Little Johnny Jones

The 1904 Musical 

Book and Lyrics by George M.  Cohan

"Little Johnny Jones” holds a significant place in the history of American theater. Premiering on November 7, 1904, at the Liberty Theatre, it marked a pivotal moment in the development of the American musical.

The musical centers around the character of Johnny Jones, a brash and confident American jockey who travels to England to compete in the Derby. Jones's adventures and misadventures abroad form the crux of the plot, blending humor, romance, and patriotic fervor. 

Cohan's compositions for the show include some of his most famous songs, such as "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "The Yankee Doodle Boy." These songs not only became hits in their own right but also helped to define the sound of early American musical theater. 

Cohan seamlessly integrated songs into the narrative, using them to advance the plot and develop characters, a technique that would become a standard in later musicals.  Cohan incorporation of American vernacular speech and settings helped to create a distinctly American form of musical theater, distinct from its European predecessors.

As one of the first major American musicals written by an American playwright and featuring American themes, it paved the way for future productions that celebrated American culture and identity. 

ISBN   978-1515284994 

$14.95

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