Sign up to get updates from us
In this episode Albert Evans and I explore the origins of Broadway’s “Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s” -- where it came from, and what artistic, social and cultural forces came together to spark this unlikely phenomenon. We look at its roots in the counterculture youth rebellion of the 1960’s, the rediscovery of classic films from the 1930s and 40s on television, and in the popularization of gay camp culture via the off-off Broadway mega hit DAMES AT SEA. All of this would lead to the triumphant 1971 Broadway revival of NO, NO, NANETTE, which was billed as “the new 1925 musical”.
In the last episode I outlined how a new wave of brash young songwriters swept aside the Golden Age and ushered in Broadway’s Modern Era with shows such as Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell and Two Gentleman of Verona.
But surprisingly, in the midst of this ongoing triumph and ascendance of the Rock Musical, the biggest hit of 1971 was a revival of the Silver Age musical comedy, NO, NO, NANETTE. That’s right the Vincent Youmans musical that has introduced the songs “Tea For Two” and “I Want To Be Happy” way back in the Roaring 20s.
With a heavily retooled book, sparkling new orchestrations and arrangements, and a snazzy, art deco inspired set and costume design, this reincarnation of No, No, Nanette was billed as “the new 1925 musical”. And it became a smash hit, running for 861 performances, and winning 4 Tony Awards for Choreography, Costume Design, and for two of its stars Helen Gallagher, and another vintage movie star, comedian Patsy Kelly. And, after years of it being almost entirely absent from Broadway -- Nanette brought tap dancing back into fashion in a major way.
Most significantly, Nanette fanned a mania for everything and anything that recalled the music, style, and glamour of the 20s, 30s and 40s. The press dubbed this mania “The Nostalgia Craze” as it quickly spread into every aspect of American life.
In this episode Albert Evans and I explore the origins of Broadway’s “Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s” -- where it came from, and what artistic, social and cultural forces came together to spark this unlikely phenomenon. We look at its roots in the counterculture youth rebellion of the 1960’s, the rediscovery of classic films from the 1930s and 40s on television, and in the popularization of gay camp culture via the off-off Broadway mega hit DAMES AT SEA. All of this would lead to the triumphant 1971 Broadway revival of NO, NO, NANETTE, which was billed as “the new 1925 musical”.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With author ELIZABETH T. CFRAFT
with author Douglas L. Reside
with author Laurie Winer
With author Laurie Winer
with author Laurie Winer
With author Trevor Boffone
With Gerard Alessandrini
with Andrew L. Erdman author of Beautiful: The Story of Julian Eltinge, America's Greatest Female Impersonator.
With author Jack Viertel
With special guest Robert W. Schneider host of the new podcast BROADWAY BOUND
With MAYA CANTU author of GREASEPAINT PURITAN: Boston to 42nd Street In The Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes
With author OLIVER SODEN
In this episode, host David Armstrong, along with special guest, Albert Evans, begin to tell the amazing story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African-Americans invented America's signature art form -- the Broadway Musical.
A conversation with Caseen Gaines, author of FOOTNOTES: The Black Artists Who Rewrote the Rules of the Great White Way
