Old School Broadway Duets for Men

November 25, 2017 9:00 PM

A friend of mine an I are thinking of singing showtunes at local farmer's markets. We are looking for male duets from Broadway musicals from the 30's, 40's and 50's.... Some examples. "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" from Kiss Me Kate "Guys And Dolls" from Guys and Dolls. Show stoppers from recent show also may work Also, male/female duets would work if they are relationship songs Example "Always True To You In My Fashion" from Kiss Me Kate. Some trio's can also transfer well. Thanks in advance
posted by goalyeehah to Media & Arts (25 answers total)

It Would Have Been Wonderful from A Little Night Music
posted by holborne at 9:15 PM on November 25, 2017

(Sorry, that’s from the 70s, my mistake. Still a good number though.)
posted by holborne at 9:17 PM on November 25, 2017

Does "Moses supposes" from "Singin in the Rain" count?
posted by praemunire at 9:18 PM on November 25, 2017 [3 favorites]

Agony from Into The Woods!
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:11 PM on November 25, 2017 [3 favorites]

Also see this Broadway World forum post
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:12 PM on November 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

"Dear Theodosia" from Hamilton, if you're looking for something contemporary.

Singing in the Rain also has "Fit as a Fiddle and Ready for Love."
posted by timestep at 10:12 PM on November 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

Another contemporary suggestion: "You're Timeless to Me," from Hairspray.
posted by timestep at 10:17 PM on November 25, 2017

Well, Did You Evah?
posted by misteraitch at 11:15 PM on November 25, 2017 [4 favorites]

For relationship duets the first ones that come to mind are "Friendship" from Anything Goes and "Anything You Can Do" from Annie Get Your Gun.
posted by ovenmitt at 11:17 PM on November 25, 2017

In newer shows, Devil Take The Hindmost from Phantom of the Opera: Love Never Dies. Show's plot makes no sense, but some of the music is good.

And I can't believe no-one's mentioned Confrontation yet.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 11:46 PM on November 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

In an infrequently produced, lesser known play by Stephen Sondheim about an enormous (and true) real estate scam pulled off in Boca Raton in the 20s, Road Show, there appears a love song between two men, called The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened. I'd provide a link but my mobile device is acting up. It's a lovely song, and I think it is the only love song between two men in a Broadway musical that isn't specifically about homosexuality (Such as La Cage Aux Folles or Priscilla, etc)
posted by janey47 at 12:24 AM on November 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

The All 'er Nothing duet from Oklahoma is a favorite, or given the venue perhaps some reworking of The Farmer and the Cowman would be appropriate, if not quite as much fun.

Some others that jumped to mind aside from those already mentioned:
A Couple of Swells
What a Swell Party This Is
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
The Babbitt and the Bromide
Abba Dabba Honeymoon
S'Wonderful


Sadly, the current political situation might make The Country's In the Very Best of (Tiny) Hands unworkable with its both sides are screwy attitude.
posted by gusottertrout at 1:02 AM on November 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

It's from a bit later, but I've always loved singing All for the Best from Godspell. Great duet for talent shows, catchy tune.
posted by slide at 4:18 AM on November 26, 2017 [1 favorite]

Together, Wherever We Go from Gypsy.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:57 AM on November 26, 2017

You're The Tops.
posted by essexjan at 6:28 AM on November 26, 2017

Any of the Wallace and Davis duets that appear in White Christmas?
posted by coppermoss at 6:49 AM on November 26, 2017

Fugue for Tinhorns from Guys and Dolls is catchier than Guys and Dolls IMHO.
posted by wittgenstein at 7:04 AM on November 26, 2017

Friendship by Cole Porter is also catchy, though I don't remember which show it's from.
posted by wittgenstein at 7:06 AM on November 26, 2017

Heart, from Damn Yankees
You could do A Lot of Livin to Do from Bye Bye Birdie with just men, maybe skipping a verse
Fiorello has a few: Little Tin Box and Politics and Poker, though they're very specific to the show
You Did It, from My Fair Lady, again very specific, or better yet, A Little Bit of Luck or Get Me to the Church on Time, just trading verses
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 11:01 AM on November 26, 2017

Also, not old school, but Sorry/Grateful from Company is lovely.
posted by coppermoss at 1:12 PM on November 26, 2017

It might be too intense for a relaxing day at the farmer's market, but a passionate version of The Confrontation from Les Mis nearly always is something to behold.
posted by surenoproblem at 1:13 PM on November 26, 2017

Are you guys strictly hetero? Because I would love to hear 2 dudes sing "Take Him" from Pal Joey.

Title song from Guys and Dolls

There is Nothing Like A Dame, South Pacific

"This Can't Be Love" from The Boys From Syracuse (Rodgers and Hart)
(originally m/f, but reworkable as 2 friends discussing love troubles)

"New York, New York" from Bernstein's On The Town
(originally a trio, but works fine for two, omitting the interstitial dialogue-y bits)

"I Hope That Something Better Comes Along" from The Muppet Movie
(not old, but sounds like it)

And seconding You're The Top (Porter, Anything Goes) and "It's All For The Best" (Godspell)
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:01 PM on November 26, 2017

"Friendship" is Porter from Anything Goes, and is originally a trio, but would work fine for a duo.
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:02 PM on November 26, 2017

Impossible from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
posted by fings at 6:00 PM on November 26, 2017

"Pretty Women" from Sweeney Todd.

Also from Sweeney Todd, I would work up "Priest," which is written for male/female duet, but could easily be performed as male/male.
posted by blurker at 9:16 AM on November 27, 2017