segment: 'How can we have 110 guys in blackface and then get them out of blackface for the rest of the show?' So Berlin devised a song for the Black soldiers, based on "Puttin' on the Ritz", calling it "What the Well-Dressed Man in Harlem Will Wear". Production and reception The opening night cast consisted of 300 actors including Berlin, Burl Ives, and Stone (the director). The show was a great success, with an opening night gross of $45,000, which, according to The New York Times, "probably is a world's record for an opening night." It was supposed to run for four weeks (to August 4, 1942) and instead ran for 12 weeks (to September 26, 1942). The New York Times article went on to say "it became evident to all concerned that there was the best show of a generation." Brooks Atkinson, writing in The New York Times a month later, said, "No wonder This Is the Army leaves the audience in a glow of enjoyment and loyalty. For Mr. Berlin's taste is perfect ... he has contributed another memorable show to the genius of America." Touring company Because the show was such a success, it went on the road. The first national tour of the revue went to Washington and Philadelphia before continuing to Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Detroit, and Chicago, and Los Angeles, ending in San Francisco, California, on February 13, 1943. By that time, it had earned $2 million (equal to $ today) for the Army Emergency Relief Fund. The company of men that staged the play were the only Army outfit to be fully integrated, but only so off-stage. The show toured the UK in 1943, appearing at the London Palladium from 10 to 27 November, before playing at the Glasgow Empire for a week from 30 November. Irving Berlin still appeared, but some numbers were changed for the UK production. Musical director was Milton Rosenstock. In the "well dressed man in Harlem" section James Cross danced with Billy Yates. According to a note in the Glasgow programme written by Jacob L Devers, the 150-strong American soldier cast, "following their tour of Great Britain... will be sent to Africa to play before Allied soldiers, then will join America's fighting forces". Proceeds of the British tour were given to British service charities, and it was also a stipulation that "the soldiers of our Allies,