Charles Klein

El Capitan Charles Klein

Libretto only, containing complete book and lyrics. Considered John Philip Sousa's most successful musical, "El Capitan" lampooned government officials, historical events, and even comic opera itself. After a try out in Boston, the musical opened on Broadway in 1896 where it was received as a "magnificent hit." Written for the leading musical comedy star of the era, DeWolf Hopper gave a tour-de-force performance as the mercenary El Capitan who must rebuff his country's revolution. Charles Klein was one of the most successful playwrights of the early 20th Century. English born, Klein immigrated to the United States in 1883 and started his successful theatre career. Along with his popular dramas, Klein wrote the libretto to the Sousa's "The Charlatan" and other musicals including "Red Feather," written with composer Reginald De Koven and produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., the 1902 musical "The Auctioneer" produced by David Belasco and "Mr. Pickwick" from the Charles Dickens novel with a score by Manuel Klein. His career was cut short when he drowned in the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 at the age of 48. From 1898 until this death, Klein had a play or musical on Broadway each season, a remarkable achievement.