Composer

:

George Gershwin

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1927

Average_duration

:

86:43

Movement_count

:

18

Movement ....

"Strike Up the Band" is a musical comedy with music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by George S. Kaufman. The first version of the musical premiered on Broadway in 1927, with a revised version opening in 1930. The plot of the musical revolves around a group of high school students who form a band in order to compete in a national music competition. The band is led by Jimmy Wintergreen, a talented musician who dreams of winning the competition and becoming famous. Along the way, the band faces various obstacles, including financial difficulties and romantic entanglements. The musical was composed during a time of great social and political change in America, and it reflects some of the concerns and anxieties of the era. The characters in the musical are often portrayed as struggling against the forces of authority and tradition, and the music itself is marked by a sense of energy and rebellion. The music of "Strike Up the Band" is characterized by its catchy melodies, jazzy rhythms, and clever lyrics. The show features several memorable songs, including "I've Got a Crush on You," "Soon," and the title song, "Strike Up the Band." The first version of "Strike Up the Band" premiered on Broadway in 1927, and it was a modest success. However, the show was extensively revised and reworked for a 1930 production, which was much more successful. The revised version of the show featured a new book by Morrie Ryskind, as well as several new songs. Despite its success, "Strike Up the Band" has not been as enduringly popular as some of Gershwin's other works, such as "Porgy and Bess" and "An American in Paris." However, it remains an important example of the musical theater of the 1920s and 1930s, and it continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences today.

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