the cradle will rock

THE CRADLE WILL ROCK (1937) was a socialist, anti-materialistic piece written by Marc Blitzstein.

It took place in the mythical city called Steeltown, and the main characters were Factory Owner Mr. Mister and his family.

It was originaly to be produced by the Federal Government-sponsored WPA theater.

However, the government decided it didn't want to sponser a "Marxist" musical so on Opening Night, the cast arrived at the theater to find it padlocked.

Blitztein then lead the company and audience to an empty theater nearby. So as not to get into trouble for putting on the show, the cast purchased tickets and performed their roles from the audience, with Blitzstein at the piano and acting as Narrator to help transition the storyline between songs.

Show was a modest success--with the Marxist anthem "The Nickel Under Your Foot" emerging.

A London revival was recorded several years ago on CD, but I believe it is out of print.

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It took me a few years to find the script, and when I read it, it was like, WTF??? But a lot of that 30s stuff -- CRADLE WILL ROCK, JOHNNY JOHNSON, a few others -- are such a different kind of musical theatre that even considering the idea of a revival today would be professional suicide.

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There is a 1985 cast recording available with Patti LuPone singing "Nickel Under Your Foot". It also has a bonus cd with John Houseman discussing the original show.

Will Geer (Grandpa Walton) was in the original cast.

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The recording from the movie directed by Tim Robbins is really good. Erin Hill from CABARET(an original Kit Kat Girl) was very good with a small role in the Movie and on the CD singing a really cute song. Audra McDonalds' on there too as well as Susan Sarandon. I'd definitely say it's worth purchasing.

I saw the 1985 off-Broadway production at (I believe) the American Place Theatre. It opened with John Houseman standing at a podium for about 15 minutes telling the history of the piece. Very stirring to hear his account. Patti Lupone was terrific doubling as the prostitute and as Sister Mister.