Development of the Musical MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY Primitive

Development of the Musical MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY

Primitive Man -Medieval Europe Caveman - explained customs through music, song, dance, and acting 5 th Century B. C. - sang (chanted) lines, chorus moved rhythmically to music Rome - pantomimes used a dancer to relate story through movement as chorus sang narration Medieval Europe - wandering performers provided entertainment for castles (nobles) and town festivals (everyone else)

Renaissance - 18 th Century Italian Commedia dell’arte used singing and dancing Intermezzo (between acts) used songs, dancers, music, scenery 1 st opera: Dafne 1597 (chanted lines to music) English Used masques, intermezzos and background musicians for entertainment as well as pantomime (the English version of commedia dell’arte) Burlesques which featured scantily dressed women Ballad Operas which featured plots, dialogues songs with new lyrics to old melodies Comic Opera which featured original music

19 th Century - USA Comic Operas and Pantomimes performed Minstrel shows - played banjos, tambourines, sang, danced, and made jokes in Blackface. Music Halls and Vaudevilles - unrelated acts, magic, jugglers, acrobats, sketches, animals, singers, and dancers.

1 st Musical The Black Crook - Sept 12, 1866 in New York Ran 474 performances 5 1/2 hours long Mixture of drama, spectacle, scenery, transformations with ballet and scantily clad dancers Lots of scenic special effects

The Black Crook Synopsis Evil, wealthy Count Wolfenstein seeks to marry the lovely village girl, Amina. With the help of Amina's scheming foster mother Barbara, the Count arranges for Amina's fiancé, Rodolphe, an impoverished artist, to fall into the hands of Hertzog, an ancient, crook-backed master of black magic (the Black Crook). Hertzog has made a pact with the Devil (Zamiel, "The Arch Fiend"): he can live forever if he provides Zamiel with a fresh soul every New Year's Eve. As innocent Rodolphe is led to this horrible fate, he discovers a buried treasure and saves the life of a dove. The dove magically transforms into human form as Stalacta, Fairy Queen of the Golden Realm. She rewards Rodolphe for rescuing her by bringing him to fairyland then reuniting him with his beloved Amina. Her army defeats the Count and his evil forces, demons drag Hertzog into hell, and Amina and Rodolphe live happily ever after.

Early 20 th Century - USA Ziegfield Follies (and other revues) were the main source of entertainment Composers such as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Victor Herbert, Richard Rodgers, and George Gershwin got their start in these venues Foreshadowed our demands for glitz, glamour, and expense in entertainment Preproduction expenses topped $250, 000 with $123, 000 going to costumes alone (the average American earned $19. 20 per week in 1920)

1920 s By the time the “Roaring 20 s” came around… ○ Melodramas took rise ○ Realism and naturalism were introduced ○ Lots of pressure on technical theatre to accommodate both styles of theatre ○ In reaction to these styles, anti-realistic and anti-traditional modes of theatre began to arise

1920 s (continued) “New age of American Musical” Showboat in 1927 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II ○ Events span 40 years ○ Serious theme with musical #s and plot ○ Represented the departure from standard musicals by introducing new elements including spectacle, details, realism, in depth characters ○ Influenced by Opera, Blues, and current dances (Charleston) ○ Grossed $50, 000/wk for 2+ year run ○ Revived in 1966 where it grossed $100, 000/wk

Showboat Synopsis When it comes to music on the Mississippi river, the Cotton Blossom show boat is the place to go. When musical main attraction Julie Laverne and her husband are suddenly forced to leave the show, Cotton Blossom owner Andy Hawks’ own daughter, Magnolia, takes center stage. She soon falls madly in love with roguish gambler Gaylord Ravenal, and the two leave the Cotton Blossom on a honeymoon, only to enter into a tumultuous marriage.

Ol’ Man River https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=yy. Jt GNk 9 i. EU No matter what we do, or what happens to us; the river keeps flowing.

1930 s The public became more aware that quality theatre was more important than it being cheap, thoughtless entertainment. By the time the Great Depression too hold of NY, theatre in general began to suffer. More than 1/3 of the 68 commercial theatres in the Broadway district closed by the end of the 30 s. The only other time in American history this many theatre companies closed at one time was right after 9/11.

