THEA 1740 - History and Analysis of Musical Theatre

Musical theatre is an exciting, highly collaborative, and constantly evolving art form that is quintessentially American. This course is a survey of the creation and development of American musical theatre from its roots in early European comic opera and operetta to the contemporary Broadway musical. Students will learn the history and basic forms/styles of musical theatre; explore the aesthetic and philosophical attitudes of those who create(d) musical theatre; and examine the political climates and prevailing social attitudes of the eras in which musical theatre was and is currently created and how these climates and attitudes have inspired and influenced the subject matter, artists, and productions.