What kind of plays were put on in New York City during the 1930s?

Question

For a book idea, I thought of a young woman whose family has been immensly deprived as a result of the Great Depression. She goes out looking for work to support her younger siblings, and tries out for a part in a play on Broadway--or something or other. What I need is some information on what type of plays were put on, and overall what the theater business was like in the 1930s of NYC.

Thanks so much!! :)

Answer 1

Many types. The first thing that comes to mind is sophisticated comedies about folks in high society, a la Noel Coward. Psychological dramas by Eugene O'Neill. Light comedies by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman and Morrie Riskind (see the Library of America volumes on O'Neill, and Kaufmann; the chronology at the end has many references; biographies of O'Neill will too). _The Man Who Came to Dinner,_ and _Blue Moon_ (written with Ring Lardner).

There were psychological studies by Lillian Hellman (_The Little Foxes, Toys in the Attic_), and plays adapted from works by Steinbeck (_Of Mice and Men_) and others that mirrored the social issues of the 1930's.

Answer 2

Thetre's not much info about regular plays -- but this link has a  list of musicals that you can use to get started.

http://www.musicals101.com/1930s.htm