Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

Feb 1940 - Nov 1940

Publication Date

:

1941

First Performance

:

Jan 21, 1941

Average_duration

:

66:41

Movement_count

:

16

Movement ....

Lady in the Dark is a musical with music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and book and direction by Moss Hart. The musical premiered on Broadway on January 23, 1941, and ran for 467 performances. The plot revolves around Liza Elliott, a successful magazine editor who is struggling with personal and professional issues. She seeks the help of a psychoanalyst, who takes her on a journey through her dreams to help her confront her fears and insecurities. The musical is divided into three "sequences," each representing a dream of Liza's. In the first sequence, Liza dreams that she is a little girl in a fantasy world where she is adored by everyone. In the second sequence, she dreams that she is a French chanteuse, performing in a nightclub and dealing with the attentions of various men. In the third sequence, she dreams that she is a housewife in a suburban community, struggling with the expectations of her husband and neighbors. The music of Lady in the Dark is characterized by its eclectic mix of styles, including jazz, classical, and popular music. Weill's score includes such memorable songs as "The Saga of Jenny," "My Ship," and "One Life to Live." The show also features elaborate production numbers, including a ballet sequence in the second sequence and a fashion show in the third sequence. Lady in the Dark was a groundbreaking musical for its time, exploring themes of psychoanalysis and female empowerment. It was also notable for its innovative staging and design, with sets and costumes by the legendary designer, Irene Sharaff. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become a beloved classic of the American musical theater.

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