american musical theater

what are the precursors of musical theater?

• the greeks

• early musical theater: pure showbiz

  • orchestra, musical was portion of the show

what were the precursors for 19th century musical theater?

• opera as popular entertainment

  • simultaneously popular & elite (association with european culture)

  • flexible repertoire

  • tours by european stars (starts with jenny lind)

• p.t. barnum & jenny lind

• audiences have choice on how to react, knowledgeable

what is viennese operatta>

light operas, shorter & lighter material

• idealized love, nostalgic

what are the characteristics of musical comedy

• presentational

• contemporary settings & music

• light subject matter

• plot over character

• comedic leads

• star driven

who sang yankee doodle boy

george m. cohan

why are people dancing in yankee doodle boy?

moves with him, amplofying main man (focus more intention on him)

what pronouns are used in yankee doodle boy?

extras say he is a yankee doodle dandy, he says “'i’m a yankee doodle dandy”

• puts focus on himself, extras put focus on him

• reinforcing idea that musical is about him & audience makes sure who he is

what are the characteristics of musical play?

• representational

• exotic settings/evocative music

• serious subject matter

• character over plot

• romantic lead characters

• book driven (adaptations)

who is involved in kansas city from oklahoma!

jerome kern / oscar hemmerstein II

why are the people dancing in kansas city from oklahoma!

talking about kansas city & showing extras the dances. dancing has purpose, demonstrates modern world entering small town in olkahoma

what are the characteristics of concept musical?

• stylized theatricality

• varied settings/pastiche music

• metaphoric subject matter

• idea over plot (non-linear)

• ensemble

• director driven

what are the characteristics for mega-musicals?

• exotic settings/evocative sung-through music

• varied subject matter (romantic)

• spectacle over plot

• romantic lead characters

• design driven