Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices has announced the first presentation of the chorus’ 83rd season opens on Tuesday, October 29 at 7 PM at Carnegie Hall. In a new adaptation by Laurence Maslon and Sperling, the evening features George and Ira Gershwin, George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind’s political musical satire Strike Up the Band.
Some of the most famous songs from the show, in addition to its irresistible overture and title song, are “The Man I Love” and “I’ve Got a Crush on You”. The original 1927 version of Strike Up the Band was a biting anti-war satire. It was the Gershwins’ first fully-integrated score for a book musical, strongly influenced by Gilbert and Sullivan. It closed in Philadelphia, prompting Kaufman’s famous remark, “Satire is what closes on Saturday night.” With Kaufman’s blessing, the Gershwins turned to Morrie Ryskind to revise it. Songs were cut. New songs were added, with swing rhythms dominating. The politics were replaced by silliness and a happy ending. It opened on Broadway in 1930 and ran for 191 performances.
Tickets, priced from $30, are on sale on August 16, 2024, and may be purchased online at carnegiehall.org, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800,
Carnegie Hall is located at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, NYC
