Turned Around

 

I adore Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, and I’m not alone. Whenever I play their tunes, people stop to thank me. Quite often they hum, sing, or dance along, and they occasionally leave tips. One thing that impresses me about these musicals is they usually have a significant role for a mature woman; one with a memorable solo. In Oklahoma, the role is Aunt Eller, who sings a large chunk of “Farmer and the Cowhand.” In Carousel, Nettie has the best song: “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” In South Pacific, Bloody Mary sings “Happy Talk” and “Bali Hai.” Lady Tiang sings “Something Wonderful” in The King and I, Madam Liang sings “Chop Suey” in Flower Drum Song, and the Mother Abbess has “Climb Every Mountain” in The Sound of Music. In Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother sings, “Impossible.” Even more remarkable, considering how few modern musicals have strong, mature female roles, while these were written in the 40’s and 50’s.