1930 s Technically: Spectacle and razzle-dazzle OR Realistic details 1 st Pulitzer Prize for Best Play of the Year Of Thee I Sing 1931 George and Ira Gershwin, Geory Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind Raised the status of what musicals should be

1930 s 1 st Innovative Operatic Musical Porgy and Bess 1935 By Gershwins and Heyward Other 30 s Hits The Bandwagon 1931 Anything Goes 1934 Dead End 1935 The Boys from Syracuse 1938 Du. Barry Was A Lady 1939

Recent revivals https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Q 8 E vk. VVpg 0 A https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j 3 b 5 XRd 15 KM Porgy and Bess revived twice, 2012 earned 10 nominations and 2 wins. Anything Goes revived twice, won Best Revival both times.

1940 s As the Depression ended, so did the falling economy. WWII left an impression on Broadway - one of pride and nationalism. This was reflected in Theatre of this decade 1 st Book Musical - Oklahoma! 1943 Rogers and Hammerstein - 2 year run ○ Reflected foundations previously set by Show Boat ○ New Element - Opening Number ○ Emphasis on character and book rather than spectacle. ○ Plot progressed through songs closely integrated w/book. ○ Full Orchestra, large cast of singers, dancers, and actors.

Opening number https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=KNEUt. N 21 cu. U

My Favorite Opening Number https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=7 Gjc Cfl. Pxeg

1940 s Other 40 hits Carousel - 1945 Annie Get Your Gun - 1946 Kiss Me, Kate - 1948 South Pacific - 1949 Brigadoon - 1947 State Fair - 1945

1950 s War was over - economy healthy Average ticket price for a show - $6. 00 -$8. 00 (Average ticket price today is $100 for standard seat) Musicals during this decade were a strong mix of script and music Movie versions of live musicals start to happen Focus - less on spectacle and more on Dance West Side Story - 1957 ○ Specific dancing as a means to advance the plot and reveal characters (Jerome Robbins) ○ Based on Romeo and Juliet

Cool- West Side Story https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=wug WGh. Ita. QA

1950 s Other 50 s Hits Guys and Dolls - 1950 The King and I - 1951 My Fair Lady - 1956 Gypsy - 1959 The Sound of Music - 1959

1960 s Broadway money-making machine Went from Artistic to business-driven The Rock Musical is born 1 st Rock Musical - Hair 1968 ○ Minimal plot - sharp political commentary (anti. Vietnam war) ○ Simple scenery and props ○ Actors change costumes and roles in front of audience ○ Informal and spontaneous ○ Full frontal nudity ○ Amplified sound

1960 s Hits of the 60 s Bye Birdie - 1960 Camelot - 1960 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Hello Dolly - 1964 Funny Girl - 1964 Fiddler on the Roof - 1964 Man of La. Mancha - 1965 Mame - 1966

Telephone Hour- Bye, Birdie https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=v. He psd 7 -l-I

1970 s Undertones of the 60 s carried over to the 70 s Pushing the limit technically Large-scale musicals and spectacle sets Emphasis on concept - idea or theme not“boy gets girl” plots. Not melodic/singable tunes Episodes = illustrate concept Songs reveal character’s feelings, comment on action and are tailored for the situation Workshop method Writers and Composers write with performers Potential backers go to the workshops

1970 s Cabaret - 1972 - Bob Fosse choreographer Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince take control Company - 1970 A Little Night Music - 1973 Sweeney Todd - 1979 Sunday in the Park With George - 1984 Into the Woods - 1987

Fosse style dancing. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=mcr. Z IK 3 gqb. U

1970 s Other 70 Hits Jesus Christ Super Star - 1971 Godspell - 1971 Grease - 1972 Pippin - 1972 The Rocky Horror Show - 1974 A Chorus Line - 1975 Chicago - 1975 Annie - 1977 Evita - 1978

Pippin Still using Fosse style dance. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=k. I 7 S Znw. RCJI

1980 s Lots of musicals being imported from England Costs continue to rise, making it more difficult to recover investments. Decline was so sharp in 1987 -88 only 31 new productions were mounted (compare to the 34 new musicals and 57 plays that opened in 2009)

1980 s Hits Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - 1982 Cats - 1982 (grossed over $915 million by April 1991) Phantom of the Opera 1988 ($8 million initial investment - grossed $413 million by 1991)

1980 s Other 80 Hits Les Miserables - 1980 Little Shop of Horrors - 1982 Sunday in the Park - 1984 Big River - 1985 Into the Woods - 1987 Fame - 1988 Miss Saigon - 1989

I’d Give My Life for You. Miss Saigon https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=cw. B 3 Zxh 2 g. SE

