ABSTRACT
After the era of Gilbert and Sullivan came to an end, exclusive creative partnerships became an anomaly in theatrical circles for many years. By the late 1930s, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart excited much comment because of the longevity of their collaboration, but as the century progressed, established teams became a more familiar feature of Broadway. Certainly Rodgers and Hammerstein were famous associates, but Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe established another widely recognized and successful team as well. Lerner and Loewe were fully aware of the innovations of Rodgers and Hammerstein— especially their integrated shows, which Lerner once described as "lyric theater". Lerner also liked fantasy and stories in which life triumphed over death, and all these influences are found in the next collaboration of Lerner and Loewe, Brigadoon. Camelot marked the end of Lerner and Loewe's glory days. Loewe, citing his damaged heart, retired from the theater, while Lerner, like Richard Rodgers, attempted various projects with new partners.
