The Rothschilds

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Rothschilds
Logo
Music Jerry Bock
Lyrics Sheldon Harnick
Book Sherman Yellen
Based upon The Rothschild family
Productions 1970 Broadway

The Rothschilds is a musical with a book by Sherman Yellen, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock.

Based on The Rothschilds by Frederic Morton, it tells of the rise of the Rothschild family from humble beginnings in Germany, to their founding of their financial empire and growing political influence under the guidance of patriarch Mayer Rothschild, to their assistance in funding Napoleon's defeat, and how they secure a declaration of rights for European Jews in the midst of an oppressive era.

The Rothschilds was the last work by Bock and Harnick. The show was a step forward in the careers of Hal Linden, Jill Clayburgh, Chris Sarandon, and Robby Benson.

Contents

[edit] Productions

After thirteen previews, the Broadway production, directed and choreographed by Michael Kidd, opened on October 19, 1970 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where it ran for 505 performances. The cast included Hal Linden as Mayer Rothschild, Leila Martin as Gutele, Jill Clayburgh as Hannah Cohen, Keene Curtis in the multiple roles of Prince William of Hesse, Joseph Fouche, Herries, and Prince Metternich, Paul Hecht as Nathan Rothschild, Chris Sarandon as Jacob Rothschild, and Robby Benson as young Solomon Rothschild. Reid Shelton replaced Curtis later in the run. The show enjoyed a second production in San Francisco.

An off-Broadway revival directed by Lonny Price and choreographed by Michael Arnold opened on February 10, 1990 at the American Jewish Theatre, where it ran for 435 performances. The cast included Mike Burstyn as Mayer, Leslie Ellis as Hannah, Allen Fitzpatrick in the multiple roles of Prince William of Hesse, Joseph Fouche, Herries, and Prince Metternich, Robert Cuccioli as Nathan, and David Cantor as Amshel.

[edit] Synopsis

In 1772 Frankfurt, Germany, Jews are restricted to living in the ghetto and frequently are the victims of violence. Mayer Rothschild returns from Hanover, where he was an apprentice banker, to make his fortune in his home town. Because only twelve Jewish marriages are permitted in a given year, he is forced to come up with a plan in order to marry his fiancée Gutele. He reopens his shop, carrying goods and rare coins. At the Frankfurt Fair, he entices Prince William of Hesse with fanciful tales about rare coins, then bribes the prince in order to marry Gutele. Later, Mayer becomes agent for the court bankers, but he wants more.

By 1778, Mayer and Gutele have five sons, each of whom enters the business as soon as they're old enough. As they age, they and their father chafe at the many restrictions and indignities heaped upon Jews. In 1804, their success and their chutzpah take them to Denmark as superior court agents to the Danish king when Hesse must loan money to him to help fight a war. However, Hesse is overthrown by Napoleon, and Minister of Police Joseph Fouche takes over. When Mayer and his sons return to Germany, they find no court for which they can be agents. Mayer sends his sons off to collect Hesse's debts before the French can get them, and Nathan Rothschild is sent to London to invest the money.

Initially awkward in England, Nathan soon displays considerable investing talents. He falls in love with Hannah Cohen, an aristocratic English "Jewish Joan of Arc" devoted to charitable works. He eventually wins her over by pledging to loan money to England to help win their war against Napoleon if the Chancellor of the Exchequer Herries pledges to make Germany and Austria lift their restrictions on Jews. In Germany, Prince Metternich promises roughly the same thing if the Rothschilds make the loan. In 1818, Metternich reneges on his bargain, and old Mayer dies, broken-hearted. His sons scheme to force Metternich to come to terms by continually undercutting his price for peace bonds, although the plan brings them to the brink of bankruptcy. Metternich not only concedes but is forced to guarantee that all state bonds will be handled by the House of Rothschild. The ghetto walls are torn down, and Mayer's dream is realized.

[edit] Song list

Act I
  • Prologue: Pleasure and Privilege -- Prince William of Hesse
  • One Room -- Mayer and Gutele (Mama)
  • He Tossed a Coin -- Mayer , Vendors and Ensemble
  • Sons -- Mayer, Gutele, Young Amshel, Young Solomon, Young Nathanand Young Jacob
  • Everything -- Nathan, Gutele, Solomon, Kalman, Amsheland Jacob
  • Rothschild and Sons -- Mayer, Nathan, Solomon, Kalman, Amsheland Jacob
  • Allons -- Joseph Fouche and Male Ensemble
  • Rothschild and Sons (Reprise) -- Mayer, Nathan, Solomon, Kalman, Amsheland Jacob
  • Sons (Reprise) -- Gutele (Mama) Rothschild and Mayer Rothschild
Act II
  • Hymn: Give England Strength -- Herries and Male Ensemble
  • This Amazing London Town -- Nathan Rothschild
  • They Say -- Sceptic and Male Ensemble
  • I'm in Love! I'm in Love! -- Nathan Rothschild
  • I'm in Love! I'm in Love! (Reprise) -- Hannah Cohen
  • In My Own Lifetime -- Mayer Rothschild
  • Have You Ever Seen a Prettier Little Congress? -- Prince Metternich
  • Stability -- Prince Metternich and Ensemble
  • Bonds -- Nathan, Solomon, Kalman, Amshel, Jacob, Prince Metternich and Ensemble

[edit] Awards and nominations

  • Tony Award for Best Musical (nominee)
  • Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (nominee)
  • Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominee)
  • Tony Award for Best Lyrics (nominee)
  • Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Linden, winner)
  • Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Curtis, winner)
  • Tony Award for Best Scenic Design (nominee)
  • Tony Award for Best Choreography (nominee)
  • Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (nominee)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Musicals by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick