Musical Theater Performance Unit 5 Review: History & Repertoire

Origins of Musical Theater

• Emerged from various forms of entertainment in the 19th century including vaudeville, burlesque, and operetta
• Vaudeville featured a variety of acts such as singers, dancers, comedians, and acrobats performed in a single show
• Burlesque incorporated satirical skits, risqué humor, and elaborate costumes often parodying well-known plays or operas
• Operetta, a light form of opera, featured spoken dialogue interspersed with songs and dance numbers (The Merry Widow)
• Early musical theater productions combined elements of these forms to create a new genre of storytelling through music and dance
• The Black Crook (1866) often considered the first musical comedy with a cohesive plot and original score
• British musical theater (Gilbert and Sullivan) influenced the development of American musical theater in the late 19th century

Key Figures and Innovators

• George M. Cohan pioneered the "book musical" integrating songs and dances into a coherent narrative (Little Johnny Jones)
• Florenz Ziegfeld created lavish revues featuring elaborate sets, costumes, and chorus lines (Ziegfeld Follies)
• Jerome Kern composed sophisticated scores that advanced the storytelling and character development (Show Boat)
  • Collaborated with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II on several groundbreaking shows
• George Gershwin blended classical music, jazz, and popular song forms to create a distinctly American sound (Porgy and Bess)
• Cole Porter known for his witty lyrics and memorable melodies (Anything Goes)
• Rodgers and Hammerstein revolutionized musical theater with fully integrated shows where songs advanced the plot and characters (Oklahoma!)
• Agnes de Mille's dream ballet in Oklahoma! demonstrated how dance could be used to explore characters' inner thoughts and emotions

Notable Early Shows and Productions

• The Black Crook (1866) considered the first musical comedy with a cohesive plot and original score
• Showboat (1927) addressed serious themes and featured a diverse cast
  • Considered a landmark in the development of the book musical
• Porgy and Bess (1935) an opera by George Gershwin with an all-African American cast
• The Cradle Will Rock (1937) a political satire by Marc Blitzstein that faced censorship due to its pro-union themes
• Pal Joey (1940) pushed boundaries with its anti-hero protagonist and exploration of adult themes
• Oklahoma! (1943) fully integrated music, dance, and story to create a cohesive narrative
  • Pioneered the use of dance to advance the plot and characters' emotional journeys
• Carousel (1945) another Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration that dealt with serious themes (domestic abuse)

Musical Styles and Influences

• Tin Pan Alley popular songs of the early 20th century heavily influenced early musical theater composers
• Jazz and blues music incorporated into scores to create a distinctly American sound (Showboat, Porgy and Bess)
• Operetta style characterized by romantic plots, lush orchestrations, and sweeping melodies (The Merry Widow, The Student Prince)
• Vaudeville and music hall traditions influenced the structure and pacing of early musicals with their variety format
• Classical music techniques (leitmotifs, overtures) adapted for the musical theater stage to create cohesive scores
• Folk and country music elements used to evoke specific settings and characters (Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun)
• Latin and Caribbean rhythms added to scores for exotic flair or to represent diverse characters (The Cuban in Wonderful Town)

Technological Advancements

• Electric lighting allowed for more elaborate stage effects and set designs
  • Spotlights used to highlight performers and create dramatic moments
• Microphones and sound amplification improved audibility for larger audiences
  • Enabled singers to use a more conversational singing style
• Hydraulic lifts and revolving stages made set changes quicker and more seamless
• Improved transportation (trains, automobiles) made touring productions more feasible
  • Brought musical theater to a wider audience beyond major cities
• Radio broadcasts and recordings helped popularize musical theater songs
  • Created a demand for sheet music and cast albums
• Motion pictures adapted popular stage musicals for the screen (42nd Street, Top Hat)
  • Introduced musical theater to an even broader audience

Cultural Impact and Audience Reception

• Musicals provided escapism and entertainment during times of economic hardship (Great Depression, World War II)
• Reflected and shaped cultural attitudes towards race, gender, and social issues
  • Showboat addressed miscegenation and racial inequality
  • Oklahoma! promoted American values and optimism during wartime
• Created a shared cultural experience through popular songs and memorable performances
• Established Broadway as a center for musical theater production and innovation
• Attracted diverse audiences including tourists, locals, and celebrities
• Inspired a culture of musical theater fandom with audiences attending multiple performances and collecting memorabilia
• Faced censorship and controversy for addressing taboo subjects or challenging social norms (The Cradle Will Rock, Pal Joey)

Performance Techniques and Traditions

• "Triple threat" performers expected to excel at singing, dancing, and acting
• Belting technique developed for female singers to project over large orchestras
• Tap dancing incorporated into choreography to add rhythmic excitement (42nd Street)
• Chorus lines used to create visual spectacle and unity on stage (Ziegfeld Follies)
• Overtures used to establish the musical themes and motifs of the show
• Reprise songs used to show character development or reinforce the central message
• Curtain calls and encores used to celebrate the performers and extend the audience experience
• Stanislavski's acting techniques adapted for musical theater to create more naturalistic performances
  • "Method acting" used by some musical theater performers (Ethel Merman)

Legacy and Influence on Modern Musical Theater

• Established the "book musical" as the dominant form of musical theater
  • Integrated songs, dance, and story to create a cohesive narrative
• Pioneered the use of dance as a storytelling tool and emotional expression
• Created a canon of classic musicals that continue to be revived and adapted (Showboat, Oklahoma!, Porgy and Bess)
• Influenced the development of the "concept musical" in the 1970s and 80s (Company, A Chorus Line)
• Paved the way for the "mega-musical" spectacles of the 1980s and 90s (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera)
• Inspired new generations of musical theater creators to push boundaries and explore new forms
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) cites classic musicals as a major influence on his work
• Contributed to the globalization of musical theater with productions staged around the world
• Preserved and celebrated through revivals, recordings, and educational programs