Kitty Carlisle was considered for Frieda in April. Carlisle had done a successful radio version of the show in 1948. Mimi Benzell was also considered that month. In July, Jane Pickens was mentioned as the lead.
Don Ameche was considered for Mahler and Harlan Briggs was considered for Dr. Lessing. In August, Basil Rathbone was considered for Mahler.
The show was originally to open on Broadway in the winter. However, the show moved up to the fall to allow director Oscar Hammerstein go to London in October to cast the London company of South Pacific.
Rehearsals began on September 5, 1951.
From the start, the production was only able to stay at the Ziegfeld Theatre until December, when Laurence Olivier's production of Cleopatra was to arrive at the theatre. Music in the Air would then be required to transfer.
Due to poor business, producer Billy Rose decided not to transfer the production to another theatre.
The October 11 performance was a fundraiser for St. Barnabas House.