Overview
The Girl in Pink Tights is a 1954 Broadway musical comedy. The work features music composed by Sigmund Romberg, lyrics by Leo Robin, and a book by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields. It opened on March 5, 1954, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City and closed on June 12, 1954 after 115 performances.
Production
The production was produced and directed by Shepard Traube. Choreography was provided by Agnes De Mille, with set and lighting designs by Eldon Elder and costume designs by Miles White. Sylvan Levin served as musical director. Romberg died before completing the full score; orchestrator Don Walker expanded the composer’s sketches into a complete orchestral accompaniment.
Cast
The original Broadway cast included:
- Charles Goldner as Maestro Gallo
- Zizi Jeanmaire as Lisette Gervais
- David Atkinson as Clyde Hallam
- Alexandre Kalioujny as Volodya Kuzentsov
- Brenda Lewis as Lotta Leslie
- Robert Smith as Van Beuren
- David Aiken as Eddington
Music
Romberg’s contribution consists of melodies and thematic material that were posthumously completed by Don Walker. The score incorporates Romberg’s characteristic lyricism, complemented by Robin’s witty lyrics.
Cancelled Film Adaptation
A film version was planned but was cancelled after Marilyn Monroe declined the lead role, reportedly describing the project as “trash” and objecting to the compensation offered, which was less than one‑third of that promised to co‑star Frank Sinatra.
Legacy
Although the musical’s run was brief, it is noted for its collaboration among prominent Broadway figures of the era—Romberg, De Mille, and Robin—and for its connection to a notable, though unrealized, Hollywood adaptation. The original cast recording remains a reference point for enthusiasts of mid‑century American musical theatre.