Make Believe: The Broadway Musical in the 1920s

Abstract

The 1920s represented a turning point in history of Broadway musical, breaking with vaudeville traditions of early twentieth century to anticipate more complex, sophisticated musicals of today. Composers Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and their contemporaries revitalized musical with sound of jazz and other new influences. Productions became more elaborate, with dazzling sets, tumultuous choreography, and staging tricks, all woven into tightly constructed story lines. These dramatic changes of 1920s ushered in golden age of American musical theater. Ethan Mordden captures excitement and atmosphere of Broadway during 1920s in Make Believe. In captivating, lively prose, Mordden describes in superb detail stars, songs, jokes-the sheer fun of this era. Here are shows great, interesting, or even bizarre- Sally , The Student Prince, Rose-Marie, Lady, Be Good!, No, No, Nannette, Rainbow, Good News!, Ziegfeld Follies, The Coconuts, The 5 Oclock Girl, Blossom Time, Whoopee. Early on, charisma of entertainers such as bragging Al Jolson (You ain't heard nothin' yet!) , bewitching Marilyn Miller, madly prancing Eddie Cantor, unpredictable Gertrude Lawrence, and indescribable Marx Brothers were essential element in a hit musical. But, as Mordden demonstrates, stars lost power and authors took control, as shows like Desert Song , Peggy-Ann, Strike Up Band, and Sweet Adeline reinvented old forms. The musical became more adult, too, baiting censor in lyrics of Lorenz Hart, Cole Porter, and B. G. DeSylva. And Broadway became more racially integrated, with blackface acts dying out while all-black musicals such as Shuffle Along and Blackbirds shows enjoyed mainstream success. Make Believe reaches its climax with Morddens' deep look at Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's 1927 masterpiece, Show Boat. With its intricate story line spanning four decades, its gala interracial cast, its stunning physical production, its powerful score including Ol' Man River, Bill, Mis'ry's Comin' Aroun', Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man, Life on Wicked Stage, and Why Do I Love You?, Show Boat was first American musical universally hailed as a classic. Fusing decade's developments into one epic show, Kern and Hammerstein created something at once timeless and contemporary, ultimate twenties show but, as producer Florenz Ziegfeld called it on posters, the all American musical comedy.

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