Broadway Musicals Notes

AABA Song Structure

A song structure consisting of two similar A sections, a contrasting B section (bridge), then a return to A. Common in early musical theatre and jazz standards.

Verse/Chorus Song Structure

A song structure that alternates between verses with new lyrics and a repeated chorus, popular in pop and rock musicals.

Strophic Song Structure

A song structure where the same melody is repeated with different lyrics each time, used in traditional ballads and early musical theatre songs.

Current Broadway Shows

Notable shows currently running include Hamilton, Wicked, Hadestown, and Moulin Rouge!.

Jerome Kern

Pioneered the integration of song and story in musicals, best known for composing Show Boat.

George M. Cohan

Known as 'the father of American musical comedy,' wrote patriotic songs like Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Florenz Ziegfeld

Produced the lavish Ziegfeld Follies, elevating theatrical spectacle on Broadway.

Bert Williams

First major Black star on Broadway, known for comedic skill and breaking racial barriers.

Sophie Tucker

Vaudeville star known as 'The Last of the Red Hot Mamas,' pioneered bold female performances.

Irving Berlin

One of the most prolific American songwriters, known for White Christmas and God Bless America.

Rodgers and Hammerstein

Revolutionized musicals with integrated storytelling, creating works like Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music.

Shuffle Along

A landmark 1921 musical that brought jazz to Broadway and paved the way for Black-led productions.

Show Boat

A groundbreaking musical that addressed racism and serious themes while blending operetta with modern musical theatre.

Oklahoma!

The first fully integrated musical, opening Broadway's Golden Age in 1943.

Cabaret

A musical that serves as a metaphor for rising fascism, characterized by its cynical tone and bold themes.

Sweeney Todd

A dark musical by Stephen Sondheim about a vengeful barber in Victorian London.

Fiddler on the Roof

A musical focused on a Jewish family's struggle with tradition, featuring songs like 'Tradition' and 'Sunrise, Sunset'.

West Side Story

An urban retelling of Romeo & Juliet, known for its dynamic dance and powerful Bernstein/Sondheim score.

A Chorus Line

A minimalist musical showcasing real-life stories of Broadway dancers auditioning.

Hamilton

A revolutionary hip-hop musical chronicling the life of Alexander Hamilton, praised for its diverse casting and innovative storytelling.

Hadestown

A retelling of the Orpheus myth set in a folk-jazz style, won Best Musical at the 2019 Tony Awards.

In the Heights

A vibrant celebration of community and culture in Washington Heights, blending music styles and storytelling.

American Idiot

A punk-rock musical inspired by the music of Green Day, exploring themes of disillusionment and adolescence.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

The creator of In the Heights and Hamilton, known for his innovative approach to musical theatre.

Jesus Christ Superstar

A rock opera that tells the Passion of Christ from the perspective of Judas.

Little Shop of Horrors

A horror-comedy musical featuring a man-eating plant, known for its catchy Motown and rock-inspired songs.

Les Misérables

An epic musical about redemption during the aftermath of the French Revolution, known for its emotional depth.

Company

A nonlinear musical by Stephen Sondheim that explores themes of love and isolation.

Sweet Charity

Follows a dance hall hostess searching for love, featuring the song 'Big Spender'.