This is a rare February 8th, 1953 "Stagebill" playbill from the Post-Broadway engagement of the JOHNNY MERCER and HY KRAFT musical comedy "TOP BANANA" at the Great Northern Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. (The production opened November 1st, 1951 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City and ran for 350 performances before going on the road.) ..... The musical starred PHIL SILVERS (shown in the cover photo) and featured KAYE BALLARD, JACK ALBERTSON, JUDY LYNN, JOHNNY COY, JOEY FAYE, HERBIE FAYE, WALTER DARE WAHL, BRADFORD HATTON, DICK DANA, JOHNNY TRAMA, GLORIA SMITH, GEORGE MARCI, "FLASH" HOGAN and DANNY SCHOLL ..... CREDITS: Book by HY KRAFT; Music and Lyrics by JOHNNY MERCER ("St. Louis Woman", "Top Banana", "Texas L'il Darlin'", "Saratoga", "Li'l Abner"); Sets designed by JO MIELZINER; Costumes designed by ALVIN COLT; Choreographed by RON FLETCHER; Directed by JACK DONAHUE; Produced by PAULA STONE and MIKE SLOANE ..... DETAILS: The 24 page playbill measures 6 5/8" X 9 1/4" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers, bios of each of the leading actors and wonderful vintage advertising but with the exception of the front cover, no cast photos ..... CONDITION: This playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.