Americana (revue)

*Americana*
Americana
	Sheet Music Cover
Music	Con Conrad and Henry Souvaine
Lyrics	J. P. McEvoy
Book	J. P. McEvoy

Last updated July 28, 2024

Americana is a musical revue in two parts, with book and lyrics by J. P. McEvoy, and music by Con Conrad with additional numbers by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Philip Charig, James Hanley, B. G. DeSylva, Morrie Ryskind, Arthur Schwartz, Theo Goodwin, Joe Young, and Sam Lewis. The show was presented by Richard Herndon at the Belmont Theatre (121 W. 48th Street, New York, NY), and, after many postponements, opened July 26, 1926.^[1] The show was staged by Allan Dinehart with dance numbers by Larry Ceballos. The production was designed by John Held, Jr. It ran for 224 performances, closing in February 1927.^[2] The cast headlined Lew Brice, Roy Atwell, Betty Compton, Charles Butterworth and the Eddie Elkins Orchestra.^[2] The New York Times review called it a "witty, ingenious and sophisticated evening of fun-making, it made up in its abundant humor for more than it lacked in some other departments." The other departments referred to were lack of chorus girls and opulent settings.^[3]

The revue was revived on October 30, 1928, at Lew Fields’ Mansfield Theatre for 12 performances, closing November 3, 1928. It had music by Roger Wolfe Kahn and lyrics by J. P. McEvoy and Irving Caesar.^[4] The cast included Frances Gershwin, the younger sister of George and Ira Gershwin.^[5]The New York Times review called it "a reasonably bright and generally entertaining revue . . ."^[6]

After trying out in Philadelphia, the show was revived once again on October 5, 1932, at the Shubert Theatre running for 77 performances until December 1932.^[7] It was produced by Lee Shubert and had music by Jay Gorney, Harold Arlen, Herman Hupfeld, and Richard Myers, with lyrics by E. Y. Harburg and sketches by J. P. McEvoy. It was directed by Harold Johnsrud with scenic design by Albert R. Johnson.^[8] The cast included Don Barclay, George Givot, the Doris Humphrey Dance Group, Lloyd Nolan, and the Charles Weidman Dancers. It contained the famous song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”, which a New York Times review called "the first song of the year that can be sung" and remarked "Mr. Gorney has expressed the spirit of these times with more heart-breaking anguish than any of the prose bards of the day."^[9] The show was also favorably reviewed for its dance numbers.^[10]

Songs

First Production

"American Revue Girls" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Con Conrad)
"Sunny Disposish" (Words by Ira Gershwin, music by Philip Charig)
"That Lost Barber Shop Chord" (Words by Ira Gershwin, music by George Gershwin)
"Blowing the Blues Away" (Words by Ira Gershwin, music by Philip Charig)
"Dreaming" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Henry Souvaine and Con Conrad)
"The Promise in your Eyes"
"Cavalier Americana" (Libretto by J. P. McEvoy, music by Henry Souvaine "(with apologies)"
"Riverside Bus" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Con Conrad)
"The Volga Boatmen"
"Tabloid Papers" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Con Conrad)
"Why Do Ya Roll Those Eyes" (Words by Morrie Ryskind, music by Philip Charig)
"Just Lovin'" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Henry Souvaine)
"Scrubwomen's Ballet" (Music by Henry Souvaine)
"Thanks Awful" (Words by Joe Young and Sam Lewis, music by Con Conrad)^[2]

Third Production

"Get That Sun Into You" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Richard Myers)
"Whistling For a Kiss" (Words by E. Y. Harburg and Johnny Mercer, music by Richard Myers)
"Satan’s Li’l Lamb" (Words by E. Y. Harburg and Johnny Mercer, music by Harold Arlen)
"You're Not Pretty But You're Mine" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Burton Lane)
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Jay Gorney)
"Let Me Match My Private Life With Yours" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Vernon Duke)
"Ringside–Madison Square Garden" (Music by Winthrop Sargeant)
"Five Minutes of Spring" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Jay Gorney)
"Would’ja For a Big Red Apple" (Words by Johnny Mercer, music by Henry Souvane and Everett Miller)
"Amour a la Militaire" (Music by Bernard Herrmann)^[8]
"If I Love Again"

Americana 1932 sheet music Americana2.jpg — *Americana* 1932 sheet music

Related Research Articles

The Winter Garden Theatre is a Broadway theatre at 1634 Broadway in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Originally designed by architect William Albert Swasey, it opened in 1911. The Winter Garden's current design dates to 1922, when it was completely remodeled by Herbert J. Krapp. Due to the size of its auditorium, stage, and backstage facilities, it is favored for large musical productions. It has 1,600 seats and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The auditorium interior is a New York City landmark.

