American Music Theater - A Brief History
How does one define American music theater? As much as I'd like to give you a simple answer, it depends on who you ask. Some may say that it's just the American version of musical theater. In contrast, others may argue that it has to be written by an American composer and performed in America by American actors, but neither of these notions seems 100% correct.
The early 1800s
Minstrelsy was a form of American entertainment that emerged in the early 1800s and often included African-Americans. Minstrel shows were based mainly on caricatures of African-Americans, and these caricatures were often very offensive. The minstrel show profoundly influenced the development of American musical theater. For example, Stephen Foster's song Oh Susanna was first performed as part of a minstrel show.
One of America's most famous composers was Irving Berlin, who grew up in a Yiddish-speaking home and later became an American icon. He became involved in American musical theater, composing classics such as Alexander's Ragtime Band and God Bless America. Another famous composer from that era was George Gershwin, who wrote songs that are still popular today, including Rhapsody in Blue and I Got Rhythm. Gershwin also wrote Porgy and Bess, one of the first genuine opera performances to appear on Broadway.
The 2000s to present
In the 2000s, Broadway and Off-Broadway productions increased in quality and popularity. Shows like Wicked, Rent, The Lion King, Avenue Q, and Billy Elliot were all big hits. In 2006, the Tony Awards ceremony was broadcast for the first time in a decade. The 2010s have seen a multitude of new productions, such as Hamilton (2015), Dear Evan Hansen (2017), and Come From Away (2017).
In 2006, The Lion King was among several Broadway shows to celebrate their tenth anniversary by performing a one-night benefit concert for charity. That same year, Harvey Fierstein's adaptation of Hairspray, starring John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky and directed by Jack O'Brien, won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. And 2008 featured a revival of Mel Brooks' production, Young Frankenstein, starring Roger Bart in the title role. In 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop musical Hamilton (starring Miranda in his Broadway debut) won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical at the 2016 ceremony.
What Makes an Opera an American Musical?
Operas are typically sung in a language other than English, with some exceptions. American musicals and plays, on the other hand, are typically sung in English. Musicals can also be classified as operas if sung entirely in a foreign language. For example, Les Miserables is considered an opera because it is all sung in French. Operas, unlike musicals, have no spoken dialogue during the performance. The singers rely solely on singing to tell their stories and communicate with the audience. Some operas include dialogue between two or more performers but do not give plot details or character development; instead, this dialogue is used to connect one act of an opera to the next.
Pop vs. Musical Theater Audiences
Theater audiences are typically split into two camps: Pop and Musical Theater. Pop theater usually refers to mainstream Broadway shows like Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen, and musical theater includes everything from traditional musicals like The Book of Mormon to more experimental revivals like Spring Awakening.
Pop theater often appeals to a broader audience by incorporating more contemporary music, storylines, and pop culture references. Musical theater is often less accessible due to the show's reliance on classic tunes that are not as well-known as modern hits. Musical theaters also tend to rely heavily on nostalgia which may not appeal to younger audiences.
Icons of the American Musical Stage
The first theater in America was built in 1731 and featured a play called The Beggar's Opera. As the country grew, so did the number of theaters. In 1894, Broadway became America's first significant theater district. It is home to the New York City Ballet Company, Radio City Music Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera House.
Vaudeville was a popular form of entertainment in America during the early 1900s. Vaudeville performers would perform songs, dance, and act their way across a stage while balancing multiple acts. This led to stars like Al Jolson and Judy Garland rising to fame later. Vaudeville ended its run when television became popular during World War II, but many actors got their start in vaudeville, including Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra. It also influenced early musical films like The Jazz Singer (1927), which starred Al Jolson in his first talking role in the movie.
The Importance of Television
Television became a popular medium for American musical theater in the 1930s with the advent of talkies, which were films where actors sang and spoke. One of the first major success stories was The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson, and it was estimated that more than half of all Americans saw it. It was an unexpected hit and ushered in a new era for film.
Television's growth continued into the 1950s when variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show became popular. Sullivan's show featured many up-and-coming musical acts, some coming to prominence on his show and others who had been around for years. Sullivan's television program helped launch Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Jackson 5, Madonna, and many other international superstars.
Broadway vs. Off-Broadway vs. Regional Theatres
Broadway is the most well-known, popular, and prestigious theatrical performance in the United States. Broadway performances are typically musicals produced by one of the Big Four theatre owners in New York City: The Shubert Organization, The Nederlander Organization, The Jujamcyn Organization, or The Fox Theatre Group. Off-Broadway productions may be less expensive and often have more experimental and risky themes than Broadway productions. Regional theatres are located outside New York City and offer a different experience than Broadway or Off-Broadway because they are not as heavily populated with tourists. These theatres usually produce plays rather than musicals.
Conclusion
In early America, the theater was a popular form of entertainment. These performances were not considered high art and were characterized by low-brow humor and comic relief. There was also an emphasis on spectacle with elaborate stage sets and costumes. The first musical in America, The Black Crook, opened in New York City in 1866. Still, it wasn't until the 1900s that the Broadway musical became the dominant form of musical theater in the U.S., with classics like Oklahoma! and South Pacific.