''Fritz in Tammany Hall'' is a

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...

in three acts with music by Jean Schwartz, lyrics by

William Jerome William Jerome Flannery, September 30, 1865 – June 25, 1932) was an American songwriter, born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York of Irish immigrant parents, Mary Donnellan and Patrick Flannery. He collaborated with numerous well-known composers a ...

, and a book by John J. McNally. The musical takes place in 1905 in New York City and on

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...

. It was a political spoof of New York City politics of that period.

History

''Fritz in Tammany Hall'' was the sixth musical created by the Schwartz and Jerome songwriting team. McNally had previously collaborated with Schwartz and Jerome on the musical ''

Lifting the Lid ''Lifting the Lid'' is a musical in four scenes with music by Jean Schwartz, lyrics by William Jerome, and a book by John J. McNally. The musical was a spoof of New York City politics of the early 20th century, and included impersonations of bot ...

'' which premiered four months before ''Fritz in Tammany Hall'' at Broadway's Aerial Gardens on June 5, 1905. ''Fritz in Tammany Hall'' premiered on October 16, 1905, at Broadway's Herald Square Theatre.Bordman & Norton, p. 250-251 The show ran for a total of 43 performances; closing on November 18, 1905. The musical was produced by

Klaw and Erlanger Klaw and Erlanger was an entertainment management and production partnership of Marc Klaw and Abraham Lincoln Erlanger based in New York City from 1888 through 1919. While running their own considerable and multi-faceted theatrical businesses ...

, co-directed and choreographed by

Herbert Gresham Herbert Gresham (1852, London - February 23, 1921) was an English-born American theatre director, choreographer, and actor. Life and career Herbert Gresham was born in London in 1852. He began his career as an actor as a member of Augustin Daly's ...

and Ned Wayburn, and used sets by Frank Platzer and Meixner. F. Richard Anderson designed the costumes and Anton Heindl served as music director.Mantle, Sherwood & Chapman, p. 498 Like the prior ''Lifting the Lid'', ''Fritz in Tammany Hall'' was a

satire Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, often with the intent of shaming ...

of New York City politics. The plot centered around a German immigrant, the baker Fritz von Swobenfritz, who unexpectedly in elected to the

New York City Board of Aldermen The New York City Board of Aldermen was a body that was the upper house of New York City's Common Council from 1824 to 1875, the lower house of its Municipal Assembly upon consolidation in 1898 until the charter was amended in 1901 to abolish t ...

and is thrust into the politics surrounding

Tammany Hall Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York City political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society. It became the main loc ...

. The role of Swobenfritz was a re-creation of a character made famous on the American stage by the actor J. K. Emmet (1841–1891) during the 19th century. This re-created version of that character was made as a starring vehicle for comedian Joseph Cawthorn.

Stella Mayhew Stella Mayhew (born Izetta Estelle Sadler; November 19, 1874 – May 2, 1934) was an American actress and vaudeville performer. Early life Stella Mayhew was born Izetta Estelle Sadler in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Johnson Briscoe"November 19: St ...

achieved particular success in this production as the Irish widow Mrs. Hart-Judson singing the hit song "I'm a Woman of Importance"; a recording of which is included in the CD anthology ''Music of the New York Stage''. The show's other successful tune, "East Side Lil", was performed by

Ada Lewis Ada Hannah Lewis-Hill born (26 April 1844–13 October 1906) was an English amateur musician and philanthropist. She was a well-known financier of the arts and lover of music, and played the violin and cello; however she was not considered parti ...

in the role of Lil McGrain. Others in the cast included Julius Tannen as J. Edward Corley,

Alison Skipworth Alison Skipworth (born Alison Mary Elliott Margaret Groom; 25 July 18635 July 1952) was an English stage and screen actress. Early years Skipworth was born in London. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Ebenezer Groom and Elizabeth Rodgers, an ...

as Elena McCann, and Mark Hart as Pat McCann among others.Dietz, p. 310-311

Plot

District leader Pat McCann is concerned about the outcome of an upcoming election, and implements a strategy to split the district vote by nominating the non-political German baker Fritz von Swobenfritz for New York alderman. To everyone's surprise, including Swobenfritz and McCann, Swobenfritz wins.

References

Citations

Bibliography

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External links

*{{IBDB show, id=3732 1905 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals by Jean Schwartz Musicals by John J. McNally Musicals by William Jerome Musicals set in New York City Musicals set in the 1900s Tammany Hall