Musical Theater up to Rent

Themes to follow as musical theater develops: A theater of immigrants – Therefore very often about immigrant issues, or the issues of the poorest people of society A theater of the people from the margins (gay and lesbian people, people from ethnic and cultural minorities). A theater that shares qualities with opera and operettas A theater with a political edge

The Immigrant Experience Irish and Jewish immigrants were primarily responsible for the beginnings of musical theater. Famous names are George M. Cohan (Yankee Doodle Dandy), Edgar Harrigan, Victor Herbert, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Kern, and Oscar Hammerstein. Irish and Jewish immigrants were primarily responsible for the beginnings of musical theater. Famous names are George M. Cohan (Yankee Doodle Dandy), Edgar Harrigan, Victor Herbert, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers, Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Kern, and Oscar Hammerstein.

The Music is Immigrant and African-American music They used music from home (Jewish and western European, plus African-American – jazz, spirituals, and ragtime) They used music from home (Jewish and western European, plus African-American – jazz, spirituals, and ragtime) Singers include immigrants or children of immigrants: Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Mandy Patinkin, and Harvey Fierstein Singers include immigrants or children of immigrants: Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Mandy Patinkin, and Harvey Fierstein

Examples from Musicals “America” (West Side Story) “America” (West Side Story) “America” (West Side Story) “America” (West Side Story) “A Hundred Million Miracles” (Flower Drum Song) “A Hundred Million Miracles” (Flower Drum Song) “A Hundred Million Miracles” (Flower Drum Song) “A Hundred Million Miracles” (Flower Drum Song)

A Theater of People from the Margins, not the Center of power Phantom of the Opera Phantom of the Opera Phantom of the Opera Phantom of the Opera Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Rent Rent Rent Les Miserables Les Miserables Les Miserables Les Miserables La Cage aux Folles La Cage aux Folles La Cage aux Folles La Cage aux Folles Evita Evita Evita Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Ain’t Misbehavin’ Ain’t Misbehavin’ Ain’t Misbehavin’ Ain’t Misbehavin’

A Theater descended from Opera and Operetta La Boheme the opera becomes Rent La Boheme the opera becomes Rent La Boheme the opera La Boheme the opera Madama Butterfly becomes M. Butterfly (a play but not musical theater) Madama Butterfly becomes M. Butterfly (a play but not musical theater) Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly Cendrillon becomes Cinderella Cendrillon becomes Cinderella Carmen becomes Carmen Jones Carmen becomes Carmen Jones

Oscar Hammerstein II as example Oscar Hammerstein II was born into a great theatrical family on July 12, 1895, in New York City. He was named after both famous grandfathers, Horace Greeley (1811–1872; famous antislavery newspaper publisher), and Oscar I, an opera promoter. His father, William, was the manager of Victoria, one of the most famous vaudeville theaters (involving a variety of acts) of its day. His uncle, Arthur, was a well-known producer. "integrated musical," a musical in which the book, lyrics, and score all grow from a central idea and all contribute to the story line. Excerpted from ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD BIOGRAPHY, 2ND ED. 17 VOLS., Gale Research, © 1998 Gale Research. Oscar Hammerstein II was born into a great theatrical family on July 12, 1895, in New York City. He was named after both famous grandfathers, Horace Greeley (1811–1872; famous antislavery newspaper publisher), and Oscar I, an opera promoter. His father, William, was the manager of Victoria, one of the most famous vaudeville theaters (involving a variety of acts) of its day. His uncle, Arthur, was a well-known producer. He developed the "integrated musical," a musical in which the book, lyrics, and score all grow from a central idea and all contribute to the story line. Excerpted from ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD BIOGRAPHY, 2ND ED. 17 VOLS., Gale Research, © 1998 Gale Research.Horace Greeleyantislavery vaudevilleHorace Greeleyantislavery vaudeville He was a crusader for human equality, partly because his grandchildren were mixed Japanese and Caucasian.

House Unamerican Activities He was asked the usual set of questions and his responses were interesting," said his grandson. "When he was asked would you ever work with a Communist, he surprised them by answering, 'Of course I would. If there are going to help me load my gun to shoot Nazis' — which is what the Russians had just done — 'I would be happy to work with them.’ (L.A. Times) He was asked the usual set of questions and his responses were interesting," said his grandson. "When he was asked would you ever work with a Communist, he surprised them by answering, 'Of course I would. If there are going to help me load my gun to shoot Nazis' — which is what the Russians had just done — 'I would be happy to work with them.’ (L.A. Times)

Mentor and Friend. "Oscar wasn't just a surrogate father, Oscar and Dorothy were a surrogate family," said Young, the documentary's director. "Sondheim felt as if they saved him. He was having a bad afternoon [one day]. He was having a terrible scene with his mother and he goes over to Hammerstein's house and they try to comfort him. Then Oscar says, 'Here are my lyrics for one of the songs from "The King and I." Why don't you try to set that to music,' giving the boy something to do. I think that was so wonderful.". "Oscar wasn't just a surrogate father, Oscar and Dorothy were a surrogate family," said Young, the documentary's director. "Sondheim felt as if they saved him. He was having a bad afternoon [one day]. He was having a terrible scene with his mother and he goes over to Hammerstein's house and they try to comfort him. Then Oscar says, 'Here are my lyrics for one of the songs from "The King and I." Why don't you try to set that to music,' giving the boy something to do. I think that was so wonderful."

