Broadway Musicals of the 1930s

Step into the swing‑era sparkle of the 1930s as What About Theater? explores the Broadway musicals that defined a decade of resilience and creativity. Even in the midst of the Great Depression, composers like George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Rodgers & Hart produced some of the most iconic shows in musical theater history.

From the jazzy energy of Girl Crazy to the Pulitzer Prize‑winning satire of Of Thee I Sing, and the sophisticated brilliance of Anything Goes, this episode highlights the creators, performers, and innovations that shaped the era. Meet the stars who lit up the stage — Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers, Ray Bolger, and more — and discover how the musicals of the 1930s paved the way for Broadway’s Golden Age.

A lively, insightful journey through a decade when theater offered hope, glamour, and unforgettable music.