Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description
American Musical Theater: Art, Commerce, and Culture
Instructor(s): Eunice Ferreira, Theater
Why do people burst into song in 音乐als? What made Spider Man: Turn off the Dark the most expensive production (est. $75 million) in Broadway history? If 音乐als are supposed to be light and fun, what are gangs, racial prejudice, homophobia, murder and teen suicide doing in a hit show? These questions reflect the tree major perspectives from which we will examine one of the most quintessential American performance traditions – the 音乐al! As a work of art, we will examine its aesthetic components, considering the form and function of 音乐, lyrics, dance, acting, dramatic literature, performance conventions and creative process. As popular entertainment, the 音乐al raises questions about the economics of leisure, audience demographics, and the rising cost of producing 新作品. As a cultural lens, we will consider how 音乐al theater artists have reflected, shaped and challenged constructs of gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity, class, and social justice. We will take a historical and critical approach to our study with special emphasis on productions that reflect major shifts and trends from 显示船 to Spring Awakening. No prior 音乐al theater experience is necessary but performance opportunities will be available as a means to make discoveries about the course materials and combine research with practice.
Course Offered