Musical Theatre Evolution and Influences Study Notes

Ancient Greek Theatre

  • Influence for all western theatre
  • Initially consisted of a chorus or approximately 30 men
    • Presented choral songs which commented on the action, representing the voice of the people
    • Involved choral dances
  • Thespis: Recognized as the first actor, stepping away from the chorus to perform individually
  • Spectacle Elements:
    • Included masks and machina (machines for effects)
    • Aimed to appeal to the masses

Opera (16th and 17th centuries)

  • Dramatic works that are entirely sung
    • Featured tragic tales of nobility
    • Consisted of various formats:
    • Arias: Solo vocal pieces
    • Recitative: Sung speech that drives the action forward
    • Choral passages
  • Performers: Highly trained singers with elaborate sets and costumes
  • Content directed towards stories about the elite, primarily for elite audiences

Ballad Opera

  • A parody of opera containing social satire
    • Used popular music with rewritten lyrics
    • Included spoken dialogue rather than recitative
  • Reception: Disliked by the upper class, banned in England in 1737, but flourished in the US

Operetta

  • Features simple, comic, or romantic plots
    • Requires virtuosity from performers
    • Generally ends happily
    • Stories typically about privileged characters, blending elitist themes with popular entertainment
  • Original scores utilized dialogue instead of recitative
  • Acting style is primarily presentational
  • Notable Collaborators:
    • Sir W.S. Gilbert (lyricist/librettist)
    • Sir Arthur Sullivan (composer)
    • Process: Gilbert writes lyrics first, then Sullivan composes music, followed by Gilbert providing dialogue and other text elements

Musical Theatre Development (1871-1886)

  • Introduction of patter songs:
    • Defined as songs with fast lyrics meant for comedic effect
  • Types of Songs:
    • Reflective song: Characters reflect on feelings
    • Active song: Characters demonstrate change by the end of the song

Melodrama

  • A type of music drama combining spoken text with musical underscoring
    • Occasionally includes songs
  • Characterization: Features stock characters (e.g., villain, hero, damsel in distress, old man) that appear repeatedly
  • Plot Characteristics:
    • Simple morality tales typically featuring poetic justice (good triumphs over evil)
    • Often contrived and simplistic plots
  • Popular entertainment format, known for elaborate stage spectacles (e.g., dramatic sets, stunts)

The Black Crook

  • Recognized by scholars as the first musical
  • Created by Charles M Barras

Minstrelsy

  • Featured white male performers in blackface, exemplified by the Virginia Minstrels in 1843
  • Notable Contributors:
    • Christie Minstrels, known for writing "Camptown Races"
  • Performers: Included Mr. Tams, Mr. Bones, and Mr. Interlocutor
    • Folk music and comedic performances showcasing negative racial stereotypes
  • Dominant form of entertainment in the U.S. from 1850-1870

American Operetta

  • Significant Figures:
    • Victor Herbert (1859)
    • Accomplished conductor, composer, orchestrator
    • Advocated for composers' rights and profit sharing
  • Partnership with Philip Sousa and others to establish the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

American Antecedents - History of Revues

  • Recognized as the official beginning of the revue genre with "The Passing Show" (1894)
  • ‘Golden Age’ of Revues:
    • 1907-1930
    • Post-1930 faced competition from smaller shows and mediums like radio and film
    • 1960-1990: Revue became a term for non-plot oriented shows
    • 1990-present: Open interpretation of modern revues
  • Definition of REVUES:
    • A series of songs and sketches (often with dance) linked by a theme, either created by one artist or multiple contributors

Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

  • Most prominent and successful producer in the early 20th century
  • Background:
    • Grew up in Chicago
    • Notable for showcasing international innovations at the 1893 World’s Fair
  • Key Contributions:
    • Introduced acts like Sandow (muscle display performances) to emphasize commerciality in productions
    • Created the Follies, named after the French Folies Bergère, characterized by grandiose productions and diverse acts
    • Used tableau vivant as a censorship workaround for nudity, presenting actors as famous paintings
  • Legacy: Established standards for female sexuality and performance in the 20th century

