Musicals to which you ‘cain’t say no’

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BY JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star

Many historians say the golden age of musical theater in the United States began in 1943 with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s premiere of “Oklahoma!” and ran through the late 1960s.

Here are 15 from that era, listed in chronological order, with reasons why they are considered “great American musicals.”

“Oklahoma!” (1943) — Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration introduced new storytelling elements in a musical, including Agnes de Mille’s choreography that featured a 15-minute dream ballet.

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Actress Kelli O’Hara performs a piece from the musical “South Pacific” during the 62nd Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 15. (Jeff Christensen)

Actress Kelli O’Hara performs a piece from the musical “South Pacific” during the 62nd Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 15. (Jeff Christensen)

“Carousel” (1945) — In 1999, Time magazine, in its Best of the Century list, named this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical the best of the 20th century. The number “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is often performed at graduations and funerals.

“South Pacific” (1949) — This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950 after successfully exploring racial prejudice. The current Broadway production earned 11 Tony nominations and won seven awards, including one for best revival.

“Guys and Dolls” (1950) — Frank Loesser’s Tony-winning musical already was a huge success before matinee idols Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra starred in the 1955 film version. The show was the 10th most performed by high schools in 2007, according to the Educational Theatre Association. (“Oklahoma!” was No. 8.)

“The King and I” (1951) — America had no trouble “getting to know” Yul Brynner, who starred in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Tony-winning Broadway production (their sixth collaboration) as well as the 1955 film version.  

“My Fair Lady” (1956) — Based on George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” it’s often been called “the perfect musical.” The Tony winner featured the talents of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, one of the era’s most successful songwriting teams.  The 1964 movie version won an Oscar for best picture.

“West Side Story” (1957) — Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music), an up-and-coming Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) and Jerome Robbins (choreography) teamed up to create a modern-day “Romeo and Juliet.” The 1961 film version won 10 Oscars, including best picture.

“The Music Man” (1957) — Talk about getting it right the first time … the Tony-winning musical was Meredith Willson’s first. He drew upon his boyhood years in Mason City, Iowa, in writing it. The show opens Thursday at Pinewood Bowl.

“Gypsy” (1959) — The title role may be the meatiest ever for a woman. Some great ones have tackled the role of the single mother living her dreams through her children: Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters and, most recently, Tony winner Patti LuPone.   

“The Sound of Music” (1959) — The final musical from Rodgers and Hammerstein won a Tony and an Oscar and featured several songs that have become standards, including the oft-performed “My Favorite Things.”

“The Fantasticks” (1960) — The Tom Jones/Harvey Schmidt effort is the world’s longest-running musical. It gave us “Try to Remember” and the late Jerry Orbach (El Gallo), who later went on to play Detective Lennie Briscoe on TV’s “Law & Order.”

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962) — This Tony winner by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) set the stage for his later works (“Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Into the Woods,” etc.).

“Fiddler on the Roof” (1964) — This Tony winner is an example of a musical with both a strong story — a traditional man adapting to a changing world — and strong music, with such memorable tunes as “Matchmaker” and “Sunrise, Sunset.”

“Hello, Dolly!” (1964) — Ethel Merman and Mary Martin turned down the part that went to Carol Channing, who won a Tony for her work and turned it into her signature role. The musical itself also won a Tony.

“Cabaret” (1966) — This Tony winner chronicling the turbulent times in 1930s Berlin was the most successful collaboration between John Kander and Fred Ebb.