Composer

:

Jerome Kern

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1930

First Performance

:

Oct 15, 1931

The Cat and the Fiddle is a musical comedy with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Otto Harbach. The plot revolves around a composer named Victor Florescu, who is trying to write a successful operetta. He meets a young woman named Shirley, who is also a composer, and they fall in love. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Shirley is engaged to a wealthy man named Jacques. The musical explores themes of love, ambition, and the pursuit of artistic success. The Cat and the Fiddle was composed in 1931 and premiered on Broadway on October 15 of that year. The original production was directed by Monty Woolley and starred Jeanette MacDonald as Shirley and Ramon Novarro as Victor. The musical was a commercial success, running for 395 performances and spawning several popular songs, including "She Didn't Say Yes" and "The Night Was Made for Love." The musical is divided into two acts and features several musical numbers, including solos, duets, and ensemble pieces. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the central conflict, while the second act resolves the plot and features a climactic performance of Victor's operetta. One of the defining characteristics of The Cat and the Fiddle is its use of Kern's signature style, which blends elements of classical music with popular song forms. The musical features several operatic-style arias, as well as more traditional Broadway-style show tunes. The score also includes several instrumental pieces, including a waltz and a tango. Overall, The Cat and the Fiddle is a charming and lighthearted musical that showcases Kern's musical talents and Harbach's witty lyrics. Its enduring popularity has led to several revivals and adaptations over the years, cementing its place as a classic of the musical theater canon.

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