High Button Shoes is a musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn and book by George Abbott and Stephen Longstreet. First produced in 1947, it was famous for being choreographer Jerome Robbins' first Tony award.
The plot is starts with a con man coming to town and the effects he has on the Longstreet family. Unlike Music Man, this con man has few redeeming charateristics.
It was the first time in years in which a car was actually brought on stage (actually the body of a Model T Ford). The theater was surprised to have the descendants of Stephen Longstreet come to the production.
The show had been pushed by long-time player Ray Puddicombe and the Players finally relented. Ray, who has been a Player since the early 1950s, played the Gorilla, Life Guard, and Referee.
2009 High Button Shoes Slideshow
