The Red Mill is an operetta written by Victor Herbert, with a libretto by Henry Blossom. The farcical story concerns two American vaudevillians who wreak havoc at an inn in the Netherlands, interfering with two marriages; but all ends well. The musical premiered on Broadway on September 24, 1906, at the Knickerbocker Theatre and ran for 274 performances, starring comedians Fred Stone and David C. Montgomery. It also had a London run and toured extensively, and in 1945 had a long-running Broadway revival. The Red Mill includes the famous songs "Every Day is Lady's Day with Me", "The Streets of New York", "You Never Can Tell About a Woman", and "Because You're You".
Synopsis
In a village in the Netherlands, two American vaudevillians, Con and Kid, who have been travelling in Europe but itch to get back to New York, are stranded penniless at a little inn. As painters and their models sing about the troubles of being a poor artist, the models try to convince the painters to quit their work and have some fun ("By the Side of the Mill"). Overhearing the models complaining, Tina points out that at least the girls have boyfriends. Prompted by this statement Flora discloses that she longs for her painter to say that he loves her, and will one day, marry her ("Loved But Me"). Con and Kid try to sneak out of the inn without paying their bill, but they are discovered and sent to jail. However, Willem, the innkeeper, takes pity on them and arranges for them to work at the inn to pay off their debt.
The Burgomaster's daughter, Gretchen, loves Captain Doris van Damm. Her father, however, wishes her to marry the Governor of Zeeland. Con and Kid agree to help Gretchen and the Captain to elope, but Willem overhears and tells the Burgomaster, who locks Gretchen in the windmill. The Americans try to rescue her while the Burgomaster finishes preparations for an immediate wedding. Plotting with Tina, the two Americans finally help Gretchen to escape. At the wedding festivities (which are missing the bride) Con and Kid appear disguised as Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and "help" the Burgomaster find his daughter. Bertha replaces Gretchen as the bride, as the governor was her childhood sweetheart. When Bertha's identity is then revealed, it turns out that Captain Van Damm is heir to a large fortune, and her father allows Gretchen to marry him. The Americans can finally return home to New York ("New York").
Principal roles and original cast
Con Kidder, Kid Conner, two Americans "doing" Europe – Fred Stone and David Montgomery Burgomaster Jan van Borken, of Katwyck-aan-Zee – Edward Begley
Bertha, his sister – Allene Crater
Gretchen, his daughter – Augusta Greenleaf
Willem, innkeeper at the "Red Mill" – David L. Don
Tina, his daughter – Ethel Johnson
Captain Doris van Damm – Joseph M. Ratliff
Flora, a painters model – Connie Eastman
Franz, the sheriff of Katwyck-aan-Zee – Charles Dox
The Governor of Zeeland – Neal McCay
Joshua Pennyfeather, an English solicitor – Claude Cooper
Countess de la Fère, an automobilist – Juliette Dika
Musical numbers
Act I
By the Side of the Mill - Chorus
Loved But Me - Flora, Tina and Chorus
Mignonette - Tina and Girls
You Can Never Tell About a Woman - Jan Van Borkem and Willem
Whistle It - Kid Conner, Con Kidder and Tina
A Widow Has Ways - Bertha
(In) The Isle of Our Dreams - Captain Doris Van Damm and Gretchen
(Always) Go While the Goin' Is Good - Con Kidder, Kid Conner, Tina and Bertha
An Accident - Countess de La Tere, Tina and Chorus
Moonbeams - Gretchen, Captain Doris Van Damm and Male Chorus
Act II
Gossip Song - Bertha and Chorus
(The) Legend of the Mill - Bertha and Chorus
Good-a-bye, John (Lyrics By Harry Williams, Music By Egbert Van Alstyne) - Con Kidder and Kid Conner I Want You to Marry Me! - Tina and Chorus Every Day Is Ladies' Day With Me - The Governor of Zeeland and Male Chorus Because You're You - Bertha and The Governor of Zeeland The Streets of New York (In Old New York) - Con Kidder, Kid Conner and Chorus The Wedding Song (Wedding Bells) - The Governor of Zeeland and Chorus The Streets of New York (In Old New York) - Entire Company