"Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance."
A study of the origins and development of musical theater, including the evolution of the American musical, the works of major composers and lyricists, and the impact of musicals on popular culture and other art forms.
The origins of Musical Theater: The beginnings of musical theater can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, which had forms of musical drama.
Operetta and musical comedy: Operetta emerged in France in the 19th century, and musical comedy originated in the United States in the late 1800s.
The Golden Age of Musical Theater: This period of musical theater lasted from the 1940s to the 1960s and included the works of composers such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, and Frank Loesser.
The rock musical: The rock musical emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s and included shows such as Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Rent.
Contemporary musical theater: This includes shows that are currently in production as well as newer shows that have emerged in the past few decades.
The role of the composer: Composers are responsible for writing the music and lyrics for a musical theater production.
The role of the librettist: The librettist is responsible for writing the script and dialogue for a musical theater production.
The role of the director: The director is responsible for staging the production and working with actors and designers to bring the show to life.
The role of the choreographer: The choreographer is responsible for creating and teaching the dance sequences in a musical theater production.
Musical theater as an art form: The study of musical theater can focus on its history, cultural significance, and impact on society.
The business of Broadway: Understanding the economics of producing a Broadway show, including financing, marketing, and ticket sales.
Interpretation and performance: Analyzing and performing musical theater works in order to understand the intent of the authors and the messages conveyed through the works.
Technical aspects of production: Understanding the various technical aspects of putting on a musical theater production, including set design, lighting, and sound.
Musical theater and social issues: Analyzing the ways in which musical theater addresses social and political issues of the time in which it is created.
Critiquing musical theater: Learning how to evaluate and critique musical theater productions based on performance, overall design, and artistic intent.
Vaudeville: A type of musical theater that featured various acts, including singing, dancing, comedy, and acrobatics, performed by a variety of performers.
Operetta: A type of musical theater that originated in the 19th century and features light, comic, and romantic subject matter with spoken dialogue interspersed with musical numbers.
Mainstream Musicals: A type of musical theater that is defined by the combination of music, lyrics, and dialogue to tell a story, often with a happy ending, and featuring characters who sing and dance.
Concept Musicals: A type of musical theater that is driven more by the concept or idea behind the show than by the story, often with a more experimental approach that challenges traditional expectations.
Rock Musicals: A type of musical theater that blends rock music and storytelling, typically with a more rebellious, anti-establishment message and a darker tone.
Revues: A type of musical theater that featured a collection of unrelated songs, sketches, and performances strung together to create an entertaining evening of entertainment.
Jukebox Musicals: A type of musical theater that uses popular songs, usually from a particular artist or era, to tell a story or explore a theme.
Folk Operas: A type of musical theater that combines elements of opera, musical theater, and traditional folk music to create a unique and distinctive style.
Performance Art: A type of musical theater that blends elements of theater, music, dance, and visual art to create a multidisciplinary and often experimental work of art.
Burlesque: A type of musical theater that features bawdy and provocative performances that playfully subvert traditional gender roles and social norms.
"The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement, and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole."
"Musical theatre may be distinguished by the equal importance given to the music as compared with the dialogue, movement, and other elements."
"Modern Western musical theatre emerged during the 19th century."
"The works of Gilbert and Sullivan in Britain and those of Harrigan and Hart in America."
"Edwardian musical comedies, which emerged in Britain."
"Show Boat (1927), Of Thee I Sing (1931), and Oklahoma! (1943)."
"My Fair Lady (1956), The Fantasticks (1960), Hair (1967), A Chorus Line (1975), Les Misérables (1985), The Phantom of the Opera (1986), Rent (1996), Wicked (2003), and Hamilton (2015)."
"Musicals are performed around the world."
"Big-budget Broadway or West End productions in New York City or London."
"Off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, regional theatre, fringe theatre, or community theatre productions."
"Musicals are often presented by amateur and school groups in churches, schools, and other performance spaces."
"There are vibrant musical theatre scenes in continental Europe, Asia, Australasia, Canada, and Latin America."
"Combine songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance."
"The story and emotional content are communicated through words, music, movement, and technical aspects."
"During the 19th century."
"The works of Gilbert and Sullivan and Harrigan and Hart."
"Show Boat (1927), Of Thee I Sing (1931), and Oklahoma! (1943)."
"Large venues like Broadway or West End productions, smaller venues, or even amateur and school performances."
"Continental Europe, Asia, Australasia, Canada, and Latin America have vibrant musical theatre scenes."