 As early as 1905 , several abortive attempts were made to produce a stage version of Little Nemo . In mid @-@ 1907 , Marcus Klaw and A. L. Erlanger announced they would put on an extravagant Little Nemo show for an unprecedented $ 100 @,@ 000 , with a score by Victor Herbert and lyrics by Harry B. Smith . It starred midget Gabriel Weigel as Nemo , Joseph Cawthorn as Dr. Pill , and Billy B. Van as Flip . Reviews were positive ; it played to sold @-@ out houses in New York and toured for two seasons . McCay brought his vaudeville act to each city where Little Nemo played . When the Keith circuit refused McCay to perform in Boston without a new act , McCay switched to the William Morris circuit , with a $ 100 @-@ a @-@ week raise . In several cities , McCay brought his son , who as publicity sat on a small throne dressed as Nemo . 
