sentences:  The original cast included Robert Pope (Badfoot), Harold Nicholas (Little Augie), Fayard Nicholas (Barney), June Hawkins (Lilli), Pearl Bailey (Butterfly), Ruby Hill (Della Green), Rex Ingram (Biglow Brown), and Milton J. Williams (Mississippi).It is based upon the novel "God Sends Sunday" by African-American writer Arna Bontemps.The idea for "St. Louis Woman" was originally imagined by Hollywood producer Ed Gross, who wanted to create a musical based upon Arna Bontemps' novel "God Sends Sunday".