Jamaica is a musical with a book by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Harold Arlen. It is set on a small island off the coast of Jamaica, and tells about a simple island community fighting to avoid being overrun by American commercialism.
Arlen's music parodies the popular form of Calypso, which was in vogue in the 1950s, largely as a result of the popularity of Harry Belafonte, for whom the musical originally was written. Belafonte withdrew from the production due to illness, and the musical was tailored around the talents of Lena Horne.[1] Harburg was blacklisted in Hollywood at the time of the writing of the musical,[1] and the satire is unusually pointed. Many of the topics raised in the songs, including evolution, nuclear energy, and consumerism, remain topical today.
The song "Boy, Girl, and Island" was originally written for the play, but was cut and replaced by "Take It Slow, Joe."[3]
An original cast recording was released by RCA Victor.
Synopsis
Savannah, a beautiful island girl, longs to escape to New York City to live a life of modern conveniences. She is tempted to accept the marriage proposal of a New York businessman visiting the island. However, when Koli, an impoverished fisherman, saves her younger brother's life during a hurricane, she opts to remain with him.
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