Today marks the 86th birthday of composer Richard Adler. In 1950 he began composing with Jerry Ross, and a few years later they cranked out The Pajama Game (1954) and Damn Yankees (1955.) The latter show contains the song “Hey There,” the opening of which is said to be based on the first theme of Mozart’s Piano Sonata in C major, K. 545. Judge for yourself.
Grove Music Online has an interesting bit of trivia about Mr. Adler: “He was also the producer and director for various celebrity productions in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, including Marilyn Monroe’s celebrated appearance in Madison Square Garden singing Happy Birthday to President Kennedy.” But we want to know who sewed her into The Dress.