“My regards to broadways” is the opening Episode in the six Episode of the movie Broadway: The American Musical. The episode covers the period from 1893 – 1927 and considers the significance of the New York City and how the immigrants played a role in defining this city. The Broadway musical is a barometer of the American popular culture. The opening episode traces the origins of musicals to the Ziegfeld Follies. The episode introduces many of the era’s key figures such as entertainers Fanny Brice and Bert Williams, who were the first crossover artists (YouTube “My regards to broadways”). In addition, Irving Berlin and George M. Cohan are featured in this episode. The energy of Broadway is embodied by George M. Cohan song and dance routines. Featured also are Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern. In the Broadway, the music and the sound depict the big picture of the American society in late 1890s. The first half of this episode culminates in 1927 Ziegfeld’s production of Jerome and Oscar‘s far-sighted masterpiece, Show Boat. The other half covers the jazz age and the advent of prohibition (YouTube “My regards to broadways”).
Rhyme and rhythm, music and magic, glamour and glitter, dance and drama: these are the ingredients of the Broadway musical. Broadway musical is special in quality, the energy, emotional drive, exhilaration, and vitality. The combination of music, dances, costumes, lighting, songs, acting and direction is unique. Music and dance take precedence in the Broadway musical elements (YouTube “My regards to broadways”). The episode shows how lucrative was the 1927 Broadway season. It included the comedy hits of Irving Berlin’s Ziegfeld Follies; George and Ira Gershwin’s successful Funny Face. We see the introduction of enduring Broadway and jazz standards. The jazz includes Kern’s “Can’t Help Lovin’ ‘dat Man,” and “Ol’ Man River” Observed from a twenty-first century angle, each of these songs provides a cultural value in terms of current fashions, political thought, humour and gender roles in New York City culture in the late 1920s. The performance practice model in the scene marks a departure from the contemporary trends of comedy as a musical drama (YouTube “My regards to broadways”).
The Cohan performance in incredible and bring out this combination. His dancing style is that of a stiff legged progenitor of the moonwalk. The song is so infectious, and one that will strike a person’s mind and the words are nice. The coherent storyline drives the episode. In the song little Johnny Jones, the plot is coherent though light. The lyrics conjure a patriotic ditty. His persona Cohan is reputable, and his theatrical flag-waving and vision of nationhood is delightful. Cohan uses a variety of themes in this song. For instance, he uses colloquial language, patriotic tunes and themes. The scenery and costumes are handsome, and a monument in the plot makes it exciting to watch and catches the feelings of the audience. The music is catchy even though not innovative. The song is laden with lyrical and musical references from other popular tunes (YouTube “My regards to broadways”).
In conclusion, the episode takes a uniquely American art form. The unfolding of history is admirable. The American musical stands out and the in-depth colour in the sense covers a broad musical heritage and history that compose the American popular culture. An in-depth analysis of the Broadway’s can show how it has influenced the popular American culture over the decades. The Broadway music can take the heart of any one who watches or listens.
Work Cited
Movie in YouTube (Broadway: The American Musical (2004 PBS Documentary) Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNgE085lJZU
