Overview

Synopsis

Even though Jimmy Smith has become a millionaire, due to his Bible publishing business, his wife, Sue, remains frugal and has little desire for money. Her main concern is raising their adopted daughter, Nanette, into a respectable lady. Since he's filthy rich, however, as has nothing to do with his wealth, Jimmy bankrolls the lives of three beautiful women. Jimmy realizes how bad it could be if Sue found out and got the wrong idea about his relationship with these three women. He enlists the help of his lawyer friend, Billy, to help him get out of the pickle in exchange for a generous sum. They make plans to meet all three girls in Atlantic City to have a little fun -- and also break off all further contact. Meanwhile, young Nanette, who has an untapped wild side, sneaks off to Atlantic City to has some fun before she settles down with her beloved, Tom Trainor. When Nanette runs into Tom on her travels, she is shocked -- and he is even more upset.

Meanwhile, Sue and Billy's wife, Lucille, have -- unbeknownst to their husbands -- planned a quiet weekend away, and run into their husbands, along with the three girls. Chaos breaks loose -- the threat of scandal looms large, threatening to end love affairs and even marriages -- but ultimately everything is cleared up, and all is well as the curtain falls. With a delightful score that includes the famous "Tea for Two" and "I Want to Be Happy," the lighthearted ' No, No, Nanette was once called "The Happiest Show In Town."

Show Information

Book
Otto Harbach , Frank Mandel , Burt Shevelove
Music
Vincent Youmans
Lyrics
Otto Harbach , Irving Caesar
Based on the Play/Book/Film
The musical grew out of Frank Mandel and Emil Nyitray’s 1919 farce My Lady Friends, which provided the basic story framework of romantic mix-ups and comic misunderstandings.
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1925
Genres
Comedy, Farce, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
New York City, Atlantic City, 1925
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
High School, Community Theatre, College/University, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jimmy Smith

Lead

Male

Tenor

Nanette

Lead

Female

Soprano

Tom Trainor

Lead

Male

Tenor

Sue Smith

Supporting

Female

Alto

Billy Early

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Lucille Early

Supporting

Female

Alto

Pauline

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Betty

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Winnie

Featured

Female

Soprano

Flora

Featured

Female

Alto

Ensemble

Ensemble

Not Specified

Songs

Act I

Act II

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Character Foil

    A character foil is one whose traits contrast with another character, thereby highlighting qualities in both. In No, No, Nanette, Sue’s strict propriety serves as a foil to Nanette’s youthful desire for freedom, emphasizing the tension between tradition and independence. The use of foils helps dramatists reveal character differences without lengthy exposition.

    Escapism

    Escapism in theatre refers to works designed to provide audiences with relief from the difficulties of everyday life. These productions emphasize lighthearted entertainment, often featuring comedy, romance, or lavish spectacle rather than serious social critique. Musicals like No, No, Nanette exemplify escapism by offering carefree fun and joyful music during the turbulent 1920s and again in the nostalgic 1970s revival.

    Farce

    Farce is a comedic style that emphasizes exaggerated situations, improbable coincidences, mistaken identities, and rapid pacing. It often includes physical humor such as slamming doors, frantic chases, or characters hiding in plain sight. Farce is designed to generate nonstop laughter, often prioritizing chaos and absurdity over realistic storytelling.

    Period Piece

    A period piece is a theatrical work set in a specific historical era, recreating its fashions, manners, and cultural atmosphere. Costumes, sets, and dialogue are often designed to reflect the chosen time period as accurately as possible. Period pieces allow audiences to step into another age and experience its unique style and traditions.

    Slapstick

    Slapstick is a type of physical comedy that relies on exaggerated actions, pratfalls, and humorous accidents to provoke laughter. It often includes broad movements, funny sound effects, and comic violence, such as someone slipping on a banana peel or being hit with a harmless object. The style originated in commedia dell’arte and became popular in vaudeville, silent film, and stage comedy.

    Spectacle

    Spectacle refers to the visual elements of a production that create wonder and excitement through design, movement, or scale. This might include elaborate costumes, dazzling choreography, special effects, or impressive sets. Spectacle often heightens the theatrical experience by leaving audiences with vivid visual impressions alongside the story and music.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Quote Analysis

Guide Written By:

Jason Engleman

Jason Engleman

Humming show tunes day and night.