"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" is one of the best-known American songs of the Great Depression. Written by lyricist Yip Harburg and composer Jay Gorney, it was part of the 1932 musical revue Americana; the melody is based on a Russian-Jewish lullaby. The song tells the story of the universal everyman, whose honest work towards achieving the American dream has been foiled by the economic collapse. Unusual for a Broadway song, it was composed largely in a minor key. The song became best known through recordings by Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallée that were released in late 1932. The song received positive reviews and was one of the most popular songs of 1932. As one of the few popular songs during the era to discuss the darker aspects of the collapse, it came to be viewed as an anthem of the Great Depression.

Irving Caesar was an American lyricist and theater composer who wrote lyrics for numerous song standards, including "Swanee", "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Crazy Rhythm", and "Tea for Two", one of the most frequently recorded tunes ever written. In 1972, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The Majestic Theatre is a Broadway theater at 245 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1927, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in a Spanish style and was built for real-estate developer Irwin S. Chanin. It has 1,681 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. Both the facade and interior are New York City landmarks.

The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre is a Broadway theater at 242 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1927, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in a Spanish style and was built for real-estate developer Irwin S. Chanin. It has 1,100 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

The St. James Theatre, originally Erlanger's Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 246 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1927, it was designed by Warren and Wetmore in a neo-Georgian style and was constructed for A. L. Erlanger. It has 1,709 seats across three levels and is operated by ATG Entertainment. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shubert Theatre (Broadway)</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Shubert Theatre is a Broadway theater at 225 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1913, the theater was designed by Henry Beaumont Herts in the Italian Renaissance style and was built for the Shubert brothers. Lee and J. J. Shubert had named the theater in memory of their brother Sam S. Shubert, who died in an accident several years before the theater's opening. It has 1,502 seats across three levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The facade and interior are New York City landmarks.

Jay Gorney was an American theater and film song writer.

The Broadway Theatre is a Broadway theater at 1681 Broadway in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1924, the theater was designed by Eugene De Rosa for Benjamin S. Moss, who originally operated the venue as a movie theater. It has approximately 1,763 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The Broadway Theatre is one of the few Broadway theaters that is physically on Broadway.

The Walter Kerr Theatre, previously the Ritz Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 219 West 48th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was constructed for the Shubert brothers in 1921. The venue, renamed in 1990 after theatrical critic Walter Kerr, has 975 seats across three levels and is operated by ATG Entertainment. The facade is plainly designed and is made of patterned brick. The auditorium contains Adam-style detailing, two balconies, and murals.

The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, formerly the Plymouth Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 236 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1917, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was built for the Shubert brothers. The Schoenfeld Theatre is named for Gerald Schoenfeld, longtime president of the Shubert Organization, which operates the theater. It has 1,079 seats across two levels. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

The John Golden Theatre, formerly the Theatre Masque and Masque Theater, is a Broadway theater at 252 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1927, the Golden Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in a Spanish style and was built for real-estate developer Irwin S. Chanin. It has 800 seats across two levels and is operated by the Shubert Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

The Broadhurst Theatre is a Broadway theater at 235 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1917, the theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was built for the Shubert brothers. The Broadhurst Theatre is named for British-American theatrical producer George Broadhurst, who leased the theater before its opening. It has 1,218 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

The Booth Theatre is a Broadway theater at 222 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1913, the theater was designed by Henry Beaumont Herts in the Italian Renaissance style and was built for the Shubert brothers. The venue was originally operated by Winthrop Ames, who named it for 19th-century American actor Edwin Booth. It has 800 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The facade and parts of the interior are New York City landmarks.

The Ambassador Theatre is a Broadway theater at 219 West 49th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1921, the Ambassador Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and was constructed for the Shubert brothers. It has 1,125 seats across two levels and is operated by The Shubert Organization. The auditorium interior is a New York City designated landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Night in Spain</span>

A Night in Spain is a musical revue with a book by Harold R. Atteridge, music by Jean Schwartz and lyrics by Al Bryan. Additional music and lyrics were contributed by Phil Baker, Sid Silvers and Ted Healy. The revue was presented on Broadway in 1927 for a total of 174 performances.

Miss 1917 is a musical revue with a book by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, music by Jerome Kern, Victor Herbert and others, and lyrics by Harry B. Smith, Otto Harbach, Henry Blossom and others. Made up of a string of vignettes, the show features songs from such musicals as The Wizard of Oz, Three Twins, Babes in Toyland, Ziegfeld Follies and The Belle of New York.

