Destry Rides Again

Destry Rides Again is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Harold Rome and a book by Leonard Gershe. It is based on the 1939 classic film of the same name.

The show opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on February 23, 1959 and closed on June 18, 1960 after 472 performances. Michael Kidd was the director and choreograper. The cast starred Andy Griffith as Destry and Dolores Gray as Frenchy.

The plot was loosely based on a story by Max Brand. The song made famous by Marlene Dietrich in the film, “See What The Boys in the Back Room Will Have”, was not used in the stage production.

Tom Destry becomes the deputy-sheriff of the town of Bottleneck, having been hired by the townsfolk to rid them of Kent and his gang. Frenchy, initially one of Kent’s followers, saves Destry’s life, and then becomes romantically involved with him. The show ends on a happy note with Frenchy and Destry together.