Li’l Abner Backdrops For Rent
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About Li’l Abner
Li’l Abner is a musical with a book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, music by Gene De Paul, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, based on the long-running comic strip of the same name created by Al Capp. First published in 1934, Capp’s strip ran for 43 years and at its peak appeared in over 900 newspapers worldwide, making it one of the most widely read comic strips in American history. The strip was known for its sharp satirical edge, skewering American politics, consumer culture, and social convention through the residents of the fictional hillbilly town of Dogpatch, USA.
The Broadway production of Li’l Abner opened on November 15, 1956, at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 693 performances. Directed and choreographed by Michael Kidd, the show earned Tony nominations for Best Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Scenic Design, and is remembered for its kinetic, athletic staging and the memorable Johnny Mercer score that includes numbers such as “Jubilation T. Cornpone” and “The Country’s in the Very Best of Hands.” A 1959 film adaptation starred Peter Palmer and Leslie Parrish and preserved much of the original Broadway cast and choreography. The show has remained a popular choice for community theater, offering a large cast of colorful characters and a story that balances broad physical comedy with pointed political satire.