''Americana'' is a musical

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...

in two parts, with book and lyrics by J. P. McEvoy, and music by

Con Conrad Con Conrad (born Conrad K. Dober, June 18, 1891 – September 28, 1938) was an American songwriter and producer. Biography Conrad was born in Manhattan, New York, and published his first song, "Down in Dear Old New Orleans", in 1912. Conrad p ...

with additional numbers by

George Gershwin George Gershwin (; born Jacob Gershwine; September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned popular, jazz and classical genres. Among his best-known works are the orchestral compositions ' ...

Ira Gershwin Ira Gershwin (born Israel Gershovitz; December 6, 1896 – August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs in the English language of the 2 ...

, Philip Charig, James Hanley,

B. G. DeSylva George Gard "Buddy" DeSylva (January 27, 1895 – July 11, 1950) was an American songwriter, film producer and record executive. He wrote or co-wrote many popular songs and, along with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs, he co-founded Capitol Re ...

Morrie Ryskind Morris "Morrie" Ryskind (October 20, 1895 – August 24, 1985) was an American dramatist, lyricist and writer of theatrical productions and movies, who became a conservative political activist later in life. Life and career Ryskind was born in ...

Arthur Schwartz Arthur Schwartz (November 25, 1900 – September 3, 1984) was an American composer and film producer, widely noted for his songwriting collaborations with Howard Dietz. Biography Early life Schwartz was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on Novem ...

, Theo Goodwin, Joe Young, and Sam Lewis. The show was presented by Richard Herndon at the

Belmont Theatre The Belmont Theatre, also known during its existence as the Norworth Theatre and the Theatre Parisien, was a Broadway theatre located at 125 W. 48th St., New York, New York. It was designed by architect Eugene De Rosa. It was active as a Broadway t ...

(121 W. 48th Street, New York, NY), and, after many postponements, opened July 26, 1926. The show was staged by Allan Dinehart with dance numbers by Larry Ceballos. The production was designed by

John Held, Jr. John James Held Jr. (January 10, 1889 – March 2, 1958) was an American cartoonist, printmaker, illustrator, sculptor, and author. One of the best-known magazine illustrators of the 1920s, his most popular works were his uniquely styled ...

It ran for 224 performances, closing in February 1927. The cast headlined Lew Brice,

Roy Atwell John Leroy "Roy" Atwell (May 2, 1878 – February 6, 1962) was an American actor, comedian and composer, known for playing characters that mis-deliver their lines or stammer, most notably Doc from Walt Disney's classic Snow White and the Seven Dwa ...

Betty Compton Betty Compton (born Violet Halling Compton; May 13, 1904 – July 12, 1944), was an English actress and singer, who married New York City mayor Jimmy Walker in 1933. Compton was born Violet Halling Compton in Sandown, Isle of Wight. She move ...

, Charles Butterworth and the Eddie Elkins Orchestra. ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' review called it a "witty, ingenious and sophisticated evening of fun-making, it made up in its abundant humor for more than it lacked in some other departments." The other departments referred to were lack of chorus girls and opulent settings. The revue was revived on October 30, 1928, at Lew Fields’ Mansfield Theatre for 12 performances, closing November 3, 1928. It had music by

Roger Wolfe Kahn Roger Wolfe Kahn (October 19, 1907 – July 12, 1962) was an American jazz and popular musician, composer, bandleader (Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra) and an aviator. Life and career Roger Wolfe Kahn (originally spelled "Wolff") was born in ...

and lyrics by J. P. McEvoy and

Irving Caesar Irving Caesar (born Isidor Keiser, July 4, 1895 – December 18, 1996) was an American lyricist and theater composer who wrote lyrics for numerous song standards, including " Swanee", "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Crazy Rhythm", and " Tea for Tw ...

. The cast included

Frances Gershwin Frances Gershwin Godowsky (December 6, 1906 – January 18, 1999) was an American singer, musician, Broadway performer and artist. Background She was born in Manhattan, the younger sister of George, Ira and Arthur Gershwin. She was the firs ...

, the younger sister of George and Ira Gershwin. ''The New York Times'' review called it "a reasonably bright and generally entertaining revue . . ." After trying out in Philadelphia, the show was revived once again on October 5, 1932, at the Shubert Theatre running for 77 performances until December 1932. It was produced by

Lee Shubert Lee Shubert (born Levi Schubart; March 25, 1871– December 25, 1953) was a Lithuanian-born American theatre owner/operator and producer and the eldest of seven siblings of the theatrical Shubert family. Biography Born to a Jewish family, the so ...

and had music by

Jay Gorney Jay Gorney (December 12, 1896– June 14, 1990) was an Americans, American theater and film song writer. Life and career Gorney was born Abraham Jacob Gornetzsky on December 12, 1896, in Białystok, Russia (now part of Poland), the son of Fri ...

Harold Arlen Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck; February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music, who composed over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide. In addition to composing the songs for the 1939 film ...

