13.1 Broadway musicals and show tunes

Broadway musicals and show tunes are the heartbeat of American theater. From their origins in European operettas to the Golden Age and beyond, these musical productions have shaped cultural identity and storytelling traditions.

Show tunes serve as the building blocks of musicals, combining catchy melodies with clever lyrics. They advance plots, develop characters, and create emotional connections with audiences, cementing Broadway's influence on popular culture and entertainment.

Broadway Musicals: A Cultural History

Origins and Golden Age

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• Broadway musicals evolved from European operettas and vaudeville shows in the late 19th century into a uniquely American art form
• Golden Age of Broadway (1940s-1960s) saw emergence of integrated musicals weaving songs and dances seamlessly into narratives ("Oklahoma!", "West Side Story")
• Integrated musicals revolutionized storytelling by using music to advance plot and develop characters
• Early musicals often featured loosely connected songs and sketches without cohesive plots
• Rodgers and Hammerstein pioneered the integrated musical format with "Oklahoma!" in 1943

Social Impact and Evolution

• Broadway musicals consistently reflected and influenced American social and cultural issues
• Musicals addressed topics like race relations ("Showboat"), gender roles ("Annie Get Your Gun"), and political ideologies ("Hair")
• Evolution of Broadway included shifts in musical styles mirroring changes in popular music trends
  • Traditional show tunes gave way to rock musicals ("Jesus Christ Superstar")
  • Jukebox musicals emerged using existing popular songs ("Mamma Mia!")
• Musicals exported American values and storytelling traditions globally through touring productions and film adaptations
  • "The Sound of Music" film adaptation reached international audiences
  • "Les Misérables" began on Broadway before becoming a global phenomenon

Economic and Cultural Significance

• Broadway played crucial role in shaping American cultural identity
• Economic impact of Broadway on New York City and broader entertainment industry proved substantial
  • Contributed to tourism (millions of visitors annually)
  • Created jobs in theater production, hospitality, and related industries
  • Supported ancillary businesses (restaurants, hotels, transportation)
• Broadway theaters clustered in the Theater District became iconic New York landmarks
• Tony Awards, established in 1947, elevated prestige of Broadway productions
• Broadway success often led to lucrative film adaptations and national tours
  • "Chicago" musical adapted into Oscar-winning film in 2002
  • "Wicked" continues to tour nationally and internationally

Show Tunes: Structure and Function

Composition and Lyrical Elements

• Successful show tunes feature memorable melodies, clever lyrics, and emotional resonance
• Melodies designed for singability and instant recognition
  • "Memory" from "Cats" exemplifies a haunting, memorable melody
• Lyrics often employ wordplay, rhyme schemes, and narrative exposition
  • "My Shot" from "Hamilton" showcases clever wordplay and character development
• Emotional resonance achieved through combination of music and lyrics
  • "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked" captures feelings of empowerment and rebellion
• Balance maintained between standalone appeal and narrative function
  • Songs enjoyable out of context while driving story forward within the musical

Narrative Functions

• "I Want" songs establish protagonist's motivations and set narrative in motion
  • "Somewhere That's Green" from "Little Shop of Horrors" reveals Audrey's dreams
• Ensemble numbers advance plot, provide multiple perspectives, and create spectacle
  • "One Day More" from "Les Misérables" brings together multiple character arcs
• Leitmotifs and recurring musical themes develop character arcs and reinforce plot points
  • "The Phantom of the Opera" uses recurring melodies to represent characters and themes
• Dance numbers integrated with show tunes further character development and plot progression
  • "America" from "West Side Story" uses dance to explore cultural tensions
• Placement and pacing of songs crucial for maintaining dramatic tension and audience engagement
  • Act one finales often feature climactic ensemble numbers ("Defying Gravity" in "Wicked")

Musical Storytelling Techniques

• Songs serve multiple narrative functions within musicals
  • Exposition songs introduce characters and settings ("Belle" from "Beauty and the Beast")
  • Conflict songs highlight tensions between characters ("Confrontation" from "Jekyll & Hyde")
  • Resolution songs provide emotional catharsis ("For Good" from "Wicked")
• Reprises and musical callbacks reinforce themes and character growth
  • "Do You Hear the People Sing?" reprise in "Les Misérables" transforms from rebellion to triumph
• Underscoring and incidental music enhance dramatic moments and scene transitions
  • "The Carousel Waltz" from "Carousel" sets the mood without lyrics
• Contrast in musical styles used to differentiate characters or time periods
  • "Hamilton" employs rap for modern characters and traditional ballads for King George III

