Susan's 2018 Reading Blog: Rodgers and Hammerstein Quarterly Challenge

Rodgers and Hammerstein Quarterly Challenge

September 15, 2018 -December 14, 2018

If you haven’t seen one of their musicals, you’ve heard of them!

Levels:

I’ve heard those names before! Read a book for any five rules.

I know a song or two! Read a book for any 10 rules.

I’ve seen one of the movies! Read a book for any 15 rules.

I can sing along! Read a book for any 20 rules.

I’ve seen one of the shows! Read a book for any 25 rules.

I've seen them all! Read a book for any 30 rules.

I’ve been IN one of the shows! Read a book for all 35 rules.

Rodgers and Hammerstein were a highly influential and successful musical theatre writing team. Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) was the composer and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) was the lyricist/dramatist. Together they collaborated on five very successful musicals with film versions and frequent revivals. Their work is said to have initiated the ‘golden age’ of theatre and their musical theatre writing partnership called the greatest of the 20th century. Between their shows, and the film versions, their work earned 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, 2 Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Best known for their upbeat and cheerful songs/music, Rodgers and Hammerstein didn’t shy away from social issues. They addressed racism, sexism and classism in some of their works.

1. Read an award winning book.

2. Read a book that has been made into a movie or TV show - or should be.

3. Read a book written by two authors.

4. Read a book with over 5000 ratings or with an average rating 4.5 or over.

5. Read a book book set in the theatre or with an artist for a MC.

Oklahoma! was the first show of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s partnership. Independently drawn to the story, working together allowed them both to work in their preferred writing style - writing the lyrics first and then adding the music. This allowed the songs (and dance) in the musical to be part of the story and add detail, a revolutionary change. Another change from the usual musical was there were no ‘stars’ in the show - no big names to draw a crowd. The show opened on Broadway on March 31,1943 and ran for a then unprecedented 2,212 performances! The Academy Award winning film version was made in 1955. Songs included were "Oklahoma!", "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’", "People Will Say We’re in Love", "I Cain’t Say No" and "Surrey with the Fringe on Top".

6. Read a book with 4&3 or two 5s in the page count. Or since the movie opened in October, read a book published initially in October of any year.

7. "Oklahoma!" - Read a book set in or with a character from Oklahoma. Or written by an author from Oklahoma.

8. "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" - Read a book with an optimistic character.

9. "I Cain’t Say No" - Read a book with a women who is comfortable with her sexuality.

10. "People will Say We’re in Love" - Read a romance.

Carousel was their second collaboration and made its Broadway debut on April 19, 1945. It was made into a film in 1956. Adapted from Ferenc Molnár’s play Liliom, it was also revolutionary in that it had a tragic plot and an antihero. This musical addresses the issue of domestic violence, but was ended with a hopeful note. Musical numbers include "The Carousel Waltz", "If I Loved You", "Soliloquy", "June is Bustin’ Out All Over" and "You’ll Never Walk Alone".

11. Read a book with 4&5 or 5&6 in the page count. Or since the movie opened in February, read a book published initially in February of any year.

12. Read a book an antihero, a central character who lacks conventional heroic attributes. Check out THESE LISTS or THIS SHELF for ideas.

13. "Soliloquy" is sung after the antihero learns he is about to be a father. Read a book with a father character.

14. "June is Bustin’ Out All Over" - Read a book published in June of any year. Or a book set in June, all or part.

15. "You’ll Never Walk Alone" - Read a book where friends or family support a character through tough times.

South Pacific opened on Broadway on April 7,1949 and ran for over 5 years. It was made into a film in 1958. It was based on two short stories by James A. Michener in his book Tales of the South Pacific. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948 and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s adaptation won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950. The authors believed that a musical based on Michener’s work would be both financially successful and also send a progressive message on racism. The production won ten Tony Awards! The well known songs from this musical includes "Bali Ha’i’", "I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", "Some Enchanted Evening", "There Is Nothing Like a Dame", "Younger Than Springtime" and "I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy".

16. Read a book with 4&9 or 5&8 in the page count. Or since the movie opened in March, read a book published initially in March of any year.

17. Read a book set in a tropical location or with a multiracial romance or multiracial characters.

18. "Some Enchanted Evening" - Read a book with love at first sight. Or where love occurs very quickly.

19. "Younger Than Springtime" - Read a book with a young, sweet character.

20. "I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy" - Read a book with a sigh-worthy hero.

The King and I was based on Margaret Landon’s novel Anna and the King of Siam and was set in the early 1860s. It opened on Broadway on March 29,1951 and was made into a film in 1956. The musical describes the experiences of Anna, a British schoolteacher, who as the governess to the King’s children is also part of the King’s drive to modernize his country. Anna and the King’s relationship is full of conflict as well as love. So many well known songs came from this musical including "Hello Young Lovers", "Getting to Know You", "Something Wonderful", "I Have Dreamed" and "Shall We Dance".

21. Read a book with 5&1 or 5&6 in the page count. Or since the movie opened in June, read a book published initially in June of any year.

22. Read a book with a schoolteacher or student in the story.

23. "Hello Young Lovers" - Read a book with characters who begin as young lovers, could be YA, NA or a second chance romance.

24. "Getting to Know You" - Read a book with MCs who meet for the first time in the story.

25. "Shall We Dance" - Read a book where music or dancing are part of the story.

Cinderella was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s only work created for television. It is based on the classic fairy tale and aired on March 31, 1957. This show was adapted many times for theatre with a 2013 Broadway version that had added songs. Just a few of the songs in this musical include "Impossible; It’s Possible", "Ten Minutes Ago", "Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful" and "A Lovely Night".

26. Read a book with 5&7 or 1&3 in the page count. Or since the movie aired in March, read a book published initially in March of any year.

27. Read a book that is a retelling of a classic story.

28. "Impossible; It’s Possible" - Read a book where you can’t imagine how the MCs will get out of an impossible situation.

29. "Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful" - Read a book where a MC thinks the other is beautiful.

30. "A Lovely Night" - Read a book with a night scene on the cover.

The Sound of Music was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s last collaboration. It is based on the Von Trapp Family’s story. It opened on Broadway on November 16, 1959 and was made into a film in 1965, both won numerous awards. The Sound of Music had more hit songs than any of their musicals, including "The Sound of Music", "Do-Re-Mi", "My Favorite Things", "Climb Ev’ry Mountain", "So Long, Farewell", "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and "Edelweiss". "Edelweiss" was the last song that Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote together.

31. Read a book with 5&9 or 6&5 in the page count. Or since the movie opened in March, read a book published initially in March of any year.

32. Read a book that has several children in it.

33. "Do-Re-Mi" - Read a book where a character learns something, like the children learn to sing.

34. "My Favorite Things" - Read a book by a favorite author.

35. "Edelweiss" - Read a book with flowers on the cover.

Bonus: Take any Rodgers and Hammerstein song and create a rule. Then read a book for that rule!

1. My Kind of Christmas - Robyn Carr (Mira - Oct 2012) (PW Star) - Nov 30

2. Hope at Christmas - Nancy Naigle (Griffin - Oct 2017) (should be) - Oct 16

3. Dreaming of a Western Christmas - Lynna Banning, Kelly Boyce, Carol Arens (HH #1251 - Oct 2015) - Nov 28

4. Eagle - Janie Crouch (Jane Crouch - Oct 2018) (4.8) - Oct 22

5. Luke - Barbara Freethy (Barbara Freethy - Oct 2016) (musician) - Sept 17

6. Rogue Gunslinger - B.J. Daniels (HI #1809 - Oct 2018) - Oct 23