Let's Have a Song

Before there were good writers who developed the craft in American Musical Theater of leading into a number with dialogue that actually had something to do with the plot (think Showboat, 1927 as groundbreaking there), touring plays would just have people march onto the stage in a line, in costumes vaguely appropriate to the setting, and a major character would say "Fellers, let's have a song." I saw this most beautifully at the penultimate performance of "The Old Homestead" in Swanzey, the third-longest running show in America before it went under.

I looked around.

I have never enjoyed a bunch of guys overacting and chewing scenery so much.