Broadway's Influence on American Entertainment

Impact on Popular Music

• Broadway musicals significantly impacted popular music
• Many show tunes became mainstream hits covered by pop artists
  • "Seasons of Love" from "Rent" covered by numerous pop artists
  • "Memory" from "Cats" recorded by Barbara Streisand and Barry Manilow
• Storytelling techniques influenced development of concept albums in popular music
  • The Who's "Tommy" began as a concept album before becoming a Broadway show
• Theatrical elements of Broadway inspired creation of elaborate music videos
  • Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video incorporated Broadway-style choreography and narrative

Influence on Film and Television

• Broadway's influence extends to film and television industries
• Many musicals adapted for the screen, inspiring original movie musicals
  • "Chicago" successfully transitioned from stage to Oscar-winning film
  • "La La Land" drew inspiration from classic Hollywood musicals rooted in Broadway traditions
• TV shows incorporated musical elements inspired by Broadway
  • "Glee" featured Broadway-style musical numbers and guest appearances by theater stars
  • "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" used original songs to advance plot in sitcom format
• Broadway actors frequently transition to film and television roles
  • Kristin Chenoweth moved from Broadway ("Wicked") to TV ("Pushing Daisies")

Broader Entertainment Industry Impact

• Choreography and staging innovations influenced dance styles in other entertainment forms
  • Music videos often incorporate Broadway-inspired dance numbers
  • Live concerts by pop artists feature theatrical elements derived from Broadway productions
• Broadway's emphasis on live performance helped preserve acoustic instrumentation
  • Encouraged appreciation for live music in increasingly digital landscape
• Broadway model of developing new works adopted by other entertainment sectors
  • Film industry uses test screenings similar to Broadway's out-of-town tryouts
  • Television pilots refined through processes similar to workshop productions
• Success of Broadway musicals inspired similar productions in other venues
  • Theme parks create Broadway-style shows (Disney's "Festival of the Lion King")
  • Cruise ships feature abridged versions of popular musicals
  • Las Vegas shows incorporate elements of Broadway spectacle and storytelling

Key Figures in Broadway History

Revolutionary Composers and Lyricists

• Rodgers and Hammerstein revolutionized modern musical with integrated approach
  • Created classics like "Oklahoma!" (1943) and "The Sound of Music" (1959)
  • Pioneered use of songs to develop characters and advance plot
• Stephen Sondheim pushed boundaries with complex, sophisticated works
  • Wrote lyrics for "West Side Story" (1957) and "Gypsy" (1959)
  • Composed and wrote lyrics for "Sweeney Todd" (1979) and "Into the Woods" (1987)
• Andrew Lloyd Webber achieved global popularity with rock-influenced scores
  • "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1971) introduced rock opera to Broadway
  • "The Phantom of the Opera" (1986) became longest-running Broadway show
• Leonard Bernstein fused classical, jazz, and Latin music in Broadway compositions
  • "West Side Story" (1957) showcased innovative musical styles and orchestrations
  • "On the Town" (1944) incorporated jazz and swing elements

Influential Collaborations and Performers

• Kander and Ebb partnership produced enduring classics
  • "Cabaret" (1966) explored dark themes in pre-WWII Berlin
  • "Chicago" (1975) satirized celebrity culture and criminal justice system
• Lerner and Loewe created beloved musicals with rich characters
  • "My Fair Lady" (1956) adapted Shaw's "Pygmalion" with memorable songs
  • "Camelot" (1960) romanticized Arthurian legend through music
• Legendary performers set standards for vocal performance and character interpretation
  • Ethel Merman known for powerful voice and comic timing ("Gypsy")
  • Julie Andrews starred in iconic roles ("My Fair Lady", "Camelot")
  • Bernadette Peters recognized for versatility and emotional depth ("Sunday in the Park with George")

Contemporary Innovators

• Lin-Manuel Miranda redefined possibilities of musical storytelling
  • "In the Heights" (2008) incorporated hip-hop and Latin music styles
  • "Hamilton" (2015) used rap and diverse casting to retell American history
• Jeanine Tesori composed diverse range of musical styles
  • "Fun Home" (2015) tackled complex family dynamics and LGBTQ+ themes
  • "Caroline, or Change" (2004) blended blues, Motown, and classical influences
• Jason Robert Brown known for emotionally rich, contemporary scores
  • "Parade" (1998) addressed historical injustice through powerful music
  • "The Last Five Years" (2001) innovatively structured narrative through song