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{{for|the 1941 Looney Tunes animated short|Robinson Crusoe, Jr. (film)}} |
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{{Infobox Musical |
{{Infobox Musical |
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|name= Robinson Crusoe, Jr. |
|name= Robinson Crusoe, Jr. |
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|subtitle= |
|subtitle= |
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|image= |
|image= Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula 1916 sheet music cover.jpg |
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|caption= Sheet music cover (cropped) |
|caption= Sheet music cover (cropped) |
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|music= [[Sigmund Romberg]] and [[James Hanley]] |
|music= [[Sigmund Romberg]] and [[James F. Hanley|James Hanley]] |
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|lyrics=[[ |
|lyrics=[[Harold Atteridge]] |
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|book= [[Edgar Smith]] |
|book= [[Edgar Smith (librettist)|Edgar Smith]] |
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|productions= |
|productions= 1916 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] |
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<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards --> |
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards --> |
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|awards= |
|awards= |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Robinson Crusoe, Jr.''''' is a [[ |
'''''Robinson Crusoe, Jr.''''' is a [[Musical theatre|musical]] with a book by [[Edgar Smith (librettist)|Edgar Smith]], lyrics by [[Harold Atteridge]], and music by [[Sigmund Romberg]] and [[James F. Hanley|James Hanley]]. |
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==Production== |
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Produced by [[Lee Shubert]] and [[J. J. Shubert]], the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production, staged by [[John Kennedy]] and [[choreographed]] by [[Helen Tamiris]], opened on [[February 17]], [[1916]] at the [[Winter Garden Theatre]], where it ran for 139 performances. Cast included [[Al Jolson]], [[Kitty Doner]], [[Claude Flemming]], and [[Mlle. Rodriguez]]. |
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''Robinson Crusoe, Jr.'' was an extravaganza that opened at the [[Winter Garden Theatre]] on 17 February 1916.{{sfn|Everett|2008|p=62}} |
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This show was a “musical extravaganza” dominated by the personality of Al Jolson. He starts out as the chauffer for a person who falls asleep and dreams he is Robinson Crusoe and Jolson is his man Friday. They go from place to place: a Spanish castle, a pirate ship, a forest. Finally, the show gives up all pretense and Jolson just takes over. |
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The original [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production was produced by [[Lee Shubert]] and [[Jacob J. Shubert]], directed by [[J. C. Huffman]] and [[choreographed]] by [[Helen Tamiris]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} |
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Music was by [[Sigmund Romberg]] and the book and lyrics were by [[Harold R. Atteridge]].{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=103}} |
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The show was the last major musical that Jacob J. Shubert staged during [[World War I]], and he instructed Romberg to avoid any of his Austro-Hungarian musical idioms.{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=118}} |
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The cast included [[Al Jolson]], [[Kitty Doner]], [[Claude Flemming]], and Isabelle Rodrigues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Internet Broadway Database |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/robinson-crusoe-jr-8272 |website=ibdb.com |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref> |
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The show was built around Jolson, and was a vehicle for Jolson.{{sfn|Mordden|1988|p=32}}{{efn|Al Jolson's roots in show business came from performing in a carnival and a traveling circus, and then in [[vaudeville]]. |
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He mostly worked in [[blackface]], a convention that originated with [[minstrel show]]s. His breakthrough came with ''[[La Belle Paree]]'' in 1911.{{sfn|Browne|Browne|2001|p=445}} }} |
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A company of two hundred supported Al Jolson in ten major scenes.{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=103}} |
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The show included songs from a number of sources, including some written by Jolson. He often added or removed songs from one show to another. |
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Atteridge created a simple framing story that unified the acts.{{sfn|Everett|2008|p=62}} |
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The show ran on Broadway for 139 performances.{{sfn|Everett|2008|p=297}} |
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It then went on the road in the fall. Jolson sometimes performed twice or three times in one day in one city before moving on.{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=103}} |
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==Synopsis== |
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[[File:Al Jolson in Robinson Crusoe Jr 1916.png|thumb|Scene from the show]] |
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'''Setting:''' [[Long Island, New York]] and Robinson Crusoe's Island |
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Hiram Westbury, a millionaire, is exhausted by some film makers who want to use his estate as a film location. |
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He falls asleep. In his dream, he imagines he is Robinson Crusoe, Jr. |
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His chauffeur, played by Al Jolson, is his Good Friday.{{sfn|Everett|2008|p=62}} |
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Jolson played the chauffeur in [[blackface]].{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=103}} |
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The dreams make up most of the show.{{sfn|Everett|2008|p=64}} |
