This is among a large number of playbills currently being listed from out-of-town tryouts prior to the Broadway runs. Many are from early performances when revisions were common and include song titles that were cut before opening in New York. (See cut songs below.) ....... This is a rare program (playbill) from the Pre-Broadway engagement of the IRVING BERLIN and MORRIE RYSKIND musical comedy "LOUISIANA PURCHASE" at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. (The production would open May 28th, 1940 at the Imperial Theatre in New York City and run for 444 performances.) ..... The musical starred WILLIAM GAXTON, VERA ZORINA, VICTOR MOORE and IRENE BORDONI and featured RALPH RIGGS, CAROL BRUCE, NICK LONG, JR., GEORGE CARROLL, JOHN ELIOT, ROBERT PITKIN, RAY MAYER, EDWARD A. ROBINS, APRIL AMES, JOHN PANTER, CHARLES LA TORRE, HUGH MARTIN, RALPH BLANE, JO JEAN ROGERS, PHYLLIS ROGERS, DON CORTEZ, JAMES PHILLIPS and a cast of 100 ..... CREDITS: Music and Lyrics by IRVING BERLIN ("The Cocoanuts", "Music Box Revues", "As Thousands Cheer", "This is the Army", "Annie Get Your Gun", "Miss Liberty", "Call Me Madam", "Mr. President"); Book by MORRIE RYSKIND based on a story by B. G. De SYLVA; Sets and Costumes designed by TOM LEE; Choreographed by GEORGE BALANCHINE and CARL RANDALL; Production staged by EDGAR MacGREGOR; Produced by B. G. DeSYLVA ..... DETAILS: The four page playbill measures 5 1/4" X 8" inches, is printed on a light brown newsprint stock and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes and list of musical numbers, but no cast photos or bios ..... CUT SONGS: The list of musical numbers includes "I'd Like To Be Shot From a Cannon" and "It'll Come To You" which were cut out-of-town ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a vertical fold, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.