Before Love Boat, There Was Sail Away!

 Noel Coward's Sail Away premiered on Broadway in 1961,

with subsequent productions in London and Melbourne.

Noel did it all: the music, the lyrics, the book...he directed,

even designed the poster.

That's him and Elaine...on the HMS Coronia, bound for the Mediterranean.

Hijinks ensue!

 Elaine started out in a secondary role...

and an operatic type was chosen as the young ingenue

with the love interest.

But thing weren't working, according to Noel.

He rewrote the thing, giving Elaine all the songs,

AND the romance!

 "Didn't I meet you on a summer cruise?"

The show was Noel's penultimate musical, and had only limited success.

But it was a perfect vehicle for Stritch, 

giving her a chance to do comedy, light character songs,

and a couple fabulous ballads.

What do you think of Noel's design?
Guess it's good he had other talents.