The middle of the 20th century is heralded as the Golden Age of musicals and no songwriting partnership personifies this era more than that of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein collaborated to produce classic Broadway shows that would change the way musical theatre works. Shows like Oklahoma, The King and I, South Pacific and The Sound of Music would come to redefine musicals and would imbed several classic showtunes firmly in the cultural psyche.
Their first joint project hit the stage in 1943. As one reviewer notes, Oklahoma! raised the bar for this genre of storytelling.
'Oklahoma! marked a revolution in musical drama. Although not the first musical to tell a story of emotional depth and psychological complexity, Oklahoma! introduced a number of new storytelling elements and techniques. These included its focus on emotional empathy; characters and situations far removed from the audience by time and geography; its use of American historical and social materials; and its use of dance and song to convey plot and character rather than act as an intermission or diversion from the story.'
Rodgers and Hammerstein's final project was The Sound of Music. This production boasted a plethora of showtunes destined to become timeless musical classics. It was made into a film some six years after its debut on Broadway, and was even earmarked by the BBC as a program to air in the event of a nuclear strike, 'designed to “reassure” the public in the aftermath of the attack.' The Sound of Music has undergone many productions and recently featured as the vehicle for a televised talent contest called How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? This contest was presided over by a contemporary giant of musical theatre, one Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Their first joint project hit the stage in 1943. As one reviewer notes, Oklahoma! raised the bar for this genre of storytelling.
'Oklahoma! marked a revolution in musical drama. Although not the first musical to tell a story of emotional depth and psychological complexity, Oklahoma! introduced a number of new storytelling elements and techniques. These included its focus on emotional empathy; characters and situations far removed from the audience by time and geography; its use of American historical and social materials; and its use of dance and song to convey plot and character rather than act as an intermission or diversion from the story.'
Rodgers and Hammerstein's final project was The Sound of Music. This production boasted a plethora of showtunes destined to become timeless musical classics. It was made into a film some six years after its debut on Broadway, and was even earmarked by the BBC as a program to air in the event of a nuclear strike, 'designed to “reassure” the public in the aftermath of the attack.' The Sound of Music has undergone many productions and recently featured as the vehicle for a televised talent contest called How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? This contest was presided over by a contemporary giant of musical theatre, one Andrew Lloyd Webber.