
In 1975, the Broadway musical Chicago brought together a host of memes and myths - the gleefully subversive character of American musical comedy, the reckless glamour of the big-city newspaper, the mad decade of the 1920s, the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon (two of the greatest talents in the musical's history), and the Wild West gangsterville that was the city of Chicago itself.The tale of a young woman who murders her departing lover and then tricks the jury into letting her off, Chicago seemed too blunt and cynical at first. Everyone agreed it was show biz at its brilliant best, yet the public still preferred A Chorus Line, with its cast of innocents and sentimental feeling. Nevertheless, the 1996 Chicago revival is now the longest-running American musical in history, and the movie version won the Best Picture Oscar.As author Ethan Mordden looks back at Chicago's various moving parts - including the original 1926 play that started it all, a sexy silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, a talkie remake with Ginger Rogers, the musical itself, and at last the movie of the musical - we see how the American theatre serves as a kind of alternative news medium, a town crier warning the public about the racy, devious interior contradictions of American society. Opinionated, witty, and rich in backstage anecdotes, All That Jazz brings the American Musical to life in all its artistry and excitement.
This book investigates the cultural evolution and enduring legacy of the musical Chicago, examining how it reflects the shifting values of American society. Ethan Mordden, a noted chronicler of the American musical theater, utilizes historical records, production archives, and critical analysis to trace the narrative from its 1926 play origins to its status as a global cinematic and stage phenomenon. He argues that the work functions as a mirror for the cynical, racy, and contradictory nature of the American public consciousness.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Readers frequently note the author's witty, opinionated prose style which makes the historical research highly accessible. Experts highlight this as a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of American theater history and social commentary.
Page Count:
272
Publication Date:
2018-01-01
ISBN-10:
0190651814
ISBN-13:
9780190651817
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