Strike Up the Band

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Strike Up the Band is a musical with a book by Morrie Ryskind, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. During its original 1927 pre-Broadway run, the political satire closed after a Saturday night performance in Philadelphia, fulfilling original librettist's George S. Kaufman's definition of satire as "what closes on Saturday night."

The original book by Kaufman centered on Horace J. Fletcher, a Babbitt-like cheese tycoon who tries to maintain his monopoly on the American market by convincing the United States government to declare war on Switzerland. In 1930, the Gershwins joined with Ryskind, who softened the political overtones, increased the emphasis on romance, made much of the storyline a dream sequence, and replaced cheese with chocolate. Directed by Alexander Leftwich and choreographed by George Hale, the revised production opened on January 14 at the Times Square Theatre and ran for 191 performances. The cast included Dudley Clements and Blanche Ring.

The Gershwin's first fully-integrated score for a book musical was influenced by the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan ^[1]. It was performed by the Red Nichols Orchestra, which included Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Jimmy Dorsey, and Jack Teagarden.

The title song, "Strike Up the Band", was given to the University of California, Los Angeles by the Gershwins in 1936 as "Strike Up the Band for UCLA" and has become one of the school songs.

Aside from the title tune, the 1940 Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney musical film Strike Up the Band had no relation to the stage production.

In 1990, a studio cast recording of the original 1927 score, featuring Rebecca Luker and Don Chastain, was released on the Nonesuch label^[2].

Contents 1 1927 song list 2 1930 song list 3 References 4 External links

[edit] 1927 song list

Act I Fletcher's American Cheese Choral Society 17 And 21 Typical Self-Made American Meadow Serenade Unofficial Spokesman Patriotic Rally The Man I Love Yankee Doodle Rhythm 17 And 21 (Reprise) Act I Finaletto Strike Up the Band

Act II Oh This Is Such A Lovely War Hoping That Someday You'd Care Come-Look-At-The-War Military Dancing Drill How About A Man? Act II Finaletto Homeward Bound/The Girl I Love (Reprise) The War That Ended War Finale Ultimo

[edit] 1930 song list

Act I Fletcher's American Chocolate Choral Society I Mean to Say Typical Self-Made American Soon A Man of High Degree The Unofficial Spokesman Three Cheers for the Union This Could Go On For Years If I Became President Soon (Reprise) (What's the Use of) Hanging Around with You? He Knows Milk Strike Up the Band

Act II In the Rattle of the Battle Military Dancing Drill Mademoiselle from New Rochelle I've Got a Crush on You (How About a Boy) Like Me? Official Resume Ring a Ding Dong Bell (Ding Dong)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Internet Broadway Database entry

v • d • e George and Ira Gershwin musicals and operas
Together	A Dangerous Maid • Primrose • Lady, Be Good! • Tell Me More • Tip-Toes • Oh, Kay! • Strike Up the Band • Funny Face • Rosalie • Treasure Girl • Show Girl • Girl Crazy • Of Thee I Sing • Pardon My English • Let 'Em Eat Cake • Porgy and Bess
George	La La Lucille • Morris Gest "Midnight Whirl" • Blue Monday • Limehouse Nights • George White's Scandals • The Broadway Whirl • Our Nell • By and By • Innocent Ingenue Baby • Walking Home with Angeline • The Rainbow • Sweet Little Devil • Song of the Flame
Ira	Ladies First • The Sweetheart Shop • Two Little Girls in Blue • For Goodness Sake • Molly Darling • Captain Jinks • Garrick Gaieties • Sweet and Low • Shoot the Works • Life Begins at 8:40 • Thumbs Up! • Lady in the Dark • The Firebrand of Florence • Park Avenue