This book examines two interwoven narratives crucial to an understanding of twentieth-century American culture: the stories of Jewish acculturation and of the development of the American musical. Here we delve into the work of the most influential artists of the genre during the years surrounding World War II and encounter new interpretations of classics such as "The Jazz Singer," "Babes in Arms," "Oklahoma!," "Annie Get Your Gun," "South Pacific, " and "The King and I." We see how the communities these musicals invented ...
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This book examines two interwoven narratives crucial to an understanding of twentieth-century American culture: the stories of Jewish acculturation and of the development of the American musical. Here we delve into the work of the most influential artists of the genre during the years surrounding World War II and encounter new interpretations of classics such as "The Jazz Singer," "Babes in Arms," "Oklahoma!," "Annie Get Your Gun," "South Pacific, " and "The King and I." We see how the communities these musicals invented and the anthems they popularized constructed a vision of America that fostered self-understanding as the nation became a global power.
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