From Revolution to Revolt in Theatre Artistry: a Shift in American Attitude from Vietnam to Watergate Reflected in the Musicals "Chicago" and "Hair"
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1998 From revolution to revolt in theatre artistry: A shift in American attitude from Vietnam to Watergate reflected in the musicals "Chicago" and "Hair" Erin Auerbach University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Auerbach, Erin, "From revolution to revolt in theatre artistry: A shift in American attitude from Vietnam to Watergate reflected in the musicals "Chicago" and "Hair"" (1998). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 890. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/eikg-kcu8 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ETIOM REVOLUTION TO REVOLT IN THEATRE ARTISTRY: A SHIFT IN AMERICAN ATTITUDE FROM VIETNAM TO WATERGATE REFLECTED IN THE MUSICALS CHICAGO AND HAIR by Erin Auerbach Bachelor of Fine Arts University of Arizona 1995 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of M ater o f Arts in Theater Department of Theater Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number; 13 92294 UMI Microform 1392294 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 23 98 The Thesis prepared by Erin Auerbach Entitled From Revolution To Revolt In Artistry A Shift In American Attitude From Vietnam To Watergate Reflected In The Musicals Hair and Chicago is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Theater Arts_______________________ ' ^^xam in^on Committee Chair / Dean of the CraOiiate College Examination Committee Member Examination Committee Member ] " T ■■ - ' f l — n • t » Graduate College Faciilti/ Reprefèntative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT From Revolution To Revolt in Theatre Artistry: A Shift in American Attitude From Vietnam To Watergate Reflected in the Musicals Hair and Chicago by Erin Auerbach Dr. Jeffrey Keep, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Theater Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas This thesis traces how the artistry of the Broadway musical reflects the condition of the American attitude as influenced by the events of its time. From two historical events, Vietnam to Watergate, there is a shift in attitude evident in two pieces of musical theater. Hair andChicago. What is fascinating is that both Vietnam and Watergate are tragic events: one because of the unnecessary loss of life, and the other because of a loss of faith. Hair is a revolutionary play that indicates the survival of spirit and compassion through rock music and lyrics that reflect the culture of its characters. Chicago, however, treats murder with a tongue-in-cheek attitude in its seductive dances and vaudeville acts, luring an audience into inhumanity. Commercial art thrives on plays that appeal to its target audience as proven by today’s successful runsRent of (a musical often compared toHair) and the revival Chicago.of iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.......................................................................................................... v CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW..........................................................................................................I Review of Literature.......................................................................................................8 CHAPTER 2 THE BEGINNING OF VIETNAM TO THE BIRTH OF HAIR.................12 The Birth of Hair............................................................................................................16 CHAPTER 3 J/A/R.................................................................................................................... 21 How Hair Fared on Broadway.................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER 4 THE DISINTEGRATION OF FAITH: THE END OF THE VIETNAM CONFLICT THROUGH WATERGATE..............................................................................32 CHAPTER 5 CHICAGO.......................................................................................................... 39 Chicago on Broadway................................................................................................. 43 CHAPTER 6 BRINGING IT TOGETHER ........................................................................... 48 Rent as a Modem Day Hair......................................................................................... 48 The Revival ofChicago ................................................................................................ 51 Final Remarks................................................................................................................52 BIBUOGRAPHY...................................................................................................................... 55 VTTA............................................................................................................................................ 59 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the financial and emotional support of my parents, Madeline and James Auerbach. I would also like to thank Dr. Koep for his guidance in helping me throughout graduate school and the writing of this thesis. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER I OVERVIEW Musicals, comedies and dramas told mostly through song and dance, are often a highly valid form of commercial art, and that art is influenced by society. This is evident in the shows Hair andChicago as influenced by Vietnam and Watergate, respectively. Society has a dramatic influence on the art it produces and how people respond to it. Theater is full of social commentary, yet musicals are often scorned for being a more frivolous form of theatre arts. In many cases this criticism is valid; however, there are indeed times when musicals have just as much importance as the so-called straight play. Musicals can also achieve depth while providing engrossing entertainment. Entertainment is defined by Random House Word Menu as, “diverting, amusing, and engaging public performance".' The entertainment thatHair andChicago provide allows the audience member to walk away with more than a good time. There is some food for thought to be consumed in both musicals. Through melody and repetition, songs are remembered far more easily than spoken words. This is important to comprehend because the more one remembers, the more