*Allegro*, the 1947 musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, centers on the life of Joseph Taylor Jr., a character whose journey from a small town to a big-city hospital forms the core of its narrative. The musical delves into his aspirations, temptations, and the moral compromises he faces as he navigates his career and personal relationships. Joe's story is presented as a metaphor for the universal struggle to maintain one's principles
amidst the pressures of success and worldly demands, a theme deeply personal to Hammerstein himself.
Early Life and Influences
The story of Joseph Taylor Jr. begins in 1905, celebrating his birth in a small town. The townsfolk predict great things for him, setting the stage for a life of expectation. Joe's early years are depicted through his perspective, showing his first steps and the comforting presence of his mother, Marjorie, alongside his doctor father. His grandmother plays a significant role, witnessing his milestones and declaring that "the world belongs to Joe" after he learns to walk. These formative experiences establish a foundation of small-town values and the expectation that he will follow in his father's footsteps as a doctor.
As Joe grows, he experiences his first loss with the death of his beloved Grandma. He finds comfort in Jennie Brinker, a businessman's daughter, and their relationship develops through high school. Joe's father, Dr. Taylor, hopes his son will join his medical practice, and he and Marjorie ponder Joe's future with Jennie. However, Jennie's wealthy father, Ned Brinker, disapproves of Joe's long educational path, encouraging Jennie to seek other suitors. This early tension foreshadows the conflict between Joe's simple aspirations and the allure of wealth and status.
The Lure of the City and Moral Compromises
Joe's college years introduce him to a new world, where he befriends Charlie Townsend, a football star and fellow pre-medical student. Their friendship provides Joe with access to social circles, while Charlie benefits from Joe's diligent schoolwork. Meanwhile, Jennie's letters reveal her romances, leading Joe to a brief, unsuccessful attempt at dating another girl, Beulah. Ultimately, Jennie returns to Joe, and despite his mother's disapproval of Jennie's materialism, they marry after Marjorie's sudden death. The wedding is observed by the "unhappy ghosts" of Marjorie and Grandma, symbolizing the potential for future unhappiness.
The second act finds Joe making a bare living as his father's assistant during the Depression. Jennie, unaccustomed to poverty, pressures Joe to accept a lucrative offer from a prominent Chicago physician, Dr. Denby, who is Charlie's uncle. She convinces Joe that this move will allow him to earn money for his father's dream of a small hospital and provide for their future child. Joe reluctantly accepts, leaving his father and the small town behind. In Chicago, Joe becomes disillusioned, ministering to hypochondriacs and attending superficial cocktail parties. His former football star friend, Charlie, turns to drink, and Joe's own carelessness is noted by his nurse, Emily, who secretly loves him. Joe discovers Jennie's affair with an influential trustee, Lansdale, leading to a profound moment of disillusionment.
A Return to Principles
As Joe sits contemplating his life, the voices of his late mother and the friends he left behind urge him to "Come Home." He is offered the prestigious position of physician-in-chief at the Chicago hospital, replacing Denby. However, at a dedication ceremony, Joe has a revelation. Echoing his childhood scene of learning to walk, his Grandma appears, calling for Marjorie to witness his decision. Joe refuses the position, choosing instead to return to his small town to assist his father, accompanied by Emily and Charlie, but not Jennie. This decision signifies his rejection of fortune and fame in favor of his original principles and the simple life he once knew, bringing his journey full circle.