<i>Laffing Room Only</i> 1944 Broadway vaudeville revue

Laffing Room Only is a vaudeville revue in two acts by Ole Olsen, Chic Johnson, and Eugene Conrad, with music and lyrics by Burton Lane. This was the first show for which Burton Lane wrote both the words and the music. It was produced by the Shuberts, Olsen, and Johnson at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, opening December 23, 1944. Laffing Room Only was staged by John Murray Anderson, with comedy directed by Edward F. Cline, music directed by John McManus, dances by Robert Alton, settings by Stewart Chaney, and costumes by Billy Livingston. The production was supervised by Harry Kaufman. It ran for 232 performances, closing on July 14, 1945.

Thumbs Up! is a musical revue in two acts, with book by H. I. Phillips, Harold Atteridge, and Alan Baxter. The show had songs with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Earle Crooker and music by James F. Hanley and Henry Sullivan. Additional lyrics by Karl Stark, Ira Gershwin, John Murray Anderson, Irving Caesar, Jean Herbert, and Vernon Duke and additional music by Vernon Duke, Gerald Marks, and Steve Child. The show was produced by Eddie Dowling at the St. James Theatre. The revue opened on December 27, 1934.

The Straw Hat Revue is a musical comedy revue with sketches mostly by Max Liebman and Samuel Locke, and music and lyrics by Sylvia Fine and James Shelton. It was produced on Broadway in 1939.

References

↑ Mantle, Burns, ed. (1927). The Best Plays of 1926-27. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 363. OCLC 1028725751.
1 2 3 "Americana BROADWAY ORIGINAL 1926". Playbill. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
↑ "AMERICANA APPEALS AS REVUE OF IDEAS; Its Art and Humor Outweigh Its Lack of Chorus Girls and Opulent Settings. GOOD TUNES AND SKETCHES Roy Atwell, Lew Brice, Charles Butterworth and Harriett Burke Excel in Their Roles". The New York Times . July 27, 1926. pp. Sports Amusements 15. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
↑ Mantle, Burns, ed. (1929). The Best Plays of 1928–29. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 406. OCLC 1028724152.
↑ "Americana BROADWAY REVIVAL 1928". Playbill . Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
↑ "'AMERICANA' REVIEWS REVUES AMUSINGLY; McEvoy Pot-Pourri Tuneful and Up-to-Date, With Music by Roger Wolfe Kahn". The New York Times . 31 October 1928. pp. Sports Amusements 28. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
↑ Mantle, Burns, ed. (1933). The Best Plays of 1932-33. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 395-396. OCLC 1028722283.
1 2 "Americana BROADWAY REVIVAL 1932". Playbill . Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
↑ Atkinson, Brooks (6 October 1932). "THE PLAY; Design and Dance in an "American Revue" That Repre- sents Modern Taste in Artistry". The New York Times . pp. Sports Amusements 19. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
↑ Martin, John (16 October 1932). "THE DANCE: A NEW FIELD IN THE THEATRE; Revue Numbers of the Early Season Make A Wide Appeal -- Notes and Comment". The New York Times . p. Section X p 11. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[Mantle,_Burns_p._363-1] Mantle, Burns, ed. (1927). The Best Plays of 1926-27. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 363. OCLC 1028725751.

[playbill_26-27-2] 1 2 3 "Americana BROADWAY ORIGINAL 1926". Playbill. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.

[3] "AMERICANA APPEALS AS REVUE OF IDEAS; Its Art and Humor Outweigh Its Lack of Chorus Girls and Opulent Settings. GOOD TUNES AND SKETCHES Roy Atwell, Lew Brice, Charles Butterworth and Harriett Burke Excel in Their Roles". The New York Times . July 27, 1926. pp. Sports Amusements 15. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

[4] Mantle, Burns, ed. (1929). The Best Plays of 1928–29. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 406. OCLC 1028724152.

[playbill_28-5] "Americana BROADWAY REVIVAL 1928". Playbill . Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

[6] "'AMERICANA' REVIEWS REVUES AMUSINGLY; McEvoy Pot-Pourri Tuneful and Up-to-Date, With Music by Roger Wolfe Kahn". The New York Times . 31 October 1928. pp. Sports Amusements 28. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

[7] Mantle, Burns, ed. (1933). The Best Plays of 1932-33. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 395-396. OCLC 1028722283.

[playbill_32-8] 1 2 "Americana BROADWAY REVIVAL 1932". Playbill . Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

[9] Atkinson, Brooks (6 October 1932). "THE PLAY; Design and Dance in an "American Revue" That Repre- sents Modern Taste in Artistry". The New York Times . pp. Sports Amusements 19. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

[10] Martin, John (16 October 1932). "THE DANCE: A NEW FIELD IN THE THEATRE; Revue Numbers of the Early Season Make A Wide Appeal -- Notes and Comment". The New York Times . p. Section X p 11. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]