George White’s Scandals

Of all the revues that enjoyed more than one annual edition, the George White’s Scandals series was the nearest to the Ziegfeld Follies in fame and longevity. Beginning in 1919, George White, who had danced in two Follies, turned out 13 editions in 21 years. His series was faster paced, more youthful, less ornately mounted than their model, with a greater emphasis on dancing and new dance steps. They also differed from the Follies in having one songwriter or team of songwriters responsible for an entire score, e.g. George Gershwin who, with various lyricists, composed the music for five editions between 1920 and 1924. The 1922 Scandals introduced Gershwin’s first Broadway hit, “I’ll Build a Strairway to Paradise,” performed as the first-act finale, and “Blue Monday,” an “Opera ala Afro-American.” Though it was not well received and was removed after opening night, the work was a forerunner of the composer’s later full-length opera, Porgy and Bess. For subsequent editions of the George White’s Scandals see pages 52 and 76.

Music

George Gershwin

Lyrics

B. G. DeSylva