The show opened at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon) on March 22, 1945, and closed on April 28 that year after 43 performances.

The original production was directed by John Murray Anderson, choreographed by Catherine Littlefield,[2] and conducted by Maurice Abravanel; it featured Lotte Lenya as Duchess.

In 2017, Kim H. Kowalke and John Baxindine conceived a suite of dances from The Firebrand of Venice named Much Ado about Love (the original title of the show) which was performed at the Brevard Music Center, conducted by Keith Lockhart.

Sculptor Benvenuto Cellini has been sentenced to hang for the attempted murder of Count Maffio ("When the Bell of Doom is Clanging").

The French ambassador enters, telling Cellini that the Duke intends to hang him for Maffio's murder, and suggesting that he flee to Paris, where the king wants him to decorate Fontainebleau.

Just when Cellini appears doomed, Ascanio testifies that it was really Ottaviano who was plotting against the Duke ("How Wonderfully Fortunate"), and the Duchess supports the accusation.

For the greater glory of art and posterity ("Love is My Enemy"), he swears off both the Duchess and Angela, while they commiserate with each other ("The Little Naked Boy" reprise).

Finally he finishes and unveils his nymph statue, as commedia dell'arte players perform a motley dance.

As Cellini and Maffio draw their swords, a spirit of gaiety lights up the stage in a final reprise of "Life, Love, and Laughter."