Ethel Merman

Ethel Zimmerman, better known as Ethel Merman, was one of the most successful musical comedy performers in theatre history. Known for her powerful voice, precise enunciation, and accurate pitch, Merman possessed a distinct advantage over other singers in an era of performances without microphones. She became the favorite of renowned composers like the Gershwins, Cole Porter, and Irvin Berlin, solidifying her status as one of the most influential female performers of her time.

Born and raised in New York City, Merman embarked on her performance journey at a young age. She entertained local military camps during World War I and later participated in multiple vaudeville performances in Manhattan. Following years in high school, Merman transitioned into singing at nightclubs and continued her engagement in vaudeville performances. This early exposure laid the foundation for her remarkable career in musical theater. In 1930, Merman made her Broadway debut in the Gershwins’ show Girl Crazy, in which she introduced the song I Got Rythm, belting a C note for sixteen bars and stunned the theatre world. Running for 272 performances, Merman’s unique style was commented to be “imitative of no one”. After the show, she joined musicals like George White’s Scandals and Take a Chance. In 1934 Merman entered her first of the five shows with Cole Porter, Anything Goes.

She introduced songs like I Get a Kick Out of You, which proved to be another hit with her youthful energy. In the following years, Ethel Merman starred in various productions, including Red, Hot, and Blue, and Du Barry was a Lady. Her close collaboration with Cole Porter showcased her comedic talent and established one of her signatures, a duet. She also reprised her role in the movie version of Anything Goes. By the end of the 1930s, Merman’s name became the guarantee for strong ticket sales.

In August 1945, Merman joined Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's production Annie Get Your Gun, composed by Irvin Berlin. In the show, she was supplied by Berlin with a memorable duet Anything You Can Do, as well as her prominent signature song There’s No Business Like Show Business, and the show became a big success for her. The signature song also was nicknamed the “theatre anthem” in later years. Reuniting with Berlin, Merman starred in the show Call Me Madam, which won her a Tony Award for Best Actress in 1951. Soon in 1959, Merman gained another huge success by starring in the role of Mama Rose in the musical Gypsy. Her performance in Gypsy was considered the performance of her career by many. For her significant contribution and involvement in show business, Ether Merman was considered the most successful comedy performer in the 1950s and ’60s. Later in the 1970s, Merman continued her acting career in television shows and the musical Hello Dolly. In her later life, she produced two autobiographies that documented her dramatic life.

Ethel Merman’s legacy was one to be remembered with reverence and artistic appreciation. She has left widely sung music that influenced the theatre industry for decades and contributed to the show business with her distinct performances.