Little Mary Sunshine
Little Mary Sunshine is an American musical in emulation of older operetta, with book, music, and lyrics by Rick Besoyan. It premiered on November 18, 1959 at the Orpheum Theatre in New York.
This musical was conceived and executed as a loving sendup of the operettas of Victor Herbert, Rudolf Friml, and Sigmund Romberg.
There are even hints of Noel Coward. Its villainous “Indians” and gallant “forest rangers” (thinly disguised mounties) are taken in particular from Friml’s Rose-Marie.
The original West End cast of the show was directed by Paddy Stone and starred Patricia Routledge.
Cast & Creative
Cast List
| Character | Actor |
| Little Mary Sunshine | Margaret Boughton |
| Captain Big Jim Warrington | Robert Salter |
| Mme Ernestine von Liebedich | Patricia Vandepeer |
| Chief Brown Bear | Mark Holliday |
| Corporal Billy Jester | Michael Carver |
| Fleet Foot | Richard Matthiae |
| General Oscar Fairfax | Roger Roseboom |
| Yellow Feather | Nicholas Green |
| Nancy Twinkle | Anne Campbell |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Lesley Cox |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Melanie Edwards |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Merian Ganjou |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Sally Hester |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Rachel Marks |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Jacquline Pearson |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Sonya Raymond |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Mandy Stenhouse |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Louise Stevenson |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Barbara Thomas |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Janet Turner |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Claire Walker |
| Ladies from Eastchester Finishing School | Francis Warhurst |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Tim Ablitt |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Will Brooks |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Iain Calder |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | David Cole |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Norman Marks |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | John Powter |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Rick Ratcliffe |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Kit Stratfull |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Paul Viney |
| Gentleman of United States Rangers | Andrew Yeates |
| Flute | Jonathan Heitler |
| Oboe | Tim Ramply |
| Clarinet | Alison Campbell |
| Bassoon | Roy McKinley |
| Horns | Roy & Mary Banks |
| Trumpet | Andy Weeks |
| Piano | Dennis Gomm |
| Bass | Callum Yule |
| Drums | Iain Hodge |
Creative Team
| Role | Name |
| Producer | Jessica Joyce |
| Musical Director | Carl Smith |
| Stage Manager | Barbara Mitchell |
| Assistant Stage Manager | John Mitchell |
| Producers Assistant | Jackie Osborne |
| Production Manager | Barbara Thomas |
| Rehearsal Pianist | Dennis Gomm |
| Rehearsal Pianist | Nick Beedham |
| Prompt | Carole Brown |
| Box Office | Paul Hester |
| Props | Peter Sporle |
| Costume Co-ordinator | Mandy Stenhouse |
| Costumes | Alan Scott Costumes |
| Lighting Designer | Paul Viney |
| Lighting | Steve Brown |
| Stage Crew | Trevor Marland |
| Stage Crew | Anne Newton |
| Front of House | Helen Jenkins |
| Make-up | Wendy Edwards |