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After the opening scene the pair travel to Crusoe's island, which is given a haunted forest, and to a pirate ship crewed by chorus girls.{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=103-104}} |
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The "glittering galaxies of gorgeous, glorious, gladsome girlies mirthfully monopolized the mad, merry hours and the ten tremendous tumultuous scenes of ''Robinson Crusoe, Jr.''"{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=104}} |
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At one point in the story trees woke up and began to sway to the music. |
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Jolson has comic interactions with a goat and a crocodile.{{sfn|Bordman|2010|p=363}} |
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The shorter second act was set back in the millionaire's home.{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=104}} |
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There were 27 musical numbers in the show, including five specialty dances. Many of the huge cast danced in ''Minstrel Days''. Jolson himself did not play a major role in the musical numbers, and was always alone on the stage when he sang.{{sfn|Hirsch|2000|p=104}} |
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According to Jolson's biographer Michael Freedland, ''Robinson Crusoe, Jr.'' was "the nearest Jolson had yet come to a show with a real plot ... although from opening night on, it was quite plain that the story was not going to interfere with his domination on stage."{{sfn|Bordman|2010|p=363}} |
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==Songs== |
==Songs== |
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* Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go with Friday on Saturday Night? ( |
* Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go with Friday on Saturday Night? ([[Sam M. Lewis]] & [[Joe Young (lyricist)|Joe Young]] (w), [[George W. Meyer]] (m)) |
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* Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula ( |
* Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula ([[E. Ray Goetz]] & [[Joe Young (lyricist)|Joe Young]] (w), [[Pete Wendling]] (m)) |
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* Where the Black-Eyed Susans Grow (by Dave Radford and Richard Whiting) |
* Where the Black-Eyed Susans Grow (by Dave Radford and [[Richard A. Whiting|Richard Whiting]]) |
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==References== |
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'''Notes''' |
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{{notes}} |
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'''Citations''' |
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{{reflist |colwidth=30em}} |
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'''Sources''' |
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{{refbegin}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Bordman|first=Gerald Martin|title=American Musical Theatre: A Chronicle |
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|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVdShkzkX74C&pg=PA363|access-date=2014-06-03 |
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|year=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-972970-8}} |
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*{{cite book|last1=Browne|first1=Ray Broadus|last2=Browne|first2=Pat|title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture |
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|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&pg=PA445 |
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|year=2001|publisher=Popular Press|isbn=978-0-87972-821-2}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Everett |first=William A.|title=Sigmund Romberg|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POXH4_IE7ooC&pg=PA62|access-date=2014-06-03 |
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|date=2008-10-01|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-13835-1}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Hirsch|first=Foster|title=The Boys from Syracuse: The Shuberts' Theatrical Empire |
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|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lOkvjs6DM_sC&pg=PA103|access-date=2014-06-03 |
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|date=2000-09-05|publisher=Cooper Square Press|isbn=978-1-4616-9875-3}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Mordden|first=Ethan|title=Broadway Babies |
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|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WFyJdLgYlikC&pg=PA32|access-date=2014-06-03 |
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|year=1988|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-536375-3}} |
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{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{ibdb |
* {{ibdb title|id=8272|title=Robinson Crusoe, Jr.}} |
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{{Sigmund Romberg}} |
{{Sigmund Romberg}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT: |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robinson Crusoe, Jr.}} |
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[[Category:1916 musicals]] |
[[Category:1916 musicals]] |
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[[Category:Blackface minstrel shows and films]] |
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[[Category:Broadway musicals]] |
[[Category:Broadway musicals]] |
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[[Category:Musicals by Harold Atteridge]] |
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[[Category:Musicals by Sigmund Romberg]] |
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[[Category:Musicals set in New York]] |
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[[Category:Musicals set on fictional islands]] |
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[[Category:Musicals by Edgar Smith]] |
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Latest revision as of 05:11, 8 March 2024
| Robinson Crusoe, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music cover (cropped) | |
| Music | Sigmund Romberg and James Hanley |
| Lyrics | Harold Atteridge |
| Book | Edgar Smith |
| Productions | 1916 Broadway |
Robinson Crusoe, Jr. is a musical with a book by Edgar Smith, lyrics by Harold Atteridge, and music by Sigmund Romberg and James Hanley.