1990 s Lots of Technical Overkill The Corporate Musical is created Hits of the 90 s City of Angles - 1990 Jekyll & Hyde - 1990 Kiss of the Spider Woman - 1993 The Lion King - 1997 Rent - 1996 Titantic - 1997 Ragtime - 1998

The Lion King https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=pg. Ztz. Dj_7 o

2000 s Musicals run the gamete between technical overkill and very simple. Movies are becoming sources “Jukebox” Musicals arrive. A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a connection with a particular popular musician or group — because they were either written by, or for, the artists in question, or at least covered by them. “Disneyfication of Broadway”

Jukebox Musical Examples All Shook Up Jersey Boys Rock of Ages American Idiot Beautiful- The Carole King Musical On Your Feet

American Idiot https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=5 w. Y bo. PRGx 3 U

2000 s Hits from this era include: Aida - 2000 The Full Monty - 2000 The Producers - 2001 Urinetown - 2001 Mama Mia - 2001 Hairspray - 2002 Thoroughly Modern Millie - 2002 Wicked - 2003 Avenue Q - 2003 25 th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee - 2004 Mary Poppins - 2004

2000 s Continued Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - 2004 Billy Elliot - 2005 Spamalot - 2005 Jersey Boys - 2005 The Drowsy Chaperone -2006 Spring Awakening - 2006 The Wedding Singer - 2006 Legally Blonde - 2007 Next to Normal - 2008

10’s on Broadway The teens of 2000 had their up’s and downs on Broadway. Tickets became too expensive. People would rather go to movies or watch television. Many shows opened, and didn’t last very long.

2015/2016 and Hamilton An unreal amount of shows open on Broadway. Making Live Theatre important again. Hamilton is nominated for a record breaking 16 Tony Awards, and wins 11. Ticket prices $849. Sold out. Saves Alexander Hamilton in currency change.

Wait For It- Hamilton https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Re. T P 6 x_s. Di. M

This upcoming season… Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Spongebob Squarepants the Musical Miss Saigon- Transfer from West End Dear Evan Hansen Singin’ In the Rain- Revival AND…. .

Most Importantly Hello, Dolly!- Starring Bette Midler Anastasia- Starring Derek Klena

More from Derek Klena https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=n 3 mi c. DQRmco

Tony Award The award was founded in 1947 by a committee of the American Theatre Wing, headed by Brock Pemberton. The award is named after Antoinette Perry, nicknamed Tony. She was an actress, director, producer, and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. She died in 1946.

Tony Awards cont. First ceremony, 1947. Lots of rules that categorize “Broadway Play. ” Such as seat numbers, production opening, new vs. revival, etc. Usually at Radio City Music Hall or Beacon Theatre.

Categories Performance categories Best Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Categories Show and technical categories Best Musical Best Revival of a Musical Best Direction of a Musical Best Book of a Musical Best Original Score Best Orchestrations Best Choreography Best Scenic Design in a Musical Best Costume Design in a Musical Best Lighting Design in a Musical Best Play Best Revival of a Play Best Direction of a Play Best Scenic Design in a Play Best Costume Design in a Play Best Lighting Design in a Play

Fun Facts Play productions with the most Tony nominations: Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia (2007) and August Wilson's Fences (2010 revival) - 10 Play production that has won the most Tony Awards: Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia (2007) - 7 Musical productions with the most Tony nominations: Hamilton (2016) - 16 Musical production that has won the most Tonys: The Producers, the new Mel Brooks musical (2001) - 12 Musical revival with most Tony Awards: South Pacific (2008) - 7 Musical revival with most Tony nominations: Kiss Me, Kate (2000) - 12 Performer with most Tony nominations: Chita Rivera - 10

Fun Facts Performers with the most Tony Awards: Audra Mc. Donald – 6; Julie Harris – 6 including one Special Tony Award Individual who has received most Tony Awards: Harold Prince - 21 Composer with most Tony Awards: Stephen Sondheim - 8 Choreographer with most Tony Awards: Bob Fosse - 8 (plus one for direction) Host of most Tony Awards telecasts: Angela Lansbury - 5 Longest-running Best Musical: The Phantom of the Opera (1988 - ) Theatre that housed the most Tony-winning Best Plays and Best Musicals: Richard Rodgers Theatre - 11 Number of ties in Tony history: 10

Best performance EVER. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=0 ww z. Xdw. M 1 C 0