Among those who crossed paths with Abbott early in their careers are Desi Arnaz, Gene Tierney, Betty Comden, Hal Prince, Adolph Green, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Bob Fosse, Stephen Sondheim, Elaine Stritch, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Liza Minnelli.
The music was written by Jule Styne, adapted from Felix Mendelssohn’s Op. 62 No. 6, Allegretto grazioso in A major (Frühlingslied, or Spring Song) in Book 5 of Lieder ohne Worte (Songs Without Words), with the lyrics by Frank Loesser.
Brascia made his Broadway debut on February 11, 1953 in the musical version of the film "Nothing Sacred," titled Hazel Flagg, which featured a score by Jule Styne and Bob Hilliard.
Bob Merrill and Jule Styne met with director Gene Saks for several weeks to work on the musical, but Saks eventually decided not to do the show.