Top Banana (1953 Phil Silvers, tour)

Johnny Mercer and Hy Kraft’s 'Top Banana' completed an extensive national touring company production in 1953, bringing the rapid-fire physical slapstick and roaring television satires of the Broadway flagship directly to commercial houses across North America. The breathless farcical plot follows Jerry Biffle, a flamboyant, pathologically demanding burlesque comic turned television variety superstar who orchestrates a frantic campaign to maintain his ratings metrics, starring comedic icon Phil Silvers in his definitive turn.