The Cradle Will Rock

The Cradle Will Rock is a 1937 play with music by Marc Blitzstein. Originally a part of the Federal Theatre Project, it was directed by Orson Welles, and produced by John Houseman. The musical is a Brechtian allegory of corruption and corporate greed, and includes a panoply of societal figures. Set in “Steeltown, U.S.A.,” it follows the efforts of Larry Foreman to unionize the town’s workers, and combat the greedy businessman Mr. Mister who controls the town’s factory, press, church, and social organization.

The piece is almost entirely sung-through, giving it many operatic qualities, although Blitzstein included popular song styles of the time. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) temporarily shut down the project a few days before it was to open on Broadway; so to avoid government and union restrictions, the show was performed with Blitzstein playing piano onstage and the cast members singing their parts from the audience.

Book and music by Marc Blitzstei
Directed by Doug Lockwood
Musical Direction by David Reiffel