Knickerbocker Holiday

Knickerbocker Holiday (1938), a musical comedy by Maxwell Anderson (book, lyrics), Kurt Weill (music). [Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 168 perf.] As he writes his history of New York, Washington Irving ( Ray Middleton) seems to wander back into the 17th century just as New Amsterdam is awaiting the arrival of Pieter Stuyvesant ( Walter Huston). The town council seeks to divert the new governor from its corruption and ineptitude by staging a hanging, and they select a rebellious young man, Brom Brock ( Richard Kollmar), who brashly has asked to marry Tina Tienhoven ( Jeanne Madden), daughter of one councillor. Stuyvesant pardons Brock but refuses to allow him to marry Tina because Stuyvesant himself decides to marry her. This prompts Brock to rouse the citizens against the governor, who senses the way the political winds are blowing and backs down. His decision is aided by Irving's warning him he must think of his place in history. Notable songs: September Song; It Never Was You; How Can You Tell an American? Many critics considered Anderson's libretto preachy and cumbersome but the Playwrights' Company production found an audience because of Huston's memorable performance, especially his singing of “September Song.”