Theater and Musical History Review

These flashcards cover key concepts, facts, and historical aspects of theatre and musical history as presented in the lecture notes.

What is a Dansical?

A theatrical genre that combines dance and musical elements.

How did 9/11 affect the theatre scene?

It led to a shift in themes and greater audience awareness of serious topics.

What are the two types of Jukebox musicals?

Biographical jukebox musicals and non-biographical jukebox musicals.

Name several Jukebox musicals.

Some examples include Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, and Ain't Too Proud.

Who conceived, directed, and choreographed Come Fly Away, These Times They Are a Changin', and Movin' Out?

They were conceived, directed, and choreographed by Twyla Tharp.

What are the two Fosse Dansicals?

Pippin and Chicago.

Who are the two major figures in musical theatre who have written and starred in their own shows?

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and Richard O’ Brian (rocky horror show)

Who has facilitated the workshop process in NYC for shows like A Chorus Line and Hamilton?

Michael Bennett.

Who is Bob Fosse’s wife?

Gwen Verdon

What show did Gwen Verdon Star in?

Sweet Charity (Charity), Damn Yankees (Lola)

Whose statue stands in Times Square NY?

The statue of George M. Cohan stands in Times Square.

Who directed The Lion King and created the puppets?

Julie Taymor directed The Lion King and designed the puppets.

Why are revivals popular in Broadway seasons?

They attract audiences with nostalgia and showcase classic works.

Name some sole producers in Broadway history.

Examples include David Merrick and Cameron Mackintosh.

When did the trend to groups of producers start?

The trend began in the late 20th century, driven by the high costs of production.

What event in the 80's and 90's devastated the theatre community?

The AIDS epidemic had a severe impact on the theatre community.

Why did Broadway struggle in the 1930s?

The Great Depression caused a decline in attendance and funding.

Was Showboat a story driven musical?

Yes, Showboat was considered a story-driven musical.

Who wrote Showboat?

It was written by Edna Ferber.

Who produced Showboat?

Showboat was produced by Florenz Ziegfeld.

What made Showboat unique?

It was one of the first musicals to address serious themes, such as race.

What was the first musical in the 19th century considered by some?

The Black Crook, considered the first musical, showcased an Italian Ballet troupe.

How has Burlesque changed since its origins?

Burlesque evolved from theatrical parody into a form of adult entertainment focusing on humor and performance.

How did immigrants shape American musical theater?

Immigrants brought diverse cultural influences that enriched the themes, music, and styles in American musicals.

What makes Golden Age musicals unique?

Golden Age musicals typically featured strong storytelling and memorable melodies.

How did cultural melding develop various styles of dance and movement?

Different cultural influences were combined, leading to innovative choreography and performance styles.

What are some examples of vaudeville acts?

Examples include comedy skits, musical performances, and magic shows.

Who were some influential performers in the late 1800s?

Performers like Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, and Fanny Brice were influential during this time.

Who are some important lyricist/composer teams?

Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, and Sondheim and Prince are notable teams.

What made people prefer concept musicals over story-driven shows?

Concept musicals offered innovative narratives and thematic depth that appealed to changing audience tastes.

What events in American history have impacted musical theater?

Events like the Civil Rights Movement and wars have influenced themes in musicals.

What makes theater resilient?

Theater is resilient due to its ability to adapt to social changes and audience preferences.

Match Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II to their show.

Oklahoma!, Carousel, The Sound of Music.

Which musical introduced microphones and sound mixing to Broadway?

Promises, Promises introduced these technologies.

True or False: There was a distinct difference between straight plays and musical plays in Ancient Greek Theatre.

False.

Which show started Broadway's Golden Age?

Showboat is heralded as the start of Broadway's Golden Age.

What era of theater does Hadestown echo?

Hadestown echoes the themes and style of the 1930s.

What musical did Michael Bennett direct with rolling set pieces?

A Chorus Line featured rolling set pieces.

What was Michael Bennett's most popular musical?

A Chorus Line is considered his most popular musical.

What makes a concept musical? Name 3 examples.

A concept musical focuses on themes or ideas rather than a linear plot; examples include Company, Sweeney Todd, and Into the Woods.

Why do we see revivals on Broadway?

Revival brings back classic shows, appealing to both nostalgia and new audiences.

Name one major playwright from the Elizabethan Period.

William Shakespeare was a major playwright during the Elizabethan Period.

What made 'The Beggar's Opera' stand out?

It combined popular music with satire, making it unique compared to other productions.

What was Polite Vaudeville and who was its father?

Polite Vaudeville was a refined form of vaudeville, with Tony Pastor often referred to as its father.

What was Burlesque originally?

Burlesque was originally a theatrical form that featured parody and satire.

What are the works of Stephen Sondheim?

Stephen Sondheim created musicals like Company, Sweeney Todd, and Into the Woods.

True or False: Minstrel shows were only performed by black men with black face makeup.

False.