1950’s Theater Dance
In the 1950’s, directors became crucial figures in musical theater,
thanks to veteran George Abbott and new director-choreographers.
This led to a long line of musical classics that formed what is now
called Broadway’s “golden age”. The 1950’s formed the core of the
musical theater repertory.
Composers Rodgers & Hammerstein had four musicals running on
Broadway at one point. As important as they were there were also
many other composers/ lyricists working. Irving Berlin, Frank Loesser,
Meredith Wilson, Cole Porter, Harold Rome, Leonard Bernstein, and
Lerner and Lowe.
Choreographers Katherine Dunham, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Peter
Gennaro, Michael Kidd, were all theatrical forces creating during this
era. Jack Cole was influential on all these choreographers.
Katherine Dunham was an American dancer, choreographer, creator
of the Dunham Technique, author, educator, anthropologist, and
social activist. Dunham had one of the most successful dance careers
in African American and European theater of the 20th century and
directed her own dance company for many years.
Jerome Robbins came from the world of ballet and used dance as a
storytelling device. He danced in several Broadway musicals before
making his first assignment as choreographer in On The Town (1944),
Billion Dollar Bay (1945), High Button Shoes (1947), The King and I
(1951), West Side Story (1957), and Gypsy (1959). He made his debut
as both choreographer and director with Peter Pan (1954). His first
three shows were directed by George Abbott who had a crucial role in
launching the careers of Robbins and Fosse.
Bob Fosse got his start in vaudeville. He received attention
understudying the lead in a Pal Joey revival (1952). He was also
featured in films like Kiss Me Kate, and My Sister Eileen. His first
choreography was The Pajama Game (1954) with George Abbott and
the Damn Yankees (1955) with Abbott and dancer/actress Gwen
Verdon. He used Verdon in two more shows, New Girl in Town (1957)
and Redhead (1959) before marrying Verdon in 1960. Abbott and
Fosse parted ways after New Girl in Town and Fosse resolved to be his
own director for all future projects.
Rodgers & Hammerstein
The King & I (1951) chor. Jerome Robbins
Flower Drum Song (1958) chor. Carol Haney
The Sound of Music (1959) chor. Joe Layton
Irving Berlin
Call Me Madam (1950) chor. Jerome Robbins
Mr. President (1962) chor. Peter Gennaro
Forrest and Wright
Kismet (1953) chor. Jack Cole
Frank Loesser
Guys and Dolls (1950) chor. Michael Kidd
Comden, Green, & Styne
Bells are Ringing (1956) chor. Peter Gennaro
Cole Porter
Kiss Me Kate (1948) chor. Hanya Holm
Can Can (1953) chor. Michael Kidd
Silk Stockings (1955) chor. Eugene Loring
Meredith Wilson
The Music Man (1957) chor. Onna White
Lerner & Lowe
Brigadoon (1947) chor. Agnes De Mille
Paint Your Wagon (1951) chor. Agnes De Mille
My Fair Lady (1956) chor. Hanya Holm
Leonard Bernstein
On The Town (1944) chor. Jerome Robbins
Wonderful Town (1953) chor. Donald Saddler
Candide (1956) chor. Anna Sokolow
West Side Story (1957) chor. Jerome Robbins and Peter Gennaro
Adler and Ross
Pajama Game (1954) chor. Bob Fosse
Damn Yankees (1958) chor. Bob Fosse
Hague and Fields
Redhead (1959) chor. Bob Fosse
Bob Merrill
New Girl in Town (1957) chor. Bob Fosse
Harnick & Bock
Fiorello (1959) chor. Peter Gennaro
