claiming Diana to be the illegitimate daughter of an illegitimate son of an illegitimate nephew of Napoleon), the committee now pressure Wintergreen to leave Mary and marry Diana. But with the arrival of twins in the White House, Mary saves the day by giving birth to the perfect, newborn distraction from the political onslaught.
Of Thee I Sing was the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1934 and seems as relevant as ever in today’s political climate.
Of Thee I Sing guide sections
