George White’s Scandals of 1924
Opened at the Apollo Theatre, New York on June 30, 1924. 196 performances. Music by George Gershwin. Lyrics by B. G. DeSylva. Book by William K. Wells and George White. Produced and staged by George White. Cast included Winnie Lightner, Tom Patricola, the Elm City Four, the Williams Sisters, Lester Allen, Richard Bold, Will Mahoney, and Helen Hudson.
With the enormous success of RHAPSODY IN BLUE earlier in the year and LADY, BE GOOD! already in the works, George Gershwin’s final score for the SCANDALS was something of an anti-climax. Five years worth of tunes had gone into his work for George White, but little of lasting impact had resulted: only “(I’ll Build a) Stairway to Paradise” from the 1922 version and “Somebody Loves Me” from 1924 have continued to prove popular with singers and audiences.