George M. Cohan Tonight!
An abridged version of the Off Broadway show presented/streamed by Irish Rep Online.
George M. Cohan (July 4, 1878-1942) was as Yankee Doodle Dandy as the marvelous 1942 James Cagney film depicts. Born to Irish immigrant parents, Cohan was literally raised (with his sister Josie) onstage in vaudeville as part of “The Four Cohans.” “My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you,” became one of the most anticipated closing lines of the era.
The cocky, precocious talent eventually took over handling his family’s act (which became extremely successful, despite Cohan’s bridge-burning, egotistical behavior) then went on to write, direct, choreograph, and star in his own productions as well as publishing more than 300 songs. These include the iconic “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Give My Regards to Broadway,” and “Over There.” In the decade before World War, Cohan was known as “the man who owned Broadway.” He would eventually be awarded The Congressional Medal of Honor for Contribution to the American Spirit. Irving Berlin called him his first role model. Oscar Hammerstein II said he was the voice of a generation.
“A long time ago, over 100 years, five of my shows were running at the same time…I gave Broadway its snap, its pace, its beat…Eddie Foy said Cohan can do anything better than anyone in show business except be modest…” Reading The New York Post (with eternity on his hands), Cohan observes that an actor at The New Amsterdam Theater thought he saw a ghost. The ghost, of course, is Cohan whose dandified figure is now before us in straw boater, bow tie and spats.
Cohan tells us the story of his life between performing songs and dances. We hear about years growing up on the road, determination to play (capture) Broadway, association with professional partner Sam Harris (who, before producing with Cohan, had only managed a prize-fighter), love interests, and specific hit shows. The artist even triumphed acting in the original production of Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness!
Songs range from lullabies his father sang to him, to the well known, “Harrigan,” “Only Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway,” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to less familiar numbers like “You Won’t Do a Day of Business if You Haven’t Got a Band,” “All American Sweethearts” and the unusually serious/musing “Life’s a Funny Proposition, After All.” Many are a revelation with verses an especially well crafted surprise.
Jon Peterson has a pleasant tenor delivered very much in the fashion of the era with “moon” and “old” arriving in two syllable lilts, pointed expressiveness, and gestures to capture an audience. He makes Cohan’s story sound personal. Dancing is fleet-footed and crisp. One is left wanting more numbers uninterrupted by exposition. “Learn anything you want in life,” Jerry Cohan told his son, “but first learn to dance.” Peterson’s brightness and enthusiasm buoys the piece throughout. We observe the arrogant persona, but can’t help liking him.
An empty theater offers ghostly setting with oddly uncredited minimal, yet evocative scenery. Camera work is excellent, but seemingly arbitrary changes from black and white to color grow increasingly irksome.
Both entertaining and an intriguing glimpse into a very different era.
Photos Courtesy of Irish Rep
George M. Cohan Tonight!
Written, Arranged, and Originally Directed by Chip Deffaa
Originally presented at Irish Repertory Theater
Abridged version adapted for the screen by Jon Peterson
Featuring Jon Peterson
Music and Lyrics by George M. Cohan
Through August 29, 2021