Theater with a Political Edge Justifying intermarriage or love across ethnic/ cultural lines Justifying intermarriage or love across ethnic/ cultural lines Showboat Showboat South Pacific South Pacific South Pacific South Pacific West Side Story West Side Story West Side Story West Side Story The King and I The King and I Rent Rent Beauty and the Beast? Beauty and the Beast?

La Boheme vs. Rent Act 1 Around 1830, in Paris, France, there are four Bohemians, the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, and the philosopher Colline in an old attic. They are poor, but happy. On the night of Christmas Eve, they all intend to go to a bar, but Rodolfo has not finished writing his poem yet. Rodolfo promises to join them soon, and the others leave. A neighbor, Mimi, knocks on Rodolfo’s door, and she asks him to light her candle for her. But, Rodolfo’s candle goes out, too. At the moment, Mimi accidentally drops her key. When the two search for it in the dark, they touch each other’s hand. They fall in love then. Act 2 At the Cafe Momus, Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his three friends. And, Musetta who is the painter Marcello’s lover arrives. Six members enjoy thier Christmas Eve. Act 1 Around 1830, in Paris, France, there are four Bohemians, the poet Rodolfo, the painter Marcello, the musician Schaunard, and the philosopher Colline in an old attic. They are poor, but happy. On the night of Christmas Eve, they all intend to go to a bar, but Rodolfo has not finished writing his poem yet. Rodolfo promises to join them soon, and the others leave. A neighbor, Mimi, knocks on Rodolfo’s door, and she asks him to light her candle for her. But, Rodolfo’s candle goes out, too. At the moment, Mimi accidentally drops her key. When the two search for it in the dark, they touch each other’s hand. They fall in love then. Act 2 At the Cafe Momus, Rodolfo introduces Mimi to his three friends. And, Musetta who is the painter Marcello’s lover arrives. Six members enjoy thier Christmas Eve.

La Boheme continued Act 3 The next year, in February, Mimi visits Musetta and Marcello. Mimi consults Musetta about Rodolfo who is recently cold to her. Then, Rodolfo visits Marcello. Mimi hides at once. Rodolfo says to Marcello, “I love Mimi, but she has tuberculosis. I am poor, and I can’t buy any medicine for her, and can’t take care of her. I should say goodbye to her.” Then, Rodolfo notices Mimi. They love each other, but they decide to choose to live separately. Act 3 The next year, in February, Mimi visits Musetta and Marcello. Mimi consults Musetta about Rodolfo who is recently cold to her. Then, Rodolfo visits Marcello. Mimi hides at once. Rodolfo says to Marcello, “I love Mimi, but she has tuberculosis. I am poor, and I can’t buy any medicine for her, and can’t take care of her. I should say goodbye to her.” Then, Rodolfo notices Mimi. They love each other, but they decide to choose to live separately. Act 4 After some time, the four poor Bohemians live happily as usual. Musetta runs into their room with the dying Mimi. Mimi really wants to die at Rodolfo’s side. His friends go out to come up with the money to buy medicine for her. Rodolfo and Mimi remember the time they enjoyed together before. When their friends come back, Mimi takes her last breath. Rodolfo shouts Mimi’s name, and breaks down crying. Act 4 After some time, the four poor Bohemians live happily as usual. Musetta runs into their room with the dying Mimi. Mimi really wants to die at Rodolfo’s side. His friends go out to come up with the money to buy medicine for her. Rodolfo and Mimi remember the time they enjoyed together before. When their friends come back, Mimi takes her last breath. Rodolfo shouts Mimi’s name, and breaks down crying.

What changes do you see? How is Rent more political? How is Rent more political? How is Rent much more up-to-date? How is Rent much more up-to-date? Is Rent darker in outlook than La Boheme? Look, for example, at the title. Is Rent darker in outlook than La Boheme? Look, for example, at the title. It began in 1994 and ran for 12 years. Why do you think it lasted that long? It began in 1994 and ran for 12 years. Why do you think it lasted that long? Go back to the Greek theater – written for community celebrations. How does it fit that goal? Go back to the Greek theater – written for community celebrations. How does it fit that goal?