Who Really Invented the American Musical? Spoiler: An Immigrant
Oklahoma! Spencer Williams Oklahoma! Spencer Williams

Who Really Invented the American Musical? Spoiler: An Immigrant

This blog post explores how immigrant and diasporic voices—like Rouben Mamoulian (Oklahoma!), Geoffrey Holder (The Wiz), and Vinnette Carroll (Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope)—have shaped what we call “Americana” on Broadway. It challenges traditional narratives and urges us to credit those who imagined America into being from the outside in.

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