The Broadway musical
is the heart and soul of American show business. Focusing on
themes that Broadway popularizes, this course explores changes
in American attitudes towards sex, gender, race, class, money,
all of which perpetually re-define the American Dream. American
myths about unsung underdog heroes and heroines, American
idolization of youth, stereotypically American attitudes, among
them optimism, pragmatism, and a love of breaking the rules,
will be examined through the lens of the Broadway musical. Each class will be devoted
to scenes from one or more musicals, among them the first
“talkie” with lip-synched singing and speech, namely The Jazz Singer (1927).
Spectacular portraits of
the old west like Annie
Get Your Gun (1946; 1950) will be included, along with
controversial interrogations of American attitudes, among them Oklahoma (1943; 1955;
2019) and South Pacific
(1949; 1958; 2001 made-for-TV). Politics, both American and
German, will enter the picture with Hair (1968,
revived 2009. Film 1979)
and Cabaret (1966;
1972). Students are encouraged to suggest Broadway musicals they
would like to discuss. A reader will be provided.
- Lehrende(r): Melissa Knox-Raab