Explore Theatre A Backstage Pass Michael M OHara

Explore Theatre: A Backstage Pass Michael M. O’Hara & Judith A. Sebesta Power. Points prepared by the authors This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: • any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; • preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; • any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Chapter 12 Musical Theatre 01 Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Musical Theatre • • • Overview Significance Elements Antecedents/Influences Birth of the Modern Musical

Significance • • • The most popular form of theatre in the United States One of few truly American art forms Arguably the most complex and collaborative form of theatre (but difficult to define) Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Elements of the Musical • Music • • • Lyrics: the pattern of words set to the music that tell a story or convey a theme Libretto/Book: the outline of dramatic development that includes the dialogue and actions that occur between songs Dance (e. g. tap, jazz, ballet) Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Antecedents • • Operetta/Comic Opera e. g. Gilbert (lyrics) and Sullivan (music) (HMS Pinafore

Antecedents • Gilbert and Sullivan: • • • farcical, contrived plots inoffensive humor witty, satirical lyrics singable, light melodies parodied contemporary British Victorian life Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Antecedents • Minstrelsy • • • Origins: *evidence pre-1776 of whites imitating black dances *began as a conscious form by T. D. Rice in 1820 s Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Antecedents • • • Minstrelsy Eventually performed by black performers too (after emancipation) “Golden” Era of blackface minstrelsy: • • 1840 s-70 s Ex. : Bamboozled Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Antecedents • Vaudeville: variety entertainment w/songs, skits, dances, animal acts, juggling, etc. 1880 s-1930

Clicker Question • The first all-black musical to play a major Broadway theatre was: • • A. The Black Crook B. In Dahomey C. Showboat D. The Wiz Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

• • • Birth of the Modern Musical Black Musicals A Trip to Coontown (1898) -- first musical written, directed, and performed by blacks In Dahomey (1903) -- first all-black show to play a major Broadway theatre (all white audience) Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Birth of the Modern Musical • Influences of African Americans on Musical Theatre: • • • Music (blues, jazz, rock) Dance (tap, jazz) Ex. : Savion Glover and Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

Birth of the Modern Musical • Showboat -- music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, produced by Flo Ziegfeld, opened Dec. 27, 1927 Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved

• • • Birth of the Modern Musical Showboat (1927) more “realistic, ” serious plot racially integrated cast epic story musical no longer sheer entertainment Copyright © 2012 Ball State University, All Rights Reserved