Who Is Rodgers And Hammerstein: The Unstoppable Musical Theatre Duo

Today, I am seeing “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”, starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. I am viewing this in M.O.T Charter High School’s theater classroom. I am seeing this with my fellow theater classmates. Although I have seen this film before , I am very thrilled to hear Whitney Houston and Brandy sing “Impossible/It’s Possible”! The three elements I am discussing in this piece are costuming, set, and singing.

His musical career took off from there with invitations to write original pieces for concerts, tours, and such groups as the Boston Symphony. In 1938, Copland wrote a ballet about William Bonney. William grew

Oklahoma! Is the first musical that was written by both Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, or commonly known as the pair “Rodgers and Hammerstein”. Written in 1906 and produced in 1943 on Broadway; the pair wrote this musical revolving around the love stories of various people living in Oklahoma territory when there was a very firm grip on gender roles, especially the presence of male domination. Oklahoma! Supplies the audience with heavy acts of male domination in various dance numbers like “The Farmer and the Cowman” songs; such as “Poor Jud is Dea”, “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin” and even disputes between cowboys and farmers. Oklahoma’s patriotic love story seems as if it was made to be viewed by people as an act of recreation, but also for people who want to explore the time of frontier America where male dominance was heavily present.

There are many well-known lyricists and composers, but none of them have left a mark on the theatre world like Rodgers and Hammerstein. The duo produced eleven musicals during their partnership and made an extensive change in musical comedy. They set a new standard that are still followed to this day in musical history.

Kander’s music resonated strong raging romanticism as seen in stage musicals and theater. In 1962, the producer of ‘A Family Affair’ hired Kander and Fred Ebb to open the show in Alvin theater which was not a hit but it solidified their bond. ‘Cabaret’ which opened on 20

Leonard Bernstein is seen as one of the greatest composers in America. Bernstein composed great music, conducted great music, and also preformed great music as a pianist. Bernstein is probably most known for his film score in the production West Side Story. According to The New York Times, he was "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history.” Being born and educated in the United States, Bernstein was the first American to obtain worldwide acclaim. He is also cited in the Encyclopedia of World Biography, that “his special gift of bridging the gap between the concert hall and the world of Broadway made him one of the most glamorous musical figures of his day.”

He was an american librettist,theatrical,producer, and usually uncredited theatre director of musicals for almost 40 years.

Leonard Bernstein is not only one of the greatest composers in America, but also one of the greatest conductors in the world. Bernstein conducted great music, composed great music, and also performed music as a pianist. According to the New York Times, he was “one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history.” Born and educated in the United States, Bernstein was the first American to obtain a worldwide acclaim. He is perhaps most known for his film score in the West Side Story production.

George Gershwin is one of the most celebrated composers of modern times. He is Famous for bridging the gap between Jazz and Classical music, and developing a new kind of popular music that held a genuine, American voice. With such pieces as his Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F he has become the most widely played American composer of all time. Although he boats having one of the most recognizable names in modern music, many people do not truly know the story behind it all.

The chapter where he talks about “West Side Story” is particularly interesting. It was his first piece to appear on Broadway, and it was a collaboration, having a book by Arthur Laurents and music by Leonard Bernstein. Sondheim provided the lyrics, and states a few regrets. One of them being that he felt many of the lyrics to that musical were an effort to impress Bernstein, by being what he deemed poetic. And it is true, if you compare it to his other works, it seems rather bleak, it doesn’t sound like Sondheim.

Essay 2: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s impact on American Musical is unfathomable. Their methods are still praised to this day, and idealized when creating a musical today. Their formula for musicals was that the song was the servant of the play. They would create the music to a play first, then let the plot follow. They did not need to capture crowds like other musicals by getting a known star to be on their show.

When Bernstein realized the lack of recognition he was receiving, he had his own name removed so that Sondheim’s name would ring as the lyricist for West Side Story - for Bernstein admits to having done less work on the lyrics than Sondheim. West Side Story is a well-known and important play in the theatre world at present, but in the beginning, it did not sit very well with people outside the general theatre-loving district. Until years later and a reduction in prices, the musical received mediocre reviews and did not reach many audiences. Now, West Side Story is viewed as an influential and important play and it has reached many audiences over the years since its production. Its relatable plot line and realistic characters have made West Side Story almost as timeless as Shakespeare’s Romeo and

The term “classical” carries a wide variety of meaning depending on the person and subject it is applied to. As it relates to the musical world, the term classical is generally accepted to mean music written in european tradition from 1750 to 1830, including symphonies, concerto, and sonata. Prominent musicians from this time such as Mozart and Beethoven have been cemented into our culture for their exquisite works of art, and have surely influenced many others in their field. In many ways, Mozart and Beethoven exemplify what it is to be classical, by making art of a high enough caliber to be a major influence to the music of their time. While more contemporary popular music may have ceased to draw influences from these artists, they have had

Realism played a huge role in the lives of Anton Chekhov and Konstantin Stanislavsky. Both men made a huge impact on the world of theatre, and results are still seen today. Elements from Chekhov’s plays have influenced playwrights that came after him, like the works of Tennessee Williams, who listed that Chekhov had a huge impact on his writing. Stanislavsky’s acting system, based on acting truthfully, inspired many other acting systems that are still used today.

A life of fame, luxury, and well known plays. This was unquestionably the life of Arthur Miller, who is one of America’s well known playwrights of the twentieth century. His impact on American theater is still recognized today and will continue to be looked at for years to come. However, Miller will not only be recognized by his plays but by his high profile marriage, his work in politics and the list goes on. Arthur miller is viewed through American literature by his life, literary works, and impact on American theater.