Classical Mythology, 7th Edition - obinfonet: dia logou

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THE SURVIVAL OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
delight the heart of the classicist perhaps are not so widely known. This and
other musicals that also appear in film versions are discussed in this section.
In 1923, Harry (Harold) Ruby composed Helen of Troy, with lyrics by
B. Kalmar and a libretto by G. S. Kaufman and M. Connelly. Better known is the
high-spirited musical by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, By Jupiter (1942),
derived from Julian Thompson's play The Warrior's Husband, which starred
Katharine Hepburn. The story is based on Hercules' ninth Labor, his quest for
the magical girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. On this expedition, as
we know, Theseus joins Hercules and receives the Amazon Antiope as his share
of the spoils. In By Jupiter, we are given a light-hearted picture of Hippolyta's
queendom, where the women are rulers and warriors and the men take care of
domestic duties. Among other things, the Greeks conquer the Amazons through
the invincible power of love, and Sapiens (known as Sappy), the timid husband
of Hippolyta, becomes the rightful king. Rodgers and Hart felt that this amusing
treatment of the conflict between the Greeks and the Amazons had serious
and timely things to say about relationships between men and women.
The musical Out of This World (1950) is a witty satire on the amatory pursuits
of Jupiter by the master, Cole Porter. The plot bears some resemblance to
the legend of Amphitryon, revolving as it does upon Jupiter's infatuation with
a lovely American mortal. During previews in Boston, there was trouble with
the censor because of the lyrics, thought to be too risqué; the scanty dress of the
performers; and an evocative ballet sequence directed by Agnes de Mille. Despite
striking visual effects and an excellent cast, Out of This World did not have
a long run on Broadway. Nevertheless, both the score and the lyrics are vintage
Cole Porter.
Another work on Amphitryon, Olympus on My Mind (1986), is an entertaining,
lightweight musical comedy of no great consequence; the book and lyrics
by Barry Harman were "suggested by" the Amphitryon of Heinrich von Kleist;
music is by Grant Sturiale. Jupiter, Alcmena, Mercury, a slave Sosia, and his wife
Charis offer plenty of humorous antics revolving around mistaken identities;
they are assisted by an amusing chorus made up of Tom, Dick, Horace, and
Delores.
Still another variation on the same theme is by Richard Rodgers, The Boys
from Syracuse (1938), with lyrics by Lorenz (Larry) Hart and based on Shakespeare's
A Comedy of Errors, which is reminiscent of Plautus' Menaechmi and
Amphitryo. This lovely score and delightful romp (also made into a movie) revolves
around a confusion about the twin Antipholuses, accidently separated
shortly after birth, and their twin servants, both named Dromio.
In this context must be mentioned A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum (1962), by Stephen Sondheim, who also wrote the book. Based upon various
plays of Plautus, this musical is a clever, funny, and melodic amalgamation
of all the basic archetypes and stereotypes (both in characterization and
plot) of new comedy. Indeed, one of the very best Plautine comedies has been