Musical Theater up to Musical Theater up to RentRent

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 ExperienceThe Immigrant Experience

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

The Music is Immigrant and The Music is Immigrant and African-American musicAfrican-American music

They used music from home (Jewish They used music from home (Jewish and western European, plus African-and western European, plus African-American – jazz, spirituals, and American – jazz, spirituals, and ragtime)ragtime)

Singers include immigrants or Singers include immigrants or children of immigrants: Ethel children of immigrants: Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand, Idina Merman, Barbra Streisand, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Mandy Patinkin, Menzel, Lea Michele, Mandy Patinkin, and Harvey Fiersteinand Harvey Fierstein

Examples from MusicalsExamples from Musicals

“America” (West Side Story)“A Hundred Million Miracles” (

Flower Drum Song)

A Theater of People from the A Theater of People from the Margins, not the Center of Margins, not the Center of

powerpowerPhantom of the OperaSweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of

Fleet StreetFleet StreetRentLes MiserablesLa Cage aux FollesEvitaGuys and DollsAin’t Misbehavin’

A Theater descended from A Theater descended from Opera and OperettaOpera and Operetta

La Boheme the opera becomes La Boheme the opera becomes RentRentMadama Butterfly becomes Madama Butterfly becomes M. M.

Butterfly Butterfly (a play but not musical (a play but not musical theater)theater)

Cendrillon becomes CinderellaCendrillon becomes CinderellaCarmen Carmen becomes becomes Carmen JonesCarmen Jones

Oscar Hammerstein II as Oscar Hammerstein II as exampleexample

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

He was a crusader for human equality, partly because his grandchildren were mixed Japanese and Caucasian.

House Unamerican ActivitiesHouse Unamerican Activities

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

Mentor and FriendMentor and Friend

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

Theater with a Political EdgeTheater with a Political Edge

Justifying intermarriage or love Justifying intermarriage or love across ethnic/ cultural lines across ethnic/ cultural lines

ShowboatShowboatSouth PacificSouth PacificWest Side Story West Side Story The King and IThe King and IRentRentBeauty and the Beast?Beauty and the Beast?

La Boheme vs. RentLa Boheme vs. Rent Act 1Act 1

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

La Boheme La Boheme continuedcontinued Act 3Act 3

The next year, in February, Mimi visits Musetta and Marcello. Mimi The next year, in February, Mimi visits Musetta and Marcello. Mimi consults Musetta about Rodolfo who is recently cold to her. Then, consults Musetta about Rodolfo who is recently cold to her. Then, Rodolfo visits Marcello. Mimi hides at once. Rodolfo says to Rodolfo visits Marcello. Mimi hides at once. Rodolfo says to Marcello, “I love Mimi, but she has tuberculosis. I am poor, and I 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 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 say goodbye to her.” Then, Rodolfo notices Mimi. They love each other, but they decide to choose to live separately.other, but they decide to choose to live separately.

Act 4Act 4After some time, the four poor Bohemians live happily as usual. After some time, the four poor Bohemians live happily as usual. Musetta runs into their room with the dying Mimi. Mimi really 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 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 money to buy medicine for her. Rodolfo and Mimi remember the time they enjoyed together before. When their friends come the time they enjoyed together before. When their friends come back, Mimi takes her last breath. Rodolfo shouts Mimi’s name, and back, Mimi takes her last breath. Rodolfo shouts Mimi’s name, and breaks down crying. breaks down crying.

What changes do you see?What changes do you see?

How is How is RentRent more political? more political?How is How is RentRent much more up-to-date? much more up-to-date? IsIs Rent Rent darker in outlook than darker in outlook than La La

BohemeBoheme? Look, for example, at the title.? Look, for example, at the title. It began in 1994 and ran for 12 years. It began in 1994 and ran for 12 years.

Why do you think it lasted that long?Why do you think it lasted that long?Go back to the Greek theater – written Go back to the Greek theater – written

for community celebrations. How does for community celebrations. How does it fit that goal?it fit that goal?