9.2 The Evolution of Musical Theater Dance

Musical theater dance has evolved from vaudeville acts to a crucial storytelling element. The Golden Age of Broadway saw dance become integral to plot and character development, with landmark productions like Oklahoma! and West Side Story.

Today, musical theater embraces diverse dance styles, from hip-hop to ballet. Recent trends show a resurgence of dance-heavy productions, with shows like Hamilton and Newsies pushing choreographic boundaries and audience expectations.

Dance in Musical Theater: A History

From Vaudeville to the Golden Age

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• Vaudeville (late 19th to early 20th century) incorporated variety acts including dance set the stage for dance integration in musical theater
• "Book musical" emergence in 1920s and 1930s integrated dance more seamlessly into storytelling (Show Boat, 1927)
• Golden Age of Broadway (1940s-1960s) elevated dance to crucial element in advancing plot and character development
  • Landmark productions showcased this evolution (Oklahoma!, 1943 and West Side Story, 1957)
• Dance-centric film musicals (1930s to 1950s) significantly impacted stage musical dance development
  • Films like Top Hat (1935) and Singin' in the Rain (1952) influenced choreographic styles and audience expectations

Contemporary Developments and Trends

• Concept musical of 1970s and 1980s often placed dance at forefront of narrative structure
  • A Chorus Line (1975) centered entire show around dancers' experiences
• Contemporary musical theater (1990s-present) embraces diverse dance styles
  • Incorporation of hip-hop, contemporary, and acrobatics (Rent, 1996 and Hamilton, 2015)
• Recent trends show resurgence of dance-heavy productions
  • Newsies (2012) featured extensive athletic choreography
  • An American in Paris (2015) incorporated classical ballet
• Integration of immersive and interactive elements in musical theater choreography
  • Sleep No More (2011) allows audience to follow dancers through a multi-story set
  • Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (2016) placed audience members directly in the performance space

Choreographers: Shaping Musical Theater Dance

Pioneers and Innovators

• Agnes de Mille revolutionized musical theater dance with groundbreaking dream ballet in Oklahoma! (1943)
  • Integrated ballet technique with character-driven storytelling
  • Influenced subsequent choreographers to use dance for psychological exploration
• Jerome Robbins elevated role of dance in musicals through dynamic, story-advancing choreography
  • West Side Story (1957) blended ballet, jazz, and Latin dance styles
  • Fiddler on the Roof (1964) incorporated authentic folk dance elements
• Bob Fosse developed distinctive, jazz-influenced style characterized by angular movements, turned-in knees, and precise isolations
  • Signature style evident in works like Chicago (1975) and Pippin (1972)
  • Influenced generations of dancers and choreographers beyond musical theater

Contemporary Masters

• Michael Bennett pioneered concept musical and showcased lives of dancers
  • A Chorus Line (1975) revolutionized structure and focus of musical theater
  • Dreamgirls (1981) further explored integrating dance into storytelling
• Gower Champion brought cinematic flair to stage choreography
  • 42nd Street (1980) blended tap dance with complex staging and large ensemble numbers
  • Bye Bye Birdie (1960) showcased his ability to create character-driven choreography
• Susan Stroman revitalized traditional musical theater dance in late 20th and early 21st centuries
  • Contact (1999) pushed boundaries of dance-driven storytelling
  • The Producers (2001) demonstrated her versatility in various dance styles
• Andy Blankenbuehler's contemporary choreography showcases integration of hip-hop and modern dance styles
  • Hamilton (2015) reflects current cultural trends through movement
  • Bandstand (2017) incorporated period-specific dance with contemporary sensibilities

Dance, Music, and Narrative in Musical Theater

Functional Roles of Dance

• Dance in musical theater serves multiple functions
  • Advances plot (The Music Man's "Marian the Librarian")
  • Reveals character emotions (Carousel's "If I Loved You" ballet)
  • Establishes setting (The Lion King's "Circle of Life")
  • Creates spectacle (Anything Goes' title number)
• "Dream ballet" or "ballet sequence" allows deeper exploration of characters' inner thoughts and conflicts
  • Set to orchestral arrangements of show's music
  • Examples include Carousel's "Billy's Walk" and An American in Paris' extended ballet finale
• Dance serves as form of subtext conveying information or emotions not explicitly stated in dialogue or lyrics
  • West Side Story's dance at the gym sequence communicates tension between rival gangs

Choreographic Integration

• Choreography intricately linked to musical score with dancers interpreting rhythms, melodies, and lyrics through movement
  • Singin' in the Rain's title number perfectly syncs dance moves to musical phrasing
• Integration of dance breaks and production numbers varies in different musical styles
  • Traditional musicals often have clearly delineated dance numbers (42nd Street)
  • Contemporary works weave dance more seamlessly into narrative (Once)
• Use of dance styles reflects time period, cultural context, or character backgrounds within narrative
  • Hairspray incorporates 1960s social dances to establish era
  • The Lion King uses African dance styles to represent cultural setting
• Choreographers collaborate closely with directors, composers, and librettists
  • Ensures dance elements align with and enhance overall storytelling and thematic elements
  • Example: Stephen Schwartz and Bob Fosse's collaboration on Pippin

Technological Advancements vs. Cultural Shifts in Musical Theater Dance

Technological Impacts

• Sophisticated lighting and sound systems allow more dynamic and precise integration of dance with theatrical elements
  • Moving lights and LED screens enhance dance visibility and create immersive environments (Paramour)
• Stage machinery and set design advancements expanded possibilities for aerial dance and acrobatics
  • Flying sequences in Wicked and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
• Motion capture technology and projection mapping enable new forms of interaction between dancers and digital elements
  • An American in Paris used projections to create dynamic backdrops for dance sequences
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies impact dance conception and presentation
  • The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2016) incorporated real-time motion capture in live performance

Cultural Influences and Global Exchange

• Social media and digital platforms influence choreographic styles
  • Increased emphasis on visually striking moments for online sharing (Hamilton's "Satisfied" turntable sequence)
• Cultural shifts towards diversity and inclusion led to broader range of dance styles and cultural influences
  • The Lion King incorporates various African dance styles
  • In the Heights blends Latin dance forms with contemporary choreography
• Globalization of theater resulted in cross-cultural exchanges of dance styles and techniques
  • Bollywood-inspired choreography in Bombay Dreams
  • Korean traditional dance elements in KPOP the Musical
• Rise of jukebox musicals and bio-musicals incorporate period-specific or artist-inspired dance styles
  • Mamma Mia! features disco-inspired choreography
  • MJ the Musical showcases Michael Jackson's iconic dance moves