The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

  • Depiction of Ziegfeld's impact and legacy
  • Featured Bert Williams, one of the most prominent comedians of the time
    • Background: Initially in minstrelsy and vaudeville, gained notoriety working alongside George Walker

Tin Pan Alley

  • Location: West 28th St. between Broadway and 6th Avenue, a hub for music publishers in 1903
  • Song Plugger:
    • A performer who promoted songs, often through informal performances
  • Vaudeville:
    • A variety show format originating from the saloons in New York's Bowery, appealing particularly to immigrant audiences
    • TONY PASTOR was significant in making it more family friendly in 1865
    • Used inexpensive tickets and provided many acts, pioneering the circuit system for performers

George M. Cohan (1978-1942)

  • Renowned as the father of American musical theatre, promoting patriotic themes in his work
  • Notable Performances:
    • Involved in writing, producing, and performing his works
    • First hit musical: "Little Johnny Jones" (1904), featuring heavy pro-American references
  • Key songs:
    • “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
    • “Give My Regards to Broadway”

Actors Equity Association (AEA)

  • Established in 1913 due to low pay and lack of protection for performers
  • In 1916, became aligned with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) to advocate for performers' rights

George and Ira Gershwin

  • Noteworthy siblings in American music:
    • George: Dropped out of school at 15; renowned for his vibrant personality and broad musical influences, including classical music and jazz
    • Ira: The quieter, bookish counterpart, known for his lyrical prowess
    • Collaborative works include notable productions like "Lady Be Good" and "Porgy and Bess"

The Importance of "Porgy and Bess"

  • Adaptation based on the novel "Porgy" by DuBose Heyward
  • Features an all-African American cast, highlighting the cultural landscape of the time
  • Mixed reviews but significant for its integral place in musical theatre history

Princess Musicals

  • Respected works initiated by Jerome Kern focused on smaller, more intimate productions
    • Noteworthy for integrated music and narrative, shaping modern musicals

Showboat (1927)

  • Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions to musical theatre and racial integration on stage
    • Songs like “Ol Man River” resonate deeply with thematic elements of the narrative

Rodgers and Hart

  • Most famous duo, reflecting a complex and problematic relationship leading to successful musicals
  • Stresses integration of story and song, with a focus on both individual songs and overall production quality

Rodgers and Hammerstein

  • Groundbreaking partnership with a focus on integrated scores and thematically rich narrative-driven musicals
  • Notable Works:
    • "Oklahoma!" becoming the first Broadway musical with an integrated plot, song, and dance
  • Subsequent successful shows following a similar model

Cole Porter

  • Known for clever lyrics and inventive melodies, often night-life influenced
  • Examples include the musical “Anything Goes”

Irving Berlin

  • A prolific American composer with roots in Russian Jewish immigrant culture
  • Notable works that include "God Bless America" and "White Christmas"

Frank Loesser

  • Self-taught musician who broke from his family's classical expectations to establish his career in musical theatre
    • Acclaimed works like “Guys and Dolls” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” featuring sharp satirical elements

Lerner and Loewe

  • Focused on character-driven narratives and integration within their musicals; notable works include “My Fair Lady” and “Camelot”

George Abbott

  • Respected figure known for his contributions across multiple aspects of theatre including direction, production, and playwriting with a significant impact on the structure of musicals

Leonard Bernstein

  • Challenged musical traditionalism through innovative compositions, blending classical and popular music in works such as “West Side Story”

Jerome Robbins

  • A pioneering choreographer/director, transforming the role of dance in musical storytelling

Conclusion and Test Review

  • Key concepts including the golden triangle of lyrics, music/dialogue, and choreography
  • Definitions and examples from discussed musicals are encapsulated in a review section, emphasizing significant contributions and notable figures in the evolution of American musical theatre.