Primrose
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"Primrose" is a British musical comedy with music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Desmond Carter and Ira Gershwin, and book by Guy Bolton and George Grossmith, Jr. The show tells the story of a young woman named Primrose Palmer who becomes an understudy to a famous actress, Marcia Manners. Primrose falls in love with a young playwright named Philip Warren, but her ambitions and Marcia's jealousy threaten to derail her career and her relationship with Philip.
The musical premiered in London's West End in 1924 and featured popular songs such as "Treat Me Rough," "Boy Wanted," and "Somebody from Somewhere." The show was notable for its use of early film techniques, including a sequence in which Primrose's dreams come to life on a movie screen. "Primrose" was a critical and commercial success, running for over 500 performances and establishing Gershwin as a major musical composer.
Despite its initial success, "Primrose" has not enjoyed the same level of popularity as some of Gershwin's other works, such as "Porgy and Bess" and "An American in Paris." Nevertheless, the show has been revived several times over the years, and its catchy tunes and lighthearted storyline continue to charm audiences to this day.