Production
[edit]Robinson Crusoe, Jr. was an extravaganza that opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on 17 February 1916.[1] The original Broadway production was produced by Lee Shubert and Jacob J. Shubert, directed by J. C. Huffman and choreographed by Helen Tamiris.[citation needed] Music was by Sigmund Romberg and the book and lyrics were by Harold R. Atteridge.[2] The show was the last major musical that Jacob J. Shubert staged during World War I, and he instructed Romberg to avoid any of his Austro-Hungarian musical idioms.[3]
The cast included Al Jolson, Kitty Doner, Claude Flemming, and Isabelle Rodrigues.[4] The show was built around Jolson, and was a vehicle for Jolson.[5][a] A company of two hundred supported Al Jolson in ten major scenes.[2] The show included songs from a number of sources, including some written by Jolson. He often added or removed songs from one show to another. Atteridge created a simple framing story that unified the acts.[1] The show ran on Broadway for 139 performances.[7] It then went on the road in the fall. Jolson sometimes performed twice or three times in one day in one city before moving on.[2]
Synopsis
[edit]
Setting: Long Island, New York and Robinson Crusoe's Island
Hiram Westbury, a millionaire, is exhausted by some film makers who want to use his estate as a film location. He falls asleep. In his dream, he imagines he is Robinson Crusoe, Jr. His chauffeur, played by Al Jolson, is his Good Friday.[1] Jolson played the chauffeur in blackface.[2] The dreams make up most of the show.[8] After the opening scene the pair travel to Crusoe's island, which is given a haunted forest, and to a pirate ship crewed by chorus girls.[9] The "glittering galaxies of gorgeous, glorious, gladsome girlies mirthfully monopolized the mad, merry hours and the ten tremendous tumultuous scenes of Robinson Crusoe, Jr."[10] At one point in the story trees woke up and began to sway to the music. Jolson has comic interactions with a goat and a crocodile.[11] The shorter second act was set back in the millionaire's home.[10]
There were 27 musical numbers in the show, including five specialty dances. Many of the huge cast danced in Minstrel Days. Jolson himself did not play a major role in the musical numbers, and was always alone on the stage when he sang.[10] According to Jolson's biographer Michael Freedland, Robinson Crusoe, Jr. was "the nearest Jolson had yet come to a show with a real plot ... although from opening night on, it was quite plain that the story was not going to interfere with his domination on stage."[11]
Songs
[edit]- Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go with Friday on Saturday Night? (Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young (w), George W. Meyer (m))
- Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula (E. Ray Goetz & Joe Young (w), Pete Wendling (m))
- Where the Black-Eyed Susans Grow (by Dave Radford and Richard Whiting)
References
[edit]Notes
- ^ Al Jolson's roots in show business came from performing in a carnival and a traveling circus, and then in vaudeville. He mostly worked in blackface, a convention that originated with minstrel shows. His breakthrough came with La Belle Paree in 1911.[6]
Citations
- ^ a b c Everett 2008, p. 62.
- ^ a b c d Hirsch 2000, p. 103.
- ^ Hirsch 2000, p. 118.
- ^ "Internet Broadway Database". ibdb.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ Mordden 1988, p. 32.
- ^ Browne & Browne 2001, p. 445.
- ^ Everett 2008, p. 297.
- ^ Everett 2008, p. 64.
- ^ Hirsch 2000, p. 103-104.
- ^ a b c Hirsch 2000, p. 104.
- ^ a b Bordman 2010, p. 363.
Sources
- Bordman, Gerald Martin (2010). American Musical Theatre: A Chronicle. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-972970-8. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- Browne, Ray Broadus; Browne, Pat (2001). The Guide to United States Popular Culture. Popular Press. ISBN 978-0-87972-821-2.
- Everett, William A. (2008-10-01). Sigmund Romberg. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-13835-1. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- Hirsch, Foster (2000-09-05). The Boys from Syracuse: The Shuberts' Theatrical Empire. Cooper Square Press. ISBN 978-1-4616-9875-3. Retrieved 2014-06-03.
- Mordden, Ethan (1988). Broadway Babies. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-536375-3. Retrieved 2014-06-03.