The Complete Guide to 1910s Broadway Musicals: A Nostalgic Journey Through the Golden Age

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of 1910s Broadway musicals. Explore the groundbreaking shows, legendary stars, and timeless melodies that shaped the Golden Age of musical theater.

The 1910s marked a pivotal decade in the history of Broadway musicals. It was a time of innovation and experimentation, when new forms of musical theater emerged and the stars of the stage became household names. From the groundbreaking works of Jerome Kern and George M. Cohan to the lavish extravaganzas of Florenz Ziegfeld, the 1910s were a golden age for musical theater.

The Complete Book of 1910s Broadway Musicals

by Dan Dietz

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1797 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	583 pages

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In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a nostalgic journey through the 1910s Broadway musicals, exploring the most iconic shows, the legendary stars who brought them to life, and the timeless melodies that continue to enchant audiences today.

Groundbreaking Shows

The 1910s saw the emergence of new forms of musical theater, including the book musical and the revue. The book musical, with its emphasis on plot and character development, became the dominant form of musical theater in the decades to come. Some of the most groundbreaking book musicals of the 1910s include:

• Show Boat (1927) by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II: This groundbreaking musical tells the story of a Mississippi riverboat captain and his family. It features some of Kern's most beautiful melodies, including "Ol' Man River" and "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine."
• Oklahoma! (1943) by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II: This Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is set in the American West and tells the story of a young cowboy and a farm girl who fall in love. It features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most famous songs, including "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "Oklahoma!"
• My Fair Lady (1956) by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner: This classic musical is based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion and tells the story of a professor who transforms a Cockney flower girl into a lady. It features some of Loewe and Lerner's most memorable songs, including "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "The Rain in Spain."

The revue, a more episodic form of musical theater, also flourished in the 1910s. Some of the most popular revues of the decade include:

• The Ziegfeld Follies: This lavish annual revue, produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, featured some of the biggest stars of the Broadway stage, including Fanny Brice, Al Jolson, and Will Rogers.
• The Passing Show: This revue, produced by George White, was known for its clever sketches and satirical songs.
• The Scandals: This revue, produced by George White and William Morris, was known for its risqué humor and beautiful showgirls.

Legendary Stars

The 1910s Broadway musicals were filled with legendary stars who brought the shows to life. Some of the most iconic stars of the decade include:

• Fanny Brice: This comedienne and singer was one of the biggest stars of the Ziegfeld Follies. She was known for her Yiddish-inflected humor and her signature song "My Man."
• Al Jolson: This singer and actor was one of the most popular stars of the Broadway stage and the early days of Hollywood. He was known for his powerful voice and his charismatic stage presence.
• Will Rogers: This humorist and actor was one of the most beloved stars of the Ziegfeld Follies. He was known for his homespun wisdom and his sharp wit.
• Ethel Merman: This singer and actress was one of the biggest stars of the Broadway musical stage. She was known for her powerful voice and her brassy personality.
• Fred Astaire: This dancer and actor was one of the most iconic stars of the Broadway musical stage and the Hollywood musical film. He was known for his graceful dancing and his charming stage presence.

Timeless Melodies

The 1910s Broadway musicals are filled with timeless melodies that continue to be performed and enjoyed today. Some of the most popular songs from the decade include:

• "Ol' Man River" from Show Boat
• "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine" from Show Boat
• "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from Oklahoma!
• "Oklahoma!" from Oklahoma!
• "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady
• "The Rain in Spain" from My Fair Lady
• "Alexander's Ragtime Band" from Irving Berlin's Music Box Revue
• "The Man I Love" from Lady, Be Good!
• "Tea for Two" from No, No, Nanette
• "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" from Oh, Boy!

The 1910s Broadway musicals were a golden age for musical theater. They introduced new forms of musical theater, launched the careers of legendary stars, and created timeless melodies that continue to be performed and enjoyed today. This comprehensive guide has provided a nostalgic journey through this extraordinary decade in the history of musical theater.

For further exploration, we recommend the following resources:

• The Complete Book of 1910s Broadway Musicals
• Remembering the Early Golden Age of Broadway Musicals: 1910-1925
• American Experience: The Broadway Musical

The Complete Book of 1910s Broadway Musicals

by Dan Dietz

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1797 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	583 pages

FREE