History of American Musical Theatre, Fall 2017

OART-UT 1922.001 (DRLIT-UA 0296.001) 4 credits

Tuesday, Thursday
12:30 - 1:45, 19 University Place, rm. 102

Professor: Steve Nelson

e-mail: scn2@nyu.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, Thursday, 11am – 12pm and by appointment,

726 Broadway, 2nd floor, rm. 249.

REQUIRED TEXTS: Kantor and Maslon. Broadway: The American Musical

(revised ed.)
Kantor and Maslon. Broadway: The American Musical
(DVD)

Additional resources and readings are posted on the course website.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Prepare two papers, 5 - 7 pages each.

Research Paper - This should focus on an individual, period, or some aspect of musical theatre
history, style and/or practice that falls within the confines of the course. See me for suggestions.

Performance Paper - An in-depth review a professional production. See me for suggestions.

Either paper may be done first. See syllabus for topic submission & due dates.
Also see "Paper Guidelines" at the end of this syllabus.

2. There will be a MID-TERM & FINAL EXAM. These will be a combination of short
answers and essays.

GRADING:

Papers……………………….….. 50%
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Exams…………..………………..50%

Class Schedule

Sept. 5 - What is a musical?

Sept. 7 - Precedents and Origins: Minstrelsy & Vaudeville (See Course Documents)

Sept. 12 – Vaudeville, Burlesque, Spectacle and Gilbert & Sullivan (See Course Documents)

Sept. 14 – 1893 – 1919: Berlin, Ziegfeld, Cohan and others (B’Way, Ch. 1)

Sept. 19 – 1920s: (B’Way, Ch. 2): The Jazz Age FIRST PAPER TOPICS DUE!

Sept. 21 - Showboat

Sept. 26 - The 1930s: -The Depression: Cole Porter, the Gershwins and others (B’Way, Ch. 3)

Sept. 28 - Rodgers and Hart and others (B’Way, Ch. 3) MID-TERM REVIEW POSTED

Oct. 3 - WWII & Oklahoma!: (B’Way, Ch. 4, pp. 191-205)

Oct. 5 - MID-TERM EXAM REVIEW

Oct. 10 - MID-TERM EXAM

Oct. 12 - Film Musicals: Berkeley, Astaire, Disney and Garland to Now (Course Documents)

Oct. 17 – WWII and after: (B’Way, Ch. 4, pp. 205 - 239) On the Town & Carousel

Oct. 19 – Annie Get Your Gun & Kiss Me, Kate: 1ST PAPERS DUE!

Oct. 24 – Finian’s Rainbow & South Pacific

Oct. 26 - Guys and Dolls and 1950s musical comedy (B’Way, Ch. 4, pp. 240 – 251)

Oct. 31 & Nov. 2 - King & I and The Sound of Music

Nov. 7 - My Fair Lady (B’Way, Ch. 4, pp. 252 – 259) - 2ND PAPER TOPICS DUE!

Nov. 9 - West Side Story (B’Way, Ch. 4, pp. 260 – 277)

Nov. 14 - Gypsy & Bye Bye Birdie (B’Way, Ch. 5, pp. 279 – 293)

Nov. 16 - More 60s: Fiddler, Cabaret, Hair , 1776 (B’Way, Ch. 5, pp. 294 – 329)
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Nov. 21 – The 70s: Sondheim, Fosse & A Chorus Line (B’Way, Ch. 5, pp. 330 – 371)

Nov. 28 - More 70s: Annie & Sweeney Todd - FINAL EXAM REVIEW POSTED

Dec. 5 – The 80s & 90s: Cats, Les Miz, Rent, Ragtime, Disney and Sondheim (B’Way, Ch. 6)

Dec. 7 – 2000 - 2016 & Beyond: FINAL EXAM REVIEW

Dec. 14 - LAST CLASS – OBJECTIVE PART OF FINAL EXAM. 2ND PAPERS DUE!

NOTE: FINAL EXAM WILL BE IN 2 PARTS: A SIT-DOWN OBJECTIVE PORTION ON

THE LAST DAY OF CLASS AND TAKE HOME ESSAYS SUBMITTED ONLINE. DETAILS
POSTED AFTER THE MID-TERM.

GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS:

The only restrictions for these papers are that you stick to the subject matter and time period
covered by this course (musicals in America between the mid 19th century and now) and that you
submit topics and papers to me by the dates indicated in the syllabus.

NOTE: Drafts of papers may be submitted early (at least 1 WEEK prior to due date) for
comments and suggestions.

The best place locally for research on any theatre/film topic is the New York Public Library for the
Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Double check the reliability of all web sources!

1. In writing about productions, remember these criteria:

* Describe what sort of show it is (revival, new musical, adaptation, etc.). What tone and
style are they trying for? What (if anything) sets it apart from and/or connects it to other
shows you’ve seen or to things we’ve discussed in class? Provide back story on creators
and how the show came to be as needed.

* Discuss strengths and weaknesses of music, lyrics, book, choreography, staging, casting,
individual performances and design. How (& how well) does the production utilize these
elements? Does it realize the aims of its creators? Assess and critique specific
performances and directorial/production choices.

* Was it worth doing? Give your judgment (and those of audiences/critics, if relevant).

2. All papers must be submitted online to NYU Classes, double spaced; 12 point Times
Roman font, 1” margins. NO EXCEPTIONS. Minimum length: 5 pgs. Maximum length 7 pgs.
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All papers must cite sources in the body of the paper and include a complete bibliography. All
papers must be proofread. Any paper with more than FIVE (5) proofreading errors will be
returned ungraded. When resubmitted, the paper will be given a letter grade reduction.

3. Papers and topics are due on the assigned dates. Late papers without a previously granted
extension will not be accepted. I do not give incompletes.

4. University policies on cheating and plagiarism will be strictly enforced. For details on,
please refer to page the Tisch School of the Arts Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found
online at: http://students.tisch.nyu.edu/page/home.html

Selected Musical Theatre Bibliography:

Bordman, Gerald. American Musical Theatre

Engel, Lehman. The American Musical Theatre
Gottfried, Martin. Broadway Musicals
Grant, Mark. The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical
Green, Stanley. The World of Musical Comedy (various other titles)
Jones, Tom. Making Musicals
Kenrick, John. Musical Theatre: A History
Knapp, Raymond. The American Musical and the Formation of National Identity
Laufe, Abe. Broadway’s Greatest Musicals
Lerner, Alan Jay. The Musical Theatre: A Celebration; On the Street Where I Live
Mast, Gerald. Can't Help Singin' (film and stage musicals)
Mates, Julian. America's Musical Stage (focus on 19th century)
Mordden, Ethan. (various titles)
Sheed, Wilfrid. The House That George Built
Singer, Barry. Ever After: The Last Years of Musical Theater and Beyond
Sondheim, Stephen. Finishing the Hat; Look, I Made a Hat
Steyn, Mark. Broadway Babies Say Goodnight
Suskin, Steven. Opening Nights on Broadway
Smith, Cecil & Litton, Glenn. Musical Comedy in America
Woll, Allen. Black Musical Theatre
Zadan, Craig. Sondheim & Company