Musicology Annotation << Back Jerome Kern, the Father of American Musical O.L. Monde The article considers creative heritage of Jerome David Kern, a noted American composer, in the field of musical theatre. As many as 19 musicals, written by him, are reviewed through the prism of the composer’s changing philosophy, regarding the place of music and songs in dramatics, as well as the role of a musical as a musical and dramatic art genre in revealing social ideals of the society. Keywords: Jerome David Kern, musical, musical theatre. E-mail: lmonde@rambler.ru C. 16–20