The Cradle Will Rock is a 1937
musical by
Marc Blitzstein. Originally a part of the
Federal Theatre Project, it was directed by
Orson Welles, and produced by
John Houseman. The musical is a
Brechtian allegory of corruption and corporate greed and includes a panoply of societal figures. Set in "Steeltown, USA", it follows the efforts of Larry Foreman to
unionize the town's workers and combat wicked, greedy businessman Mr. Mister, who controls the town's factory, press, church and social organization. The piece is almost entirely
sung-through, giving it many
operatic qualities, although Blitzstein included popular song styles of the time.