The musical was created as a starring vehicle for Ziegfeld's longtime life partner, the actress Anna Held, who portrayed Clare de Brion, a.k.a "The Little Duchess".
Midway through the production's Broadway run, the show transferred to the Grand Opera House where it closed in April 1902 after 144 performances.
[2] Setting: Ostend and Paris The Parisian actress Clare de Brion and her uncle, Count Cassibianca, are hounded by creditors.
At the beach she attracts many admirers as a "belle in a bathing suit", but has her heart set on English officer, Captain Ralph Edgerton.
A comedy of errors involving mistaken identities and deceptions through various costume changes follows as the duchess attempts to the win the heart of Edgerton and solve her family's financial woes.