THEA-1100: Survey and Appreciation of American Musical Theatre 1

THEA-1100: SURVEY AND APPRECIATION OF AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE Cuyahoga Community College Viewing: THEA-1100 : Survey and Appreciation of American Musical Theatre Board of Trustees: 2015-05-28

Academic Term: Fall 2021

Subject Code THEA - Theatre Arts

Course Number: 1100

Title: Survey and Appreciation of American Musical Theatre

Catalog Description: Survey and appreciation of dramatic, musical and staging development of American musical theatre from 18th century through 20th century, including mega-musicals of 1990s.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3 Lab Hour(s): 0

Other Hour(s): 0 Requisites

Prerequisite and Corequisite ENG-0995 Applied College Literacies, or appropriate score on English Placement Test. Note: ENG-0990 Language Fundamentals II taken prior to Fall 2021 will also meet prerequisite requirements. Outcomes Course Outcome(s): Within a historical context, trace and analyze the development of American musical theatre from its inception in the eighteenth century through its most recent permutations in the twenty-first century.

Essential Learning Outcome Mapping: Critical/Creative Thinking: Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in order to consider problems/ideas and transform them in innovative or imaginative ways.

Objective(s): 1. Define the antecedents to the genre of “musical theatre.” 2. Identify the genres in the eighteenth century Ballad Opera and Singspiel. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the development of musical theatre conventions: operetta, minstrel, revue, vaudeville, burlesque, musical comedy, and rock opera. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the social and economic attitudes that prevail and how they are reflected in the musical theatre. 2 THEA-1100: Survey and Appreciation of American Musical Theatre

Course Outcome(s): Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of the unique musical comedy performer, director, and choreographer.

Essential Learning Outcome Mapping: Critical/Creative Thinking: Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in order to consider problems/ideas and transform them in innovative or imaginative ways.

Objective(s): 1. Identify representative musical theatre directors and choreographers, e.g. Burrows, DeMille, White Robbins, Fosse, Champion, etc. 2. Identify representative composers, librettists, and lyricists of the 20th century, e.g. Kern, Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bernstein, Webber, etc. 3. Evaluate the libretto of a musical script in terms of plot development and character development. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of music values of a musical score in terms of melody, rhythm, and harmony. 5. Analyze the total effect of a musical theatre work in terms of the integration of drama, music, and dance. 6. Identify representative musical theatre performers, e.g. Jolson, Drake, Merman, Keel, Martin, Verdon, Crawford, etc.

Course Outcome(s): Demonstrate a comprehension of the structural form of the operetta, revue, and musical comedy.

Essential Learning Outcome Mapping: Critical/Creative Thinking: Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in order to consider problems/ideas and transform them in innovative or imaginative ways.

Objective(s): 1. Aurally recognize musical similarities and differences among American musical styles. 2. Demonstrate a comprehension of the style of vaudeville, burlesque, and rock musicals.

Course Outcome(s): Apply and demonstrate a discriminating judgment when reading librettos or attending theatrical musical productions.

Essential Learning Outcome Mapping: Written Communication: Demonstrate effective written communication for an intended audience that follows genre/disciplinary conventions that reflect clarity, organization, and editing skills.

Objective(s): 1. Explain the process of writing a musical theatre production critique.

Methods of Evaluation: 1. Objective and essay quizzes 2. Audio/visual quizzes 3. Ability to identify differences among American musical styles 4. Written report on a performance or script or recording 5. Final objective, essay examination 6. Participation

Course Content Outline: 1. Theatrical form a. Opera/operetta b. Minstrel show c. Revue/ vaudeville/ burlesque d. Musical comedy e. Music drama f. Evolution in dance 2. Musical theatre convention a. 18th century - ballad opera and satirical burlesque b. 19th century - "combination" company and ballet extravaganza c. 20th century i. 1900''s - minstrel shows and olios ii. 1920''s - black musicals THEA-1100: Survey and Appreciation of American Musical Theatre 3

iii. 1930''s - adding the story iv. 1940''s - total integration of drama, music, and dance v. 1950''s - adaptations vi. 1960''s - emergence of the musical comedy performer vii. 1970''s - rock musicals viii. 1980''s - influence of technology ix. 1980''s to present - American musical theatre revivals x. J. 1990''s - the legacy of Webber, Rice, Sondheim 3. Historical background a. Social b. Economical c. Political 4. Libretto structure a. Plot development b. Character development c. Demonstrated history of period 5. Music a. Solos b. Duets c. Ensembles d. Melody e. Harmony f. Rhythm g. Dance music arrangements and underscoring 6. Selected supplemental study; viewing and listening a. Noted musical theatre singers and dancers b. Contrasting musical styles i. Showboat ii. South Pacific iii. West Side Story iv. Kismet v. Jesus Christ Superstar vi. Les Miserables vii. Into the Woods viii. Rent 7. Selected readings a. Original scripts b. Adapted scripts c. Representative reviews . . Resources Bordman, Gerald. American Musical Comedy from Adonis to Dreamgirls. New York: Oxford University, 1982.

Engel Lehman. The American Music Theatre: A Consideration. New York: MacMillan, 1967.

Ewen David. New Complete Book of the American Musical Theatre. 5th ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2014.

Green, Stanley. Broadway Musicals: Show by Show. 3rd. H. Leonard Books, 1990.

Mates, Julian. America's Musical Stage: Two Hundred Years of Musical Theater. Praeger, 1987.

McLamore, Alyson. Musical Theater: An Appreciation. First. Pearson, 2005. 4 THEA-1100: Survey and Appreciation of American Musical Theatre

Resources Other 1. Stage to Stage. The Making of Les Miserables. New York, 1994. 2. Broadway! A Musical History. Irvine, CA: Chesney Communications, 1988.

Instructional Services

OAN Number: Ohio Transfer 36 TMAH

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