Cole Porter: I Get a Kick out of You

Cole Porter was not typical of the great writers of musicals in the 1930s and 40s. He was not from an immigrant background, was not poor, was not Jewish, was classically trained, and wrote his own lyrics. He became a household name, and we will look at many of his arvelous Broadway shows, examining the witty lyrics, the melodies that fit them hand-in-glove, and the dancing that made them sparkle. We also look at his personal life which had a hidden impact on the shows; despite his polished image, he had to keep his homosexuality hidden, and also ended his life suffering after a bad accident which left him disabled and living in seclusion, ending his writing career. Tutor: Pauline Greene [external website].