Richard Rodgers entered his seventh decade of writing for the theatre with this fresh retelling of the Biblical story of Noah. Two by Two premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on November 10, 1970. Directed by Joe Layton, the production starred Danny Kaye and featured Marilyn Cooper, Joan Copeland, Harry Goz, Madeline Kahn, Michael Karm, Tricia O’Neil and Walter Willison.

Synopsis

Despite the derision of others, Noah heeds the voice of God and builds the ark, thus saving his family and the animal twosomes from the flood. But they cannot be saved from such domestic concerns as the death of Noah’s wife, Esther, and the romance between son Japheth and Rachel, the wife of his brother, Shem. By turns inspirational and hilarious, Two by Two demonstrates that being chosen by God for great things does not necessarily simplify the daily demands on a father and husband.

Characters

Noah
Esther
Japheth
Shem
Leah
Ham
Rachel
Goldie