The Baron discovers the pair, but, being a good sport, he assumes the role of his servant in order to assist Gaston in his romantic pursuit.

Produced by John Shubert, the Broadway production, opened on September 21, 1938 at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it ran for 78 performances, after tryouts in New Haven, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Indianapolis, among others.

The cast featured Clifton Webb, Lupe Vélez, Libby Holman, Toby Wing (later replaced by June Havoc), and Rex O'Malley.

The show starred Esteban Chalbaud, Lynn Fitzpatrick, Dan Held, Rod Loomis, Grace Theveny, and Jamie Thomas.

[11][12] Critical reception was generally poor for the original production, and the show closed after 78 performances and after a salary cut for the cast.

Variety had noted, "a limited stay is indicated," and The New Yorker wrote, "it is sad to see so many handsome and talented people wandering helplessly around a stage."

In the Times, Brooks Atkinson wrote that Clifton Webb "has a whole bookcase stacked against him...handfuls of bad jokes [and] innuendoes with the delicacy of an elephant stampede."

"[1] Alvin Klein of the New York Times said of the 1996 Papermill show, "Theatre buffs get a kick out of making wish lists of lost musicals, ripe for revival.

To see the show...is to know why a justly disregarded Cole Porter fiasco of 1938 is unlikely to survive the enlightened scrutiny – even the escapist fantasies – of modern sensibilities.

"[9] Robert L. Daniels of Variety said of the 1996 production, "It is frightfully simple as staged and acted, completely lacking in wit and barren of comic inspiration, a chamber musical built on straw.