1. Explore Theatre: A Backstage Pass
Michael M. O’Hara
&
Judith A. Sebesta
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2. Musical Theatre
Chapter 12 02

3. Birth of the Modern Musical
Musicals during the 1920s and 30s:
Music over book
Loose plots
Dances and songs unrelated to story
Escapist entertainment

4. Opinion Poll Which types of musicals do you prefer?
A. Golden Age musicals like Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
B. Musicals by Stephen Sondheim
C. Megamusicals like Cats or Phantom of the Opera
D. More contemporary shows like Rent or Wicked
E. I Don’t Know

5. The Golden Age Musical Oklahoma! (1942) Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

6. The Golden Age Musical Optimistic “vision of reality”
Plot revolves around romance, perhaps two
Stock, simple characters
Substantial libretto

7. The Golden Age Musical Primacy of story over song Similar song types:
Opening Number
(ex.: “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” from Oklahoma!)

8. The Golden Age Musical Similar song types cont.: Character Songs
(ex.: “What Do I Need With Love” from Thoroughly Modern Millie & “Popular” from Wicked)

9. The Golden Age Musical Similar Song Types cont.
Love Songs (ex. “Younger Than Springtime” from South Pacific)
Specialty Number (ex. “Ya Got Trouble” from The Music Man)
Dance Numbers

10. The Golden Age Musical Similar Song Types cont.
Eleven O’Clock Song (ex. “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from Guys and Dolls)
Finale

11. Alternatives to the Golden Age
Unhappy Endings
More complex characters
Challenges to conventional morality and “status quo” (Ex.s: Hair and West Side Story)
Less emphasis on story/book
Challenges to “Americaness”