Something Wonderful

I came across this during my month of Reading the Theatre on my blog – it was a good way to learn more about these giants of the musical theatre and about a whole era during which that world completely changed, along with the outer world in which it was embedded. The author did a good job of describing what made the shows special, as well as detailing some flops that we don't hear so much about, and in the end explaining what causes R&H to become a byword for schmaltz and sentimental drivel – unfairly, he convincingly argues.

The end of the men's lives was sad cut short as they were by illness, especially for Rodgers, who was an alcoholic and whose personal life was very ethically questionable. The partnership was more of a parallel working than a real co-creation; the two worked largely separately and would make some comments on each other's work, cordial to each other in public but not exactly friends. They seem to have greatly admired each other while neither was sure whether the other really liked him. The details of all the characters behind the scenes was fascinating – orchestrators really should be given more credit, among others.

A broadly painted Broadway history that gives an excellent overview, even as one feels a bit held at a distance from the subjects. Also made me want to see really good productions of the shows, especially Carousel and South Pacific.