Miss Dolly Dollars is a musical comedy written in two acts with the book and lyrics by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. The musical concerns a wealthy American girl in Europe, who is sought after by bankrupt aristocrats. Its score includes a few famous songs such as "A Woman is Only a Woman (But a Good Cigar is a Smoke)".
After a tryout in Rochester, New York, the musical opened at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York City, on September 4, 1905. It was produced by Charles B. Dillingham and directed by Al Holbrook, with music direction by Antonio DeNovellis. The scenic design was by Homer Emens and Edward G. Unitt, and costumes were by Caroline Seidle. The show soon transferred to the New Amsterdam Theatre on October 16, 1905. It ran for a total of 112 performances and closed on October 21, 1905.
Wealthy Dorothy Gay, an American girl, is pursued while in Europe, by a number of penniless aristocrats, but she does not wish to marry simply for a title. A secretary, Finney Doolittle, is mistaken for his wealthy English Lord. Dorothy's father, Samuel, urges her to marry the phony Lord Burlingham, but she prefers a man whom she takes to be poor, but who his actually the English nobleman, and all ends happily.
The opening night cast was as follows:
Beatrice Anderson - MatildaJohn Ardizone - Duke de BoleroLeila Benton - Vena RodriguezCharles Bradshaw - Samuel GayMildred Cecil - Hon. Reggy ChumpleyMarion Chase - Vera VaneCarter DeHaven - Guy GayElizabeth Doddridge - Hon. Algy SydneyElsie Ferguson - CelesteJoseph Frohoff - First BailiffLulu Glaser - Dorothy GayMinerva Hall - JaneSidney A. Harris - H'Alfred/ Prince UmskyvitchCarl Hartberg - Baron von RheinheisterRalph C. Herz - Finney DoolittleQueenie Hewlitt - MillicentBessie Holbrook - Hon. Montague BankEdward Leahy - Captain Sheridan BarryJames Leahy - The Marquis de BaccaratHelen Marlborough - Ruth DelamereOlive Murray - Bertha BillingsWilliam Naughton - The Hon. Percy FitzboodleByron Ongley - MiggsEnrico Oremonte - Count Chianti/ BobbySusanne Parker - Miriam OdellCarrie Perkins - Mrs. GaySadie Probst - Hon. Mayland BankJames Reany - Count RunoffskyAline Redmond - Greta GiltedgeElsa Reinhardt - Freda DresslerL. F. Sampson - Second BailiffLillian Spencer - MargeryMelville Stuart - Lord BurlinghamLillie Van Arsdale - 'ArrietHenry Vogel - Lieutenant von RichterVida Whitmore - Estelle DeLangeGladys Zell - VashtiAct IThe Self-Made Family (She's a Lady with Money) – Mrs. Gay, Samuel Gay and Guy GayAn Educated Fool (It Keeps Me Guessing All the Time) – Finney DoolittleJust Get Out and Walk – Dorothy Gay and ChorusAn American Heiress – Dorothy and NoblemenDolly Dollars – GuyMy Fair Unknown – Lord BurlinghamAct IIIt's All in the Book You Know – Dorothy and Lieutenant von RichterLife's a Masquerade – Mrs. Gay, Samuel, Celeste and GuyThe Moth and the Moon – Dorothy and ChorusWalks – Guy and GirlsA Woman Is Only a Woman, But a Good Cigar is a Smoke (Puff, Puff, Puff) – Lord Burlingham(American Music) 'Tis Better Than Old Parsifal to Me – Principals and ChorusQueen of the Ring – Dorothy and Chorus