Herman Hupfeld Herman Hupfeld (February 1, 1894June 8, 1951) was an American songwriter whose most notable composition was " As Time Goes By". He wrote both the lyrics and music. Life and career Hupfeld was born in Montclair, New Jersey, the son of Fredericka ...

, and

Richard Myers Richard Bowman Myers (born March 1, 1942) is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who served as the 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As chairman, Myers was the highest ranking uniformed officer of the United Stat ...

, with lyrics by

E. Y. Harburg Edgar Yipsel Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" ( ...

and sketches by J. P. McEvoy. It was directed by Harold Johnsrud with scenic design by Albert R. Johnson. The cast included Don Barclay,

George Givot George David Givot (February 18, 1903 – June 7, 1984) was a Russian Empire-born American comedian and actor on Broadway and in vaudeville, movies, television and radio. He was known for speaking in a comedic fake Greek dialect and was styled th ...

, the

Doris Humphrey Doris Batcheller Humphrey (October 17, 1895 – December 29, 1958) was an American dancer and choreographer of the early twentieth century. Along with her contemporaries Martha Graham and Katherine Dunham, Humphrey was one of the second gen ...

Dance Group,

Lloyd Nolan Lloyd Benedict Nolan (August 11, 1902 – September 27, 1985) was an American film and television actor. Among his many roles, Nolan is remembered for originating the role of private investigator Michael Shayne in a series of 1940s B movies. Bi ...

, and the

Charles Weidman Charles Weidman (July 22, 1901 – July 15, 1975) was a renowned choreographer, modern dancer and teacher. He is well known as one of the pioneers of modern dance in America. He wanted to break free from the traditional movements of dance f ...

Dancers. It contained the famous song, “

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" is one of the best-known American songs of the Great Depression. Written by lyricist Yip Harburg and composer Jay Gorney, it was part of the 1932 musical revue ''Americana''; the melody is based on a Russian-Je ...

”, which a ''New York Times'' review called "the first song of the year that can be sung" and remarked "Mr. Gorney has expressed the spirit of these times with more heart-breaking anguish than any of the prose bards of the day." The show was also favorably reviewed for its dance numbers.

Songs

First Production * "American Revue Girls" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Con Conrad) * "Sunny Disposish" (Words by Ira Gershwin, music by Philip Charig) * "That Lost Barber Shop Chord" (Words by Ira Gershwin, music by George Gershwin) * "Blowing the Blues Away" (Words by Ira Gershwin, music by Philip Charig) * "Dreaming" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Henry Souvaine and Con Conrad) * "The Promise in your Eyes" * "Cavalier Americana" (Libretto by J. P. McEvoy, music by Henry Souvaine "(with apologies)" * "Riverside Bus" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Con Conrad) * " The Volga Boatmen" * "Tabloid Papers" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Con Conrad) * "Why Do Ya Roll Those Eyes" (Words by Morrie Ryskind, music by Philip Charig) * "Just Lovin'" (Words by J. P. McEvoy, music by Henry Souvaine) * "Scrubwomen's Ballet" (Music by Henry Souvaine) * "Thanks Awful" (Words by Joe Young and Sam Lewis, music by Con Conrad) Third Production * "Get That Sun Into You" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Richard Myers) * "Whistling For a Kiss" (Words by E. Y. Harburg and

Johnny Mercer John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallich ...

, music by Richard Myers) * "Satan’s Li’l Lamb" (Words by E. Y. Harburg and Johnny Mercer, music by Harold Arlen) * "You're Not Pretty But You're Mine" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by

Burton Lane Burton Lane ( Levy; February 2, 1912 – January 5, 1997) was an American composer and lyricist primarily known for his theatre and film scores. His most popular and successful works include '' Finian's Rainbow'' in 1947 and ''On a Clear Day You ...

) * "

" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Jay Gorney) * "Let Me Match My Private Life With Yours" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by

Vernon Duke Vernon Duke ( 16 January 1969) was a Russian-born American composer/songwriter who also wrote under his birth name, Vladimir Dukelsky. He is best known for "Taking a Chance on Love," with lyrics by Ted Fetter and John Latouche (1940), "I Can't ...

) * "Ringside–Madison Square Garden" (Music by

Winthrop Sargeant Winthrop Sargeant (December 10, 1903 – August 15, 1986) was an American music critic, violinist, and writer. Early life Sargeant was born in San Francisco, California on December 10, 1903. He studied violin in his native city with Albert Elku ...

) * "Five Minutes of Spring" (Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Jay Gorney) * "Would’ja For a Big Red Apple" (Words by Johnny Mercer, music by Henry Souvane and Everett Miller) * "Amour a la Militaire" (Music by

Bernard Herrmann Bernard Herrmann (born Maximillian Herman; June 29, 1911December 24, 1975) was an American composer and conductor best known for his work in composing for films. As a conductor, he championed the music of lesser-known composers. He is widely re ...

) * "If I Love Again"

References

{{reflist 1926 musicals Broadway musicals Original musicals Revues