High Society - Plot Synopsis
Act 1
It is June 1938 - Oyster Bay, Long Island. At the Lord family mansion last minute preparations are taking place for the society wedding of Tracy Samantha ('bride to end all brides') to ambitious George Kittredge ("High Society"/"Ridin' High").
Alcoholic Uncle Willie, who lives next door, is reminded that he is hosting the pre-wedding party for 700 guests that evening ("Throwing a Ball Tonight").
As the family breakfast on the terrace, who should arrive but Tracy's ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven. Dexter claims to be unaware of the forthcoming celebrations, but he has invited two reporters from Spy Magazine to cover the wedding in return for suppressing a scandalous article about Tracy's father and notorious exotic dancer, Tina Mara.
Tracy's younger sister, Dinah, hopes that Dexter has returned to reunite with Tracy, but she runs off and hides when he says he can't do so. Dexter tries to cheer her up ("Little One"). Tracy sees them laughingtogether and takes Dinah off to 'make mischief' for the reporters.
Reporters Liz Imbrie and Macauley (Mike) Connor snoop around, observed by the staff ("Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"). Dinah and Tracy then treat them to an absurd display of song and dance ("I Love Paris") along with some very impertinent questions.
Everyone is called to the tennis pavilion. Tracy introduces fiance, George, and Mother Lord welcomes Liz and Mike, expressing regret that her husband Seth is not present. Seeing Uncle Willie approaching, Tracy tries to avert awkward questions by pretending that he is her father. To add to the confusion, Seth then does arrive, and Tracy is forced to introduce him as Uncle Willie.
Liz asks Uncle Willie about Tina Mara, and he breaks into a dance to demonstrate ("She's Got that Thing"). He is joined by Dexter, who is also out to make mischief. Uncle Willie makes a beeline for Liz and she reluctantly goes off with him - leaving Mike alone when Tracy finds him. Dexter interrupts and begins to relate personal details about Tracy's past - it is obvious he still loves her ("Once Upon a Time").
When George enters, Dexter goes, leaving a wedding gift on the table - it is a model of the True Love yacht that he and Tracy sailed in on their honeymoon. George disapproves! He explains his feelings for Tracy ("I Worship You") and then leaves. Her parents enter together - Tracy is mad at them both, but is taken aback when Seth tells her she is as unfeeling as a statue.
Left alone and upset ("Once Upon a Time") she begins to drink, and dreams of Dexter, her first love ("True Love"). Mike arrives to find her - the party is about to begin.
Act 2
It is 4.30am and the Ball at Willie's house has finished. Tracy is, by now, very drunk, and George tells her to go home, but she refuses to leave ("Let's Misbehave"). When she starts dancing with the servants, he stomrs off.
Uncle Willie has cornered Liz, who decides to string him along for the fun of it ("I'm Getting Myself Ready for You").
Dexter enters with his case packed to go ("Just One of Those Things"). Dinah is furious with him for deserting and tells him that Tracy is drunk. Dexter decides to stick around!
The staff help Tracy and Liz to hide from their pursuers ("Well, Did You Evah?") but George finds Tracy and confronts her. Just then, Mike wanders in - Tracy refuses again to let George take him home, but stays to talk to Mike. Mike tells Tracy she can't marry George - he's not good enough for her ("You're Sensational"). She invites Mike to skinny-dip in the pool with her, then runs off. Dexter and Dinah hear Tracy calling Mike. Mother Lord and Seth call each other. Dexter meets Uncle Willie, who advises him to "Say It With Gin".
Mike catches up with Tracy by the pool, and, when he goes to fetch more champagne, she states her intentions ("It's Alright with Me"). Meanwhile, Liz tells Dexter how she feels about Mike ("He's a Right Guy").
George arrives in time to see Mike carrying Tracy in from the pool - both are in bathrobes, so he assumes the worst. Dexter tells Mike to carry Tracy up to her room.
The wedding day dawns: a hung-over Tacy discovers what happened to her. George arrives to discuss the night before and when he finds that (thanks to Mike's sense of propriety) only two kisses took place between incensed and tells him he'll never be happy with her. George leaves, shouting abuse at their whole 'rotten class'.
As the wedding march strikes up, Tracy realises ther is a parlour full of guests waiting. She starts telling them that there is a 'slight hitch' and, as she does so, Dexter prepares to take George's place - all ends happily ("Samantha"/"True Love").
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