Simply Heavenly

In the background are the many aspects of Harlem at the time—its jazz, its humor, and the universal problems of paying the rent and buying a shot of gin.

[3][4] Its West End transfer at the Trafalgar Studios from October 2004 to May 2005 was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production.

[5] As the curtain rises, Simple is being informed by his landlady that he must walk her dog without complaining or pay his rent.

Joyce waits in her furnished room for Simple's arrival, voicing her admiration for him ("Simply Heavenly").

He is conversing with his friends when Zarita enters and persuades him to join her for an evening touring the gin mills of New Jersey ("Let Me Take You for a Ride").

The next scene finds Simple in a hospital bed, as Zarita's car has "tried to climb the George Washington Bridge instead of crossing it!"

He is as disgusted with himself as he is broke; he has spent nearly his last nickel on a newspaper that has no news about people of color ("Flying Saucer Monologue").