Musical Theatre Essay

In 1943, the musical Oklahoma!, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, influenced the artistic style of American musical theatre. The integration of music, book, dance, and design provided a new foundation for the future of Broadway. The musical illustrates the 1940s lifestyle by capturing the essence of rural America during World War II. Americans were at their rock bottom, as the Great Depression wiped them of all things good. Additionally, some of the most vivid and abrupt changes in the history

century, the Theatre District between 41st street and 53rd street, was mainly just farmland and land owned by families all over. Broadway holds over 40 theatres at the moment, but it really wasn’t until the 1920’s-1930’s that theatres’ started to be built down these streets. In the 1930s, Broadway experienced a major crisis mainly caused upon the invention of the films having sound. About 6 decades after the Mayor started inviting people to come live in Manhattan, one of the first theatres on 42nd street

become the Broadway musical that we know today. In 1930, dialogue and music was added to the silent film and later in 1945, it was rewritten and produced in technicolor (The Phantom of the Opera Website). In 1984, Andrew Lloyd Webber came across a review of a stage adaption of the book that was being produced in Stratford and he contacted Cameron Mackintosh about turning it into a musical. Just a year later, a draft of the first act of the

The musical Showboat acted as hammer in 1927 because of its ability to revolutionize musical theatre by presenting topics such as racism, interracial romance, and marital heartbreak as well as changing the course of musical theatre. The topic of interracial marriage was a topic hit early on in the musical. The star actress on the show boat named Julie La Verne was discovered to be passing as a white woman even though she actually an African American parent. When this issue was brought up to the

of December 27, 1927 the musical Show Boat opens (Laufe 475). The show ends in silence; no applause or a standing ovation. There was not even a curtain call. (Sheed 120) Producer Florenz Ziegfeld thought that the show had failed. (Sheed 120) What he did not know that night was that Show Boat was to go on to be one of the most influential shows in American musical theatre. Show Boat revolutionized American musical theatre by changing the setting of the average musical theatre work to America to make

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. Before they became the Rodgers and Hammerstein, they were Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, both of New York City. Oscar Hammerstein II was born on July 12,

in London, England. He was the first of two sons of William Lloyd Webber, who was an organist and composer. His mother, Jean Johnstone, was a pianist and violinist. Andrew Lloyd Webber learned to play many musical instruments at home and began composing extremely early. He continued his musical studies at Westminster School, where his father was an organist. At the age of 9, Andrew was able to play the organ and helped his father during performances. In 1964 he went to Oxford University as a Queens

Kihm 10/16/17 MUTH 130 Professor Kolb What is Musical Theater? It is not Shakespeare, nor is it Opera. It has been called Minstrel Show, Burlesque, Vaudeville, Extravaganza, Operetta, Musical Comedy, Musical Revue, Musical Theatre and it has been described in a variety of terms including “Low Brow” and “Middle Brow” but never “High Brow.” It had also been praised and condemned for its broad cultural connections and appeal. Although Musical Theatre is not a Shakespearean or Operatic subcategory.

concerned with a famous new Broadway musical. The full title for the musical is The Book of Mormon. The musical is primarily responsible for satirizing organized religion and commenting on the credibility of the Latter Day Saints Church as depicted in the real Book of Mormon and Mormon religion. The Book of Mormon is conceived and was created by the creators of the famous and controversial animated television show, South Park. The book, lyrics and music for the musical were written by Trey Parker, Robert

as a Musical which tells a story through music and dance-not only music. It has massively influenced Musicals and film to the extent in which this was almost seen as the new standard. It also went on to inspire a whole generation. Allowing people of that time and of modern time; to think and to challenge injustices. Bernstein highlighted the faults but also showed the stories of both sides to bring understanding and not judgement (He brought reality to Musicals). This bold take on a Musical was received