it debuted to a full house at the new theatre comique on broadway in new york city on august 29, 1881. songs contributed by david braham include "major gilfeather", as well as "miranda, when we are made one", "veteran's guards' cadets", "clara jenkins' tea", and "4-11-44". it ran for over 150 performances, closing on january 7, 1882, the longest of any harrigan and hart production to that time.