Composer

:

Jule Styne

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

48:54

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Bells Are Ringing is a musical comedy with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and book by Comden and Green. The musical premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on November 29, 1956, and ran for 924 performances. The plot revolves around Ella Peterson, a telephone answering service operator who becomes involved in the lives of her clients. The musical is set in New York City in the late 1950s. Ella Peterson works for Susanswerphone, a telephone answering service. She is a kind-hearted and well-meaning woman who becomes involved in the lives of her clients, often going above and beyond her job duties to help them. One of her clients is Jeff Moss, a struggling playwright who is suffering from writer's block. Ella falls in love with Jeff, but he is unaware of her true identity. The musical features several memorable songs, including "Just in Time," "The Party's Over," and "Long Before I Knew You." Styne's music is characterized by its catchy melodies and upbeat rhythms, which perfectly capture the spirit of the 1950s. Bells Are Ringing premiered during a time of great change in American society. The 1950s were a time of prosperity and optimism, but also a time of social and political upheaval. The musical reflects this dichotomy, with its lighthearted tone and romantic plot, but also its underlying themes of loneliness and the search for connection in a rapidly changing world. The musical was a critical and commercial success, receiving several Tony Award nominations and winning two, including Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Judy Holliday, who played Ella Peterson. The show also spawned a successful film adaptation in 1960, starring Holliday and Dean Martin. Bells Are Ringing is a classic example of the Golden Age of Broadway musicals, characterized by its memorable songs, witty dialogue, and charming characters. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring appeal of the musical theatre genre.

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