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Lecture:  Musical Theater    Musical theater in America goes all the way back to 1735.  But we're not going to go back that far. Be sure and read your text for the history info.   For the purpose of this class and our discussions, let's clarify the difference between musical theater and a musical review.   Musical Theater has a plot, singing and dancing.  It's like a play, but includes song and dance.   A Musical Review may have songs (and even dances) , but does not have a plot.  It's more like a variety show.  The musical review may even be thematically related (patriotic, '50s) but is not like a play.   Musical theater was instrumental in the development of popular music in America because many songs became popular through these shows.  And as you know, if enough people will buy it (pay for it) they will make more!     There were a few songwriter/lyricist teams who were very successful in this genre.     Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart Pal Joey By Jupiter A Connecticut Yankee           Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II  Carousel   South Pacific   Oklahoma!   The King and I   The Sound of Music         George and Ira Gershwin    Strike Up the Band   Of Thee I Sing   Porgy and Bess "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" (from Porgy and Bess)     The brothers Gershwin were instrumental (pun alert) in introducing jazz elements into musical theater.         Leonard Bernstein West Side Story (with Stephen Sondheim)   "America" from West Side Story           Stephen Sondheim   Gypsy   A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum   Sweeney Todd           Andrew Lloyd Webber Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (with Tim Rice) "Song of the King"  from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat   Jesus Christ Superstar (with Tim Rice)   Evita   Cats "Mr. Mistoffelees" from Cats   Phantom of the Opera         Disney Beauty and the Beast   The Lion King (music by Elton John) "The Circle of Life" from The Lion King       (This info will be helpful on your first exam)   What was important about the following musicals?       Showboat   Porgy and Bess   Oklahoma   Jesus Christ, Superstar     What is the difference between a musical and an opera?   Take a look at what the experts say. Be sure to click on the quotes to get the full answer.   Syllabus    Links    Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson