An Errant Nymph and an Ex-Evangelist

This chapter examines Cole Porter's Nymph Errant (1933) and Anything Goes (1934), situating them within his theatrical development. Nymph Errant , adapted from James Laver's novel for Gertrude Lawrence, presents Evangeline Edwards's comic adventures across Europe and the Middle East, where she resists temptation and returns home unchanged. Despite clever numbers like “The Physician” and “Solomon,” later revived by Elizabeth Welch in 1989, the show remains minor Porter, notable more for performance history than integration. By contrast, Anything Goes marks Porter's Broadway breakthrough, featuring Ethel Merman, a farcical shipboard plot, and enduring songs such as “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “You're the Top.” Subsequent revivals, revisions, and a diluted film adaptation confirm its durability. Finally, the chapter highlights Porter's mastery of lyrical wit, rhythmic innovation, and musical architecture that defines his legacy.