Oscar Hammerstein's Political Commentary
Great American Lyricist Addresses Topic of War in Musicals
Oct 27, 2008
Oscar Hammerstein openly addressed war in so much of his work, bringing to theatre characters that audiences could relate to. One example of this is Carmen Jones, a modern version of Bizet's classic opera Carmen. It was quite risky to set a show during the present war, and it made a very strong statement, addressing the war, and portraying very real people who were being affected by it. According to Stephen Citron’s book The Wordsmiths, Oscar said at one time that he was not aiming for a "phony sob-in-the-throat trick of grand opera singers in emotional passages [but was rather] portraying two human beings in terrible trouble, two confused souls moving towards their deconstruction with every word they sing.” He makes the audience face harsh realities of war while still entertaining them and moving them.
South Pacific
South Pacific is another musical in which the stigma of war is present beneath the surface of the story. This show received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950, because of its riveting book and lyrics. South Pacific is set during World War II on an island in the South Pacific. The topic of leaving loved ones behind for war, is a sad truth about our country and is candidly explored in this show. The main story revolves around a U.S. navy nurse, Nellie, who falls in love with a French plantation owner. This show explores death because of war, and the survival of relationships throughout a war, without making apologies.
Oklahoma!
Taking a deeper look at Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, one realizes that in the midst of World War II, when the show premiered, these characters were written with honesty, hope and spitfire. This was quite an inspiration to Americans at this time, especially the servicemen who seemed to take a special interest in this show since it hit so close to home. It was even said that soldiers who were shipping overseas would make a point of seeing it before they left. It was during the process of creating this show that Oscar decided his work would continue in this manner. He would no longer be a part of any "shtick" or any shows that compromised integrity. This was, as author Stephen Citron says of Hammerstein and Kern's partnership, "the announcement of what they stood for, their manifesto. They would write deeper, more human, more moving musicals..."
The Sound of Music
One of America's favorites, The Sound of Music, is a beautiful love story that is layered with a much darker topic. The story is set during the beginning of Nazi control in Austria. This is a subject that not only makes for a touching and sad story, but also functioned as an outlet for people's grief and fear. "Edelweiss" brought a kind of peace. The lyrics express a sense of nationalism and pride, making a statement about the tyranny and control being taken. This song was so effective and nostalgic that many people, even today, believe that this song is the national anthem of Austria or an ancient Austrian folk song, but the fact is that Hammerstein actually wrote these lyrics.
The presence of the political unrest and the Nazis made what could have been a light and fluffy story about children and their nanny something very real, unsettling and touching. Hammerstein’s ability to explore the topic of war through the outlet of musical theatre was revolutionary. He made audiences feel something. He made audiences think; and he wrote about war in a way that made it socially relevant when it was new, but also wrote so timelessly, that these topics of war and death still touch audiences today.
