American TheatER: A BASIC HISTORY Mr. Walker, Grade 7 Enrichment

Welcome to Athens, Greece * The Greek Chorus * Religious in nature * Part of being a citizen

The Romans: Why does it have to be religious? Just Have Fun! The Romans liked the ideas of Greek theater, but did not feel that it had to be for purely religious purposes. The Romans: Why does it have to be religious? Just Have Fun!

Medieval Theater * If it isn't about God, it must be from the Devil * Greek and Roman papers are burned * Theater teaches Christian stories only * Only the evil characters sing

Comedia d'elle arte Minstrels These are festival of the fools times... Hilarious, silly, musical, physical Meant to give the poor some enjoyment

England's economy radically improves Art, music, and literature have all been highly valued in Italy, France, and Spain. England is catching up under the reign of Queen Elizabeth William Shakespeare begins his theater company and performs at the Globe Theater. Very little scenery Comedies, tragedies, and histories The English language grows in vocabulary, popularity, and beauty Shakespeare and the theater Renaissance: This is considered "Golden Age" of Theater

OPERA 1700's & 1800's Now, it is ALL music... as far away from "medieval" theater as possible Over the top acting (melodrama) Italy and France It is not about understanding the words. It is about the emotion and enjoying the music.

Operettas Gilbert & Sullivan Parody/ Spoof of Opera Poking fun at the opera English language Pirates of Penzance, 1879

Vaudeville 1880's-1930's * Think "traveling circus of various talents" * Pay for a ticket... see hours of strange and comedic acts 

Rodgers & Hammerstein: 34 Tony Awards, 15 Oscars, 1 Pulitzer prize, 2 Grammys GOLDEN AGE OF BROADWAY BEGINS OKLAHOMA, 1943... America Rises in the world of Theater with the creation of the Broadway musical

ARTHUR MILLER The Most Famous American Playwright "Musicals aren't real theater" * Death of a Salesman * The Crucible The common American in dramatic American stories  Make the extraordinary out of the every day 

West Side Story (Sondheim) Porgy and BEss (Gershwin) Broadway opens the door to new sounds and new voices.

The Rock Musicals A new sound (rock) became popular and Broadway decides it is going to use this new music on stage. Theater is creative, edgy, innovative... No topic is off limits and reflects the 60's and 70's, which was a time of change and freedom. Godspell by Stephen Schwartz The Who's Tommy

The British Invasion: EpIC Theater England, in particular, wanted to have their own version of the Broadway musical. London's West End became their Broadway. Andrew Llyod Webber became their Sondheim. These were splashy musicals with huge sets, special effects, epic lighting, and a mix of rock, opera, musical theater, and dance. $5.6 billion worldwide First show to have a 10,000th performance on Broadway

To clean up our act... ...Or show the true grit In the 1990's, there was a huge move to "CLEAN UP" Broadway. Times Square was a hotbed of crime and drug abuse. On the One Hand, Disney Theatrical begins making epic family friendly shows. On the other hand, Shows like rent try to tell the story of the urban poor that is being pushed out... Disney's The Lion King: FIRST SHOW TO MAKE $6 BILLION... RENT IS ONE OF ONLY 8 MUSICALS TO WIN THE PULITZER PRIZE

Theater MEANT TO SHOW MINORITIES & STRUGGLES While musicals make the money... … and get the huge crowds... … and have enormous budgets... PLAYS BECOME THE VOICE OF EXPRESSION FOR EVERY GROUP AND SEGMENT OF SOCIETY Theater MEANT TO SHOW MINORITIES & STRUGGLES

Today... * Movies & Books as Plays and Musicals Harry Potter, Matilda, Sponge Bob? * The Anti-Epic "Once" * New Types of Music (Hip Hop) Hamilton & Lin Manuel-Miranda