J Cheever Goodwin

The Lion Tamer J Cheever Goodwin

A broke circus owner fakes his own death to fool his creditors and sets off a series of humorous events in this 1891 musical. Life reported "its dialogue is bright and funny to a remarkable degree, its music is original and sparking...its strongest features is the way in which speech and song are proportioned throughout." Produced on Broadway by Frances Wilson, the musical was adored by critics and audiences alike. J. Cheever Goodwin, best known for writing the libretto to the historically significant musical "Evangeline," was one of the most prolific librettists of the late 19th Century. After a short time as a newspaperman, Goodwin turned his attention to the theatre. His first librettos were adaptations of French comic operas, after which most of his works were originals. He would go on to write over 40 musicals, many of them critical acclaimed with long running productions. With composer Woolson Morse, they became the Rodgers and Hammerstein of their day, creating some of the biggest hits of the 1890s including "The Merry Monarch," "Panjandrum,"" Dr. Syntax," and "Lost, Strayed or Stolen," which was a big hit in London.