The Rothschilds (musical)
| The Rothschilds | ||
|---|---|---|
Book Sherman Yellen | | |
| Basis | The Rothschilds by Frederic Morton | |
| Productions | 1970 Broadway 1990 Off-Broadway | |
The Rothschilds is a
.Based on The Rothschilds by
The Rothschilds was the last collaboration between Bock and Harnick.
Productions
In 1968, Derek Goldby was engaged as the show's director. During out-of-town tryouts, he was replaced by Michael Kidd, which caused a disagreement between Bock and Harnick that ended their partnership.[2]
After thirteen previews, the Broadway production, produced by
An Off-Broadway revival directed by
Synopsis
In 1772
By 1778, Mayer and Gutele have five sons (“Sons”), each of whom enters the business as soon as he is old enough. As they age, they and their father chafe at the many restrictions and indignities heaped upon Jews (“Everything”). In 1804, their success and their chutzpah take them to Denmark as superior court agents to the Danish king when Hesse must loan money to him to help fight a war (“Rothschilds and Sons”). However, Hesse is overthrown by Napoleon, and Minister of Police Joseph Fouché takes over (“Allons”). When Mayer and his sons return to Germany, they find no court for which they can be agents. Mayer sends his older sons off to collect Hesse's debts before the French can get them, and sends his younger son, Nathan, to London to invest the money (“Sons" (reprise)).
Initially awkward in England, Nathan soon displays considerable investing talents (“This Amazing London Town”). He falls in love with Hannah Cohen, an aristocratic English "Jewish Joan of Arc" devoted to charitable works (“I’m in Love! I’m in Love!”). He eventually wins her over by pledging to loan money to England to help win their war against Napoleon if the
Song list
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Adaptation: Rothschild & Sons
In 2015, Harnick and Yellen revised the musical as Rothschild & Sons, greatly restructuring the book as a one-act show and adding previously written but unheard Harnick and Bock songs. The story focuses on Mayer Rothschild's relationships with his sons. It was produced off-Broadway by York Theatre at the Theater at St. Peter's from October to November 2015 and directed by Jeffrey B. Moss. Robert Cuccioli, who played Nathan Rothschild in the 1990 production, played Mayer, Glory Crampton was Gutele. The production received mixed notices.[2] Musical Theatre Review wrote that "Harnick has also written a host of clear, concise lyrics that help further the plot, and the storytelling is further enhanced by Moss’ fluid staging and a host of fine performances, especially the powerful portrayal of Mayer by Robert Cuccioli."[7] Elyse Sommer, writing in CurtainUp, opined that "Rothschild & Sons does indeed offer a refreshing new look at this show's best features: its many sparkling period flavored songs with their narrative pushing lyrics, and the smart compression of that narrative."[1] Victor Gluck called the production "engrossing and admirable,"[8] while The New York Times praised the "rich new production", noting the "splendid 18th-century men’s costumes by Carrie Robbins, low-key yet opulent scenic design (palaces versus the Frankfurt ghetto) by James Morgan [and] assertively nuanced lighting by Kirk Bookman."[9] The show was recorded on JAY Records and filmed for the archive at Lincoln Center.[10]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Tony Award
|
Best Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Book of a Musical | Sherman Yellen | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Score | Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick | Nominated | ||
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
|
Hal Linden | Won | ||
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
|
Keene Curtis | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Michael Kidd | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Nominated | |||
Best Lyrics
|
Sheldon Harnick | Nominated | ||
| Best Scenic Design | John Bury | Nominated | ||
Notes
- ^ The exception is the song "Topsy-Turvy", written for the 2004 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof.
References
- ^ a b "'Rothschild & Sons '| a CurtainUp review". www.curtainup.com. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- ^ a b c Gordon, David. "Rothschild & Sons", TheaterMania.com, October 18, 2015
- ^ "A Review of 'Rothschild & Sons,' an off-Broadway Revision of Harnick, Bock and Yellen's Musical 'The Rothschilds'". Tablet Magazine. 2015-10-26. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- ^ BWW News Desk. "York Theatre Company's ROTHSCHILD & SONS to Close This Weekend". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- ^ Adler, Dick. "'The Producer' by Christopher Davis" (book review), The New York Times, March 5, 1972, p. BR4
- ^ Holden, Stephen. Review: "Spare Revival of a '70 Broadway Music". The New York Times, February 26, 1990
- ^ "Musical Theatre Review: Rothschild & Sons". Musical Theatre Review. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- ^ Gluck, Victor; Editor-in-Chief (2015-11-01). "Rothschild & Sons - York Theatre Company - Robert Cuccioli". TheaterScene.net. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^ Gates, Anita. "Review: In Rothschild & Sons, Getting Even by Getting Rich", The New York Times, October 22, 2015
- ^ "York Theatre Company's Rothschild & Sons to Close This Weekend', BroadwayWorld.com, November 5, 2015
External links
- The Rothschilds at the Internet Broadway Database
- Information about the off-Broadway revival
- Synopsis, analysis and other information
- The Rothschilds at the Guide to Musical Theatre website
- The Rothschilds at the Music Theatre International website