In the Oct. 5, 1953, edition of the New York Times, it was reported that Charles Lederer, co-author of the book, was replacing Edwin Lester as the show's producer. The production had just concluded its tryout engagement in San Francisco, having played in Los Angeles before that. The reason for the change was that the production was proving more expensive than Lester had anticipated, and Lederer had taken charge of raising the necessary addtional funds.
At the time, it wasn\'t clear whether Lester would be co-credited as producer with his name next to Lederer's in the billing. It was said that Lester had "an option to exercise that privilege."
The solution, which was in place by the start of the tryout run in Boston that started two weeks later, was this:
CHARLES LEDERER
presents
ALFRED DRAKE
in EDWIN LESTER'S production of
A MUSICAL ARABIAN NIGHT
KISMET
One of the investors who helped out, apparently with a substantial sum, was the retired actress Marion Davies, who was Lederer's aunt. The published script was dedicated to her.
The production was originally scheduled to open at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Nov. 16, 1953. In the New York Times on October 8, 1953, it was reported that it would instead open at the Ziegfeld on December 3, after Porgy and Bess concluded its run Nov. 28. The reason given for the change was "technical stage problems" at the Hellinger. Because of that delay, another pre-Broadway run was booked, which started on November 3 in Philadelphia.
