Broadway Book Musicals: Crash Course Theater #50

Summary

In this final episode of Crash Course Theater, host Mike Rugnetta explores the evolution of the Broadway book musical, highlighting its significance as America's greatest theatrical invention. The episode traces its origins, from early musicals like 'The Black Crook' and the rise of Ziegfeld's Follies to the Golden Age of musicals such as 'Oklahoma!', 'Show Boat', and 'West Side Story.' Emphasizing the influence of composers like Rodgers and Hammerstein, the episode showcases how these musicals revolutionized theater, blending story, song, and dance to create a lasting impact on global entertainment.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Broadway book musicals are a significant part of American theater and have greatly influenced global entertainment.
• 🌟 The Golden Age of Broadway musicals is highlighted by a fusion of song, story, and dance to create a unique theatrical experience.
• 🎵 Early American musicals like 'The Black Crook' and Harrigan and Hart's works laid the foundation for future developments.
• 💃 The Follies, starting in 1907, introduced a new era of musical theater focused on visual spectacle and beautiful chorus girls.
• 🎶 Jerome Kern is recognized as a father of the book musical, emphasizing the integration of song and story.
• 🎩 The 1920s saw the rise of book musicals with coherent plots and songs that advanced the narrative, unlike earlier musical forms.
• 🚢 'Show Boat' (1927) was a groundbreaking musical addressing serious themes and providing substantial roles for African-American actors.
• 🎉 'Oklahoma!' (1943) is a landmark musical that integrated music, lyrics, book scenes, and ballet to tell a complex American story.
• 📚 The musical 'Oklahoma!' pioneered the original cast recording, which became a significant aspect of musical theater.
• 🌐 Post-'Oklahoma!', the Golden Age of musicals flourished with works like 'Carousel,' 'South Pacific,' and 'The Sound of Music'.
• 🎭 The complexity and virtuosity of book musicals make them both a cultural phenomenon and a gateway into a deeper appreciation of theater.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the last episode of Crash Course Theater?

The primary focus of the episode is the Broadway book musical, particularly its Golden Age and how song, story, and dance come together to create this unique theatrical form.

Why does the Broadway book musical matter, according to the script?

The Broadway book musical matters because it changed theater as we know it. It is one of America's most influential entertainment exports, a billion-dollar industry that has spread worldwide.

What were some of the earlier musical traditions in American theater before the book musical?

Before the book musical, American theater was influenced by minstrel shows, vaudeville, pantomime, operetta, and comedy burlesque. Additionally, there were African-American musicals and productions like the Follies, which were focused more on spectacle and entertainment.

What was 'The Black Crook,' and why is it significant in musical theater history?

'The Black Crook' is considered one of the first American musicals. It was created in 1860 when a Parisian ballet troupe, stranded after a theater burned down, was paired with a nonsensical play involving black magic. Though incoherent, it became a hit, blending story, song, and dance.

What was innovative about the musical comedies created by Harrigan and Hart?

Harrigan and Hart's musicals in the 1870s were innovative because they blended variety acts with song-filled shows that humorously mocked working-class life and various ethnic stereotypes, even if the songs didn’t always relate to the plot.

What role did Jerome Kern play in the development of the book musical?

Jerome Kern was a key figure in the development of the book musical. He introduced songs that were catchy, had conversational lyrics, and were better integrated into the plot, marking a departure from the more disjointed musical shows of the past.

Why is 'Show Boat' considered a pivotal musical, and what are its challenges in modern productions?

'Show Boat' (1927) is considered a pivotal musical because it addressed serious issues like racism and offered African-American actors character-driven songs. However, its racial politics are problematic today, making it tricky to revive.

What made Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'Oklahoma!' (1943) so groundbreaking?

'Oklahoma!' was groundbreaking because it integrated music, lyrics, and choreography to tell a coherent, distinctly American story. The characters were complex, and every song and dance number served a purpose in advancing the plot, making it a model for modern musicals.

What was the significance of the dream ballet in 'Oklahoma!'?

The dream ballet in 'Oklahoma!' was significant because it used expressionist dance to explore the internal fears and desires of the characters, adding emotional depth to the story and expanding the artistic possibilities of the musical form.

How did the Golden Age of the Broadway musical continue after 'Oklahoma!'?

The Golden Age of the Broadway musical continued with more sophisticated and complex productions, including Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Carousel,' 'South Pacific,' and 'The Sound of Music,' as well as other landmark shows like 'My Fair Lady,' 'Guys and Dolls,' and 'West Side Story.'