Chapter 8: Broadway and Musical Theater
As Lorenz Hart’s health deteriorated in the early 1940s—due to a combination of alcoholism, depression, and chronic illness—his collaboration with Richard Rodgers became increasingly strained. Hart’s erratic behavior and declining reliability made it difficult to sustain their creative output, prompting Rodgers to seek a more stable working relationship. In 1942, Rodgers teamed up with Oscar Hammerstein II, a seasoned lyricist known for his work on operettas like Show Boat. Their partnership marked the beginning of the most influential era in American musical theater. Together, Rodgers and Hammerstein redefined the book musical, elevating it to new heights of narrative cohesion, emotional complexity, and cultural significance.
Their first collaboration, Oklahoma! (1943), marked a turning point in Broadway history. It was among the earliest musicals to fully integrate story, song, and dance, with each musical number serving a clear purpose in advancing the plot and revealing character. With memorable songs like “People Will Say We’re in Love,” Oklahoma! was not just a commercial triumph; it was a cultural milestone that set a new standard for what musical theater could accomplish.
Building on that groundbreaking success, Rodgers and Hammerstein went on to create some of the most beloved and enduring works in the Broadway canon, including:
Carousel (1945)
South Pacific (1949)
The King and I (1951)
The Sound of Music (1959)
Their work included iconic songs such as “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Climb Every Mountain,” and “My Favorite Things,” many of which have become central to the American musical repertoire. These musicals addressed complex themes such as racism, war, colonialism, and family dynamics, all within narratives that were both emotionally resonant and musically rich.
Rodgers and Hammerstein not only dominated the Broadway stage during their era but also transformed the American musical into a respected and influential art form. Their shows were adapted into widely successful films, extending the influence of Broadway to audiences around the world and helping to define the Golden Age of Broadway, which spanned from the 1940s through the early 1960s.
Today, the music and stories created by Rodgers and Hammerstein continue to be essential to performers and audiences alike. Their legacy lives on through frequent revivals, new recordings, and the foundational storytelling techniques they helped establish, where songs are inseparable from character development and dramatic progression.