Which musical is considered to be the first true American musical play, according to Wikipedia?
The original production of the show premiered on the 27th of December, 1927
The musical was based on the bestselling novel of the same name (1926). The musical's themes include racial prejudice and tragic love. The musical contributed a lot of classic songs. The premiere of the musical was a very important moment in the history of American musicals. Show Boat was different from the trivial and unrealistic musical comedies that defined Broadway in the early 20th century. It was the first spectacle with seriousness.
Have you ever heard about such a musical?
What are your thoughts on this subject?
18 Comments
Mark Baumann
The years were right on the answers lol
Naked Kitty Slave
Well that was hard when the clue is it opened 12-27-27 and 'Show Boat' has 1927 next to it. SMDH.
Kevin Coleman
How about gettting rid of the years at the end of each answer?
Myrna Walker
Good question. First true American play. Show Boat.
Bill Coe
I call bullsh**. For one you say, according to Wikipedia but then don't provide a reference to back you up. American musical plays had been around for 100 years before Show Boat. A Trip to Chinatown (1891) was Broadway's long-run champion (until Irene in 1919), running for 657 performances, but New York runs continued to be relatively short, with a few exceptions, compared with London runs, until the 1920s. Gilbert and Sullivan were both pirated and imitated in New York by productions such as Reginald de Koven's Robin Hood (1891) and John Philip Sousa's El Capitan (1896). A Trip to Coontown (1898) was the first musical comedy entirely produced and performed by African Americans on Broadway (largely inspired by the routines of the minstrel shows),]
Gery Tillmanns
Great question.
Larry Freeman
Having them post the dates certainly helped to determine the 'first'.
dianemcqiinn
An original winter musical. Lovely
ninakamwene
Lucky guess.
chuckidesantis
The sheet music depicted here is VERY familiar! My mom had a copy since long before I was born. We would play and sing that number as kids and it was old THEN !
Anita Clark Morton
Not only heard of Show Boat, I've watched it MANY times, and bought my daughter the DVD of it, because she loves musicals as well
echayes1a
I was given a chance to see the play while in school. An alum paid for my entire upper class to attend a matinee. I have never forgotten the experience and as a result I love the theatre
George Oliver Prince
Simply had to be
foxphilam
got it on a 50/50
wok
where are you seeing snow boat