The show opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on April 23, 1959,[1] and closed on June 18, 1960, after 472 performances.

[2] The national tour starred John Raitt and Anne Jeffreys, while Yvonne De Carlo appeared in the show in such venues as the Paper Mill Playhouse and the Dallas Summer Musicals.

The song sung by Marlene Dietrich in the film, "See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have", was not used in the stage production.

Clagget accuses Frenchy and Kent of stealing his ranch in a crooked poker game last night.

Slade makes an announcement to the patrons of the saloon that Sheriff Keogh has left town on urgent business and that Washington Dimsdale will be taking his place.

Destry mistakes their jeering for hospitality, and tells the townspeople how surprised he is by their welcome ("Tomorrow Morning").

Wash explains that the town has planned a big welcome party for him, but he doesn't think Destry can face anyone now.

They steal a banner the girls were carrying and see that there's to be a social in honor of Destry's arrival and they weren't invited.

The townspeople resume their celebration, and at the end of the social Destry thanks everyone for the party, until he is interrupted by Clagget, who is armed with a rifle.

Clagget proclaims that he won't put the gun down until he's killed Kent and his gang.

He relates the story of how he was cheated in the poker game, also mentioning the suspicious "disappearance" of the former sheriff.

Then Destry shows Wash important papers that Sheriff Keogh had left behind, saying he's got a plan to catch the culprit tonight.

Destry whispers to Wash to follow Gyp Watson to see if he can lead them to the sheriff's body.

Kent then sends Frenchy to announce that Mayor Slade will be trying Gyp's case and the jury will be made up of patrons of the Last Chance Saloon.

Destry leaves town to get a Federal Marshal, and Kent decides that a jail-break is the best way to keep Gyp from talking.