"Music in the Air," a musical crafted by Oscar Hammerstein II for lyrics and book, and Jerome Kern for music, made its Broadway debut in 1932. This production followed the successful collaboration of Hammerstein and Kern on "Show
Boat" in 1927. The musical introduced several notable songs, including "The Song Is You," "In Egern on the Tegern See," and "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star." Its journey on the New York stage spanned multiple theaters and decades, showcasing its enduring appeal and the creative talents behind it.
The Original Broadway Production: A Successful Debut
The original Broadway production of "Music in the Air" opened its doors at the Alvin Theatre on November 8, 1932. This initial run proved to be quite successful, leading to a move to the 44th Street Theatre on March 31, 1933. The show continued its performances there until its closing on September 16, 1933, accumulating an impressive total of 342 performances. This lengthy run solidified its place as a significant work in the musical theater landscape of the early 1930s.
The direction of this inaugural production was a joint effort by Jerome Kern, who also composed the music, and Oscar Hammerstein II, who penned the lyrics and book. The cast featured a roster of talented performers, including Reinald Werrenrath as Cornelius, Natalie Hall as Frieda Hatzfeld, Tullio Carminati as Bruno Mahler, and Katherine Carrington as Sieglinde Lessing. Other notable cast members included Al Shean as Dr. Walter Lessing, Walter Slezak as Karl Reder, Nicholas Joy as Ernst Weber, and Marjorie Main as Anna. The musical score was expertly orchestrated by Robert Russell Bennett, contributing to the overall artistic quality of the production. Grace Panvini, an opera singer, also made her stage debut as part of the ensemble in this original cast.
A Revival and Shifting Settings
Years later, "Music in the Air" returned to the Broadway stage with a revival production in 1951. This revival ran from October 8, 1951, through November 24, 1951, at the Ziegfeld Theatre. Oscar Hammerstein II once again took the directorial reins for this production, demonstrating his continued involvement with the work. The cast for the revival featured Jane Pickens, Dennis King, and Charles Winninger in prominent roles.
Interestingly, the 1951 revival saw a significant change in its setting. Due to potential anti-German sentiment following World War II, Hammerstein decided to alter the musical's location from Munich to Zurich. This change also resulted in the characters being given Swiss nationalities, a notable departure from the original Bavarian setting. This adaptation highlights how external historical events can influence artistic choices in theatrical productions, aiming to resonate more appropriately with contemporary audiences.
International and Regional Performances
Beyond its Broadway runs, "Music in the Air" also found an audience internationally and in regional American theaters. The musical opened in London's West End at His Majesty's Theatre on May 19, 1933, enjoying a run of 199 performances. This international staging further demonstrated the musical's broad appeal.
In the United States, the musical was staged multiple times at The Muny, an outdoor musical theater in St. Louis, Missouri. These regional productions occurred in 1934, and again in 1937, 1944, and 1951. The repeated stagings at The Muny underscore the musical's popularity and its ability to captivate audiences in various theatrical settings over several decades.
