description Pins and Needles Overview
Pins and Needles is a 1930s Broadway revue offering satirical commentary on American labor relations during that era. The show’s songs and sketches expose tensions between workers and management through sharp wit and observation of industrial life. It primarily targets audiences interested in the history of American theatre, specifically Golden Age revue productions and those studying the social and political context of 1930s America.
insights Why this score
Pins and Needles ranks #6 of 283 in the Revue ranking, behind Cirque du Soleil: KÀ, ahead of Cirque du Soleil: Mystère.
help Pins and Needles FAQ
Who originally performed Pins and Needles on Broadway?
The revue was developed for members of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, many of whom were factory workers rather than established stars. Its success eventually forced the cast to leave their day jobs and perform on a full professional schedule.
What political subjects did Pins and Needles satirize?
Its sketches and songs addressed labor organizing, economic inequality, fascism, social pretension, and New Deal-era politics. The topical material changed over time so the revue could respond to events in the late 1930s.
Who wrote the best-known songs in Pins and Needles?
Harold Rome wrote the music and lyrics for the revue. Frequently revived numbers include "Sing Me a Song with Social Significance" and "Nobody Makes a Pass at Me."
How long did the original Broadway production run?
Pins and Needles opened in 1937 and became an unexpectedly durable Broadway success, running for more than 1,100 performances. That longevity was remarkable for a production that began as an amateur union entertainment.
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