The Gershwins and Political Satire
The Gershwins and Political Satire
George S. Kaufman
1889 – 1961
George S. Kaufman’s Biography
The Gershwins and Political Satire
Kaufman turned to Tin Pan Alley himself for a highly ambitious project with the composer/lyricist team of George and Ira Gershwin. The 1927 show, Strike Up the Band, was an aggressive political satire on American government with a strong anti-war sentiment. It closed out-of-town, prompting Kaufman’s oft-quoted remark that “satire is what closes on Saturday night.”
In 1930, with Kaufman’s blessing, Morrie Ryskind softened the book’s tone and changed much of its structure, and the revision gave the Gershwins the Broadway hit that had eluded them three years before. Strike Up the Band set the tone for the four collaborators’ next musical, a groundbreaking masterpiece that made American theater history.
Of Thee I Sing put presidential politics center stage, spoofing the electoral process and the tenuous tenets of American governance. The integration of the libretto and score were more seamless and sophisticated than had been seen on the Broadway stage before, a fact recognized by the Pulitzer Prize committee when they awarded the 1931 show the first Pulitzer ever given to a musical (although the musical contributions of George Gershwin were ignored by the committee).
The quartet’s next attempt, a sequel entitled Let ‘Em Eat Cake (1933), brought the characters of Of Thee I Sing face-to-face with the implications of international fascism with a shrillness that intimidated audiences. Unlike its predecessor, it was not a hit and has never had a successful revival.
Kaufman turned to Tin Pan Alley himself for a highly ambitious project with the composer/lyricist team of George and Ira Gershwin. The 1927 show, Strike Up the Band, was an aggressive political satire on American government with a strong anti-war sentiment. It closed out-of-town, prompting Kaufman’s oft-quoted remark that “satire is what closes on Saturday night.”
In 1930, with Kaufman’s blessing, Morrie Ryskind softened the book’s tone and changed much of its structure, and the revision gave the Gershwins the Broadway hit that had eluded them three years before. Strike Up the Band set the tone for the four collaborators’ next musical, a groundbreaking masterpiece that made American theater history.
Of Thee I Sing put presidential politics center stage, spoofing the electoral process and the tenuous tenets of American governance. The integration of the libretto and score were more seamless and sophisticated than had been seen on the Broadway stage before, a fact recognized by the Pulitzer Prize committee when they awarded the 1931 show the first Pulitzer ever given to a musical (although the musical contributions of George Gershwin were ignored by the committee).
The quartet’s next attempt, a sequel entitled Let ‘Em Eat Cake (1933), brought the characters of Of Thee I Sing face-to-face with the implications of international fascism with a shrillness that intimidated audiences. Unlike its predecessor, it was not a hit and has never had a successful revival.
Contact Us Today
Interested in bringing George S. Kaufman’s timeless plays to your stage?
Please refer to the contact information for each specific play on the various collection pages for direct amateur and professional licensing information.
Plays are represented by Concord Theatricals, Broadway Dramatic Licensing, and Music Theatre International respectively
If you are interested in first-class performance or film/television rights:
In the US, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
CPK Artists, LLC
In the UK, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
Alan Brodie Representation
For more information about George S. Kaufman or this website, contact:
Laurence Maslon
Literary Trustee, George S. Kaufman Estate