On 2 August 1944, Mae opened at the Shubert Theatre, Broadway, in her self-penned musical comedy play based on the life and loves of Catherine the Great of Russia, "Catherine Was Great" ( there was a pre-Broadway run at the Forest Theatre in Philadelphia) . The play was produced by Michael Todd and ran for 191 performances. "This was a lavish production which although it ran for 7 months and was a definite popular success, it did not recoup its investment. Following the Broadway run, Mae toured it successfully to Baltimore, Boston and Washington DC . Whilst in the capital she gave a special performance for wounded soldiers."