''Jamaica'' is a musical with a book by

Yip Harburg Edgar Yipsel Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards " Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" (w ...

and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by

Harold Arlen Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck; February 15, 1905 – April 23, 1986) was an American composer of popular music, who composed over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide. In addition to composing the songs for the 1939 film ' ...

. It is set on a small island off the coast of Jamaica, and tells about a simple island community fighting to avoid being overrun by American commercialism. Arlen's music parodies the popular form of Calypso, which was in vogue in the 1950s, largely as a result of the popularity of

Harry Belafonte Harry Belafonte ( ; born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927 – April 25, 2023) was an American singer, actor, and civil rights activist who popularized calypso music with international audiences in the 1950s and 1960s. Belafonte ...

, for whom the musical originally was written. Belafonte withdrew from the production due to illness, and the musical was tailored around the talents of

Lena Horne Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010) was an American singer, actress, dancer and civil rights activist. Horne's career spanned more than seventy years and covered film, television and theatre. Horne joined the chorus of the C ...

. Harburg was blacklisted in Hollywood at the time of the writing of the musical,Lorenz, Kathleen Phillis
"Spotlight on E.Y. "Yip" Harburg"
. 42ndstmoon.com and the satire is unusually pointed. Many of the topics raised in the songs, including evolution, nuclear energy, and

consumerism Consumerism is a socio-cultural and economic phenomenon that is typical of industrialized societies. It is characterized by the continuous acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing quantities. In contemporary consumer society, the ...

, remain topical today.

Productions

The musical opened in Philadelphia. Later, it moved to Broadway, opening at the Imperial Theatre on October 31, 1957 and closed on April 11, 1959 after 558 performances. The musical was directed by Robert Lewis and produced by

David Merrick David Merrick (born David Lee Margulois; November 27, 1911 – April 25, 2000) was an American theatrical producer who won a number of Tony Awards. Life and career Born David Lee Margulois to Jewish parents in St. Louis, Missouri, Merrick grad ...

, with choreography by Jack Cole, scenic Design by Oliver Smith, costume design by Miles White and lighting design by

Jean Rosenthal Jean Rosenthal (born Eugenia Rosenthal; March 16, 1912May 1, 1969) is considered a pioneer in the field of Lighting Design, theatrical lighting design. She was born in New York City to Romanian-Jewish people, Jewish immigrants. northern.edu, ret ...

. The cast included Ricardo Montalbán as Koli and

as Savannah, with

Ossie Davis Ossie Davis (born Raiford Chatman Davis; December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, Film director, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death. He received num ...

as Cicero, Erik Rhodes as Governor,

Adelaide Hall Adelaide Louise Hall (20 October 1901 – 7 November 1993) was an American-born UK-based jazz singer and entertainer. Her career spanned more than 70 years from 1921 until her death. Early in her career, she was a major figure in the Harlem Ren ...

as Grandma Obeah, and Josephine Premice as Ginger.

Alvin Ailey Alvin Ailey Jr. (January 5, 1931 – December 1, 1989) was an American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT). He created AAADT and its affiliated Alvin Ailey American Dance Cent ...

was the principal dancer. The song " Boy, Girl, and Island" was originally written for the play, but was cut and replaced by "Take It Slow, Joe." Stanley Green, Encyclopedia of the Musical Theater (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1976) p. 216 An original cast recording was released by

RCA Victor RCA Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside Columbia Records (its former longtime rival), Arista Records and Epic ...

Synopsis

Savannah, a beautiful island girl, longs to escape to New York City to live a life of modern conveniences. She is tempted to accept the marriage proposal of a New York businessman visiting the island. However, when Koli, an impoverished fisherman, saves her younger brother's life during a hurricane, she opts to remain with him.

Cast of characters (in order of appearance)

* Koli * Quico * Savannah * Grandma Obeah * Ginger * Snodgrass * Hucklebuck * Island Women * The Governor * Cicero * Lancaster * First Ship's Officer * Second Ship's Officer * Joe Nashua * Dock Worker * Radio Announcer

Song list

;Act I *Savannah *Savannah's Wedding Day *Pretty to Walk With *Push the Button *Incompatibility *Little Biscuit *Cocoanut Sweet *Pity the Sunset *Yankee Dollar *What Good Does It Do? *Monkey in the Mango Tree *Take It Slow, Joe *Ain't It the Truth ;Act II *Leave the Atom Alone *Coconut Sweet (Reprise) *For Every Fish *I Don't Think I'll End It All Today *Napoleon Is a Pastry *Ain't It the Truth (Reprise) *Savannah (Reprise)

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

References

External links

*
Guide to Musical Theatre - Jamaica
* {{Authority control 1957 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals by Harold Arlen Musicals by Yip Harburg Musicals set in Jamaica