At the pre-Broadway Boston opening on June 25, 1929, while Ruby Keeler was on stage introducing the song “Liza”, Al Jolson (who was Keeler's husband and a huge star in his own right) was so taken with the song — and wanting to show his enthusiasm — that he spontaneously leapt to his feet and belted out the refrain from his seat in the audience. The audience, stunned, erupted in applause. The impromptu stunt created huge buzz for the number and the show. George Gershwin, who was present, was said to be delighted by the surprise. Jolson later recorded the song.
There were many changes to the score after opening.
Dropped after opening:
- Albertina Rasch Dancers Specialty
- Lolita, (My Love)
- Spain
- The “Songs” in Act One – Dropped 3 weeks after the opening
- Follow the Minstrel Band
Changes to the score:
- How Could I Forget? – Replaced by “Mississippi Dry”
- Liza (All the Clouds’ll Roll Away) – Nick Lucas left the production after three weeks, after which the song was reassigned to other cast members
The Duke Ellington Orchestra was appearing simultaneously in this show and in the 1929 fall edition of the Cotton Club Show.
