American Music Theatre History Presentation Topics
1. In the Beginning: Ballad Opera, Minstrel Shows, Vaudeville, Burlesque,
Extravaganza, Revue - Mr. Franco
2. Operettas - Ms. Vernon
3. 1930's and 40's Musicals : Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving
Berlin, Rogers and Hart, and Cole Porter - Ally Denton
4. Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals - Desirae Bowles
5. Lerner and Loewe Musicals -Kelsey Wilkinson
6. 1950's and 60's Musicals - Kelly Rhodes
7. 1970's and 80's Musicals - Kelly Hartman
8. 1990's Musicals to Today - Tara Buford
9. Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals - Sarah Armstrong
10. Stephen Sondheim Musicals - Mandi Finck
Objective: Students will be able to trace the development of American Music Theatre.
Students will be able to discuss elements of musical theater through American history
such as characterization, theme, plot, theater style, music, spectacle and
choreography.
Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin, Oscar Hammerstein ...
Jerome Kern
george_rodger_diariesThe greatest revolution in the American musical theatre up to that time came in 1927 with Show Boat, by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern. Here we come to a completely new genre--the musical play as distinguished from musical comedy. Now, at long last, the play was the thing, and everything else was subservient to that play. Now, at last, came complete integration of song, humor and production numbers into a single and inextricable artistic entity. Here, finally, was a musical with a consistent and credible story line, authentic atmosphere and three-dimensional characters.
The musical play made further forward strides with Of Thee I Sing!, the brilliant political satire by George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind and Ira and George Gershwin; with two more musicals by Jerome Kern, Cat and the Fiddle and Music in the Air; with several more musicals by Rodgers and Hart, most notably On Your Toes and Pal Joey; and most of all with...