Oscar Hammerstein II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oscar Hammerstein II
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Hammerstein c. 1940
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Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II
July 12, 1895 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | August 23, 1960 (aged 65) Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Columbia University (BA) |
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Oscar Hammerstein II (born July 12, 1895 – died August 23, 1960) was an American writer for musical theater. He wrote the words for songs (lyrics) and the stories for plays (librettos) for almost 40 years. He also produced and directed many shows.
Oscar Hammerstein II won eight Tony Awards and two Academy Awards for his amazing work. Many of his songs are still very popular today. He wrote over 850 songs in his career.
He is most famous for working with composer Richard Rodgers. Together, they were known as Rodgers and Hammerstein. They created many classic musicals like Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Hammerstein helped change musical theater. He made musicals focus more on strong stories and characters, not just light entertainment.
He also worked with other famous composers. These included Jerome Kern, with whom he wrote Show Boat. He also collaborated with Vincent Youmans, Rudolf Friml, and Sigmund Romberg.
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Early Life and Education
Oscar Hammerstein II was born in New York City. His father, William Hammerstein, managed a theater and produced shows. His grandfather, Oscar Hammerstein I, was also a famous theater producer from Germany.
Even though his family was in theater, Oscar's father did not want him to work in the arts. But Oscar loved it!
Oscar went to Columbia University from 1912 to 1916. He also studied law there until 1917. He was a great student and did many activities. He played baseball and acted in college plays called "Varsity Shows."
After his father passed away in 1914, Oscar, then 19, acted in his first play. He continued to write and perform in Varsity Shows throughout his college years.
Starting a Career in Theater
Oscar Hammerstein II left law school to follow his dream of working in theater. He began working with other writers and composers. His first musical, Always You, opened on Broadway in 1920. He wrote both the story and the song lyrics for it.
Over the next 40 years, Hammerstein worked with many different composers. One of his most successful partnerships was with Jerome Kern. In 1927, they created Show Boat. This musical was a huge hit and is still performed today. It was special because it blended songs, humor, and the story together perfectly. It was a "musical play," not just a "musical comedy."
Other musicals by Kern and Hammerstein include Sunny and Music in the Air. Hammerstein also worked with Vincent Youmans on Wildflower, Rudolf Friml on Rose-Marie, and Sigmund Romberg on The Desert Song.
Rodgers and Hammerstein: A Famous Team
Oscar Hammerstein's most famous partnership began when he teamed up with Richard Rodgers. They decided to turn a play called Green Grow the Lilacs into a musical. This became their first collaboration, Oklahoma!, which opened on Broadway in 1943.
Oklahoma! was a groundbreaking show. It made sure that the songs and dances were a true part of the story and helped the characters grow. This made musicals even more meaningful. Experts say Oklahoma! was a "milestone" in theater history.
After Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein created many more masterpieces. These include Carousel, The King and I, and South Pacific. Their shows often explored important social ideas.
Their partnership also produced other Broadway hits. These include Allegro, Flower Drum Song, and The Sound of Music. They also created the musical film State Fair and the TV musical Cinderella. Hammerstein also wrote the story and lyrics for Carmen Jones, a musical based on an opera, featuring an all-black cast.
Supporting Writers
Oscar Hammerstein was a strong supporter of writers' rights in the theater world. He was a member of the Dramatists Guild of America. In 1956, he was chosen as the president of this important organization. He led the Guild until 1960.
Personal Life
Oscar Hammerstein married Myra Finn in 1917. They later divorced in 1929. In the same year, he married Dorothy (Blanchard) Jacobson.
He had three children: William and Alice from his first marriage, and James from his second marriage. He also had two stepchildren, Henry and Susan.
Oscar Hammerstein II passed away on August 23, 1960, at his home in Pennsylvania. He was 65 years old. His last song was "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music.
After his death, the lights in Times Square in New York City were turned off for one minute to honor him. This was a huge tribute to his contributions to musical theater. The Sound of Music was later made into a very popular film in 1965, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
His Impact on Theater
Hammerstein is known as one of the most important "book writers" in Broadway history. He made the story the most important part of a musical, not just the songs or the stars. He helped musical theater become a true art form.
Some people thought his shows were too sentimental. But recent performances of his musicals like Show Boat and Oklahoma! show that he also explored serious social issues. Rodgers and Hammerstein truly believed in the stories they told. Their musicals were often romantic and focused on the importance of love.
Famous Songs
Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the lyrics for 850 songs. Some of his most famous songs include:
- "Ol' Man River" and "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" from Show Boat
- "Indian Love Call" from Rose-Marie
- "People Will Say We're in Love" and "Oklahoma" from Oklahoma! (Oklahoma! became the official state song of Oklahoma in 1953!)
- "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific
- "Getting to Know You" and "Shall We Dance" from The King and I
- The title song "The Sound of Music" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from The Sound of Music
Several albums of his musicals were named to the "Songs of the Century" list. This list was created by important music and arts organizations.
Awards and Recognitions
Oscar Hammerstein won many awards for his work:
- He won two Academy Awards for Best Original Song:
- In 1941 for "The Last Time I Saw Paris" from the film Lady Be Good.
- In 1945 for "It Might as Well Be Spring" from State Fair.
- He won eight Tony Awards. Six were for his lyrics or the story of the musical. Two were as a producer for Best Musical (South Pacific and The Sound of Music).
- Rodgers and Hammerstein won a special Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for Oklahoma!.
- They also won the annual Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950 for South Pacific, along with Joshua Logan.
- In 1950, Rodgers and Hammerstein received a Gold Medal Award for their contributions to New York City.
- He won a Grammy Award in 1961 for Best Musical Theater Album for The Sound of Music.
The Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theater Studies was created at Columbia University in 1981 to honor him.
Legacy and Influence
Oscar Hammerstein II had a big influence on other writers. The famous composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim was a friend of the Hammerstein family. Sondheim said that Oscar's advice and guidance helped him become successful in theater.
The Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater is given out every year. It honors people who have made great contributions to musical theater.
Oscar Hammerstein II is also a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Oscar Hammerstein II para niños
