Composer

:

George Gershwin

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1933

Average_duration

:

74:29

Movement_count

:

38

Movement ....

'Let 'Em Eat Cake' is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind. The musical was a sequel to the successful 'Of Thee I Sing' and premiered on Broadway on October 21, 1933, at the Imperial Theatre. The show was produced by Sam H. Harris and directed by Kaufman. The plot of the musical revolves around John P. Wintergreen, who has been elected President of the United States. However, he is not satisfied with just being the President and decides to declare himself the King of the United States. This decision leads to chaos and protests from the citizens of the country, who are not happy with the new regime. Wintergreen's wife, Mary, tries to convince him to give up his new title and return to being the President, but he refuses. The story ends with Wintergreen being overthrown and the country returning to democracy. The music of 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' is typical of Gershwin's style, with catchy tunes and jazzy rhythms. The show features several memorable songs, including "Mine", "Union Square", and "I'm the Most Unforgettable Character You'll Ever Forget". The music is accompanied by witty lyrics by Kaufman and Ryskind, which add to the humor of the show. The musical premiered during the Great Depression, and its satirical take on politics and government was well-received by audiences. However, some critics felt that the show was not as strong as its predecessor, 'Of Thee I Sing'. Despite this, 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' ran for 90 performances on Broadway before closing on January 6, 1934. In terms of movements, 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' is part of the American musical theater tradition, which combines music, dance, and drama to tell a story. The show is also an example of the satirical musical, which uses humor and irony to comment on social and political issues. Overall, 'Let 'Em Eat Cake' is a fun and entertaining musical that showcases the talents of George Gershwin and his collaborators. While it may not be as well-known as some of Gershwin's other works, it is still a valuable contribution to the American musical theater canon.

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