Official Website of Composer Marc Blitzstein
Opera in one act (1929). Libretto by George Whitsett.
Karl-Heinz Steffens, conductor
release date: November 2026
World premiere recording. First performed in 2025 as part of the Bauhaus Music project.
New cast recording (June 2017), recorded live at Opera Saratoga
John Mauceri, Conductor
Lawrence Edelson, Artistic and General Director
Release date: July 2018
Features Blitzstein's original orchestration
Original Broadway Cast (April 1938): Howard da Silva, Ralph MacBane, Peggy Coudray, et al; Orson Welles, director; Marc Blitzstein, piano
New York City Opera cast (1960)
Tammy Grimes, David Atkinson, Craig Timberlake, Kenneth Smith, et al.; Howard da Silva, director; Lehman Engel, conductor
Theater Four Cast (November 1964): Jerry Orbach, Gordon B. Clarke, Nancy Andrews, et al.; Howard da Silva, director; Gershon Kingsley, piano
Acting Company cast (September 1985)
Patti LuPone, David Schramm, Randle Mell, et al.; John Houseman, director; Michael Barrett, piano
Blank Theatre Company cast (1995)
Jeffrey Rockwell, Peter van Norden, Ali Mandelbaum, et al; Stephen Bates, piano
Cradle Will Rock (film soundtrack). With Audra McDonald, Eddie Vedder, Susan Sarandon, Vicki Clark, et al. (includes “Nickel under the Foot,” “Moll’s Song,” “Croon Spoon,” “Joe Worker,” “Honolulu,” “Oh, What a Filthy Night Court,” “Reverend Salvation,” “The Cradle Will Rock”)
Marc Blitzstein Discusses His Theatre Compositions.
Spoken Arts Distinguished Composers Series
With Evelyn Lear, Roddy McDowall, Jane Connell, Alvin Epstein; Marc Blitzstein, piano and narration (includes "Nickel under the Foot" and the Hotel Lobby scene)
Studio Cast (1991): Rosalind Rees, Thomas Bogdan, Fay Kittelson, et al.; Adirondack Chamber Orchestra and the Gregg Smith Singers; Gregg Smith, conductor
Selections from the score performed by Marc Blitzstein (demo recordings)
Original Cast (1941): Martin Wolfson, Carol Channing, Olive Deering, et al.; Marc Blitzstein, piano
New York City Opera (April 1958): Brenda Lewis, George Irving, Elizabeth Carron, et al.; Herman Shumlin, director; Samuel Krachmalnick, conductor
Reissue of New York City Opera 1958 recording
Brenda Lewis as Regina Giddens; Joshua Hecht as Horace Giddens; Helen Strine as Alexandra Giddens; George Irving as Benjamin Hubbard; Elisabeth Carron as Birdie Hubbard; Emile Renan as Oscar Hubbard; Carol Brice as Addie; Loren Driscoll as Leo Hubbard; Andrew Frierson as Cal; Ernest McChesne as William Marshall
New York City Opera Orchestra & Chorus
conducted by Samuel Krachmalnick
Scottish Opera (May 1991): Katherine Ciesinski, Samuel Ramey, Angelina Reaux, et al.; John Mauceri, conductor
(translated and adapted by Blitzstein)
Original Off-Broadway Cast (1954): Lotte Lenya, Scott Merrill, Jo Sullivan, Charlotte Rae, Bea Arthur, et al.; Carmen Capalbo, director; Samuel Matlowsky, conductor
Note: The Off-Broadway cast recording includes many cuts and changes in Blitzstein's original English lyrics.
