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Nothing is more American than musical theatre! From "Oklahoma!" to "Hamilton," musical theatre has embodied the American Idea, staging stories about opportunity, patriotism, tolerance, and community. It has taken on American problems too, like racism, exclusion, or corporate greed. Some argue that musical theatre has contributed to those same problems, circulating stereotypes, justifying injustices, and acting as a tool of cultural imperialism.

In this class, we’ll delve into this history, asking what musical theatre can tell us about America’s past, and how recent innovations in the form might help us imagine America’s future. We will analyze production numbers, exploring how each of a musical’s elements — lyrics, plot, score, choreography, and design — builds meaning. We’ll watch lots of examples, look at archival documents from original productions, and talk with visiting directors, choreographers, and designers about how they interpret and reinterpret classic musicals. There will be a short paper putting a production in its historical context, a photo-essay in which you analyze a musical number, and a couple of field trips to productions on and off campus. We will end with a group assignment in which you pitch a revival of a classic musical to a panel of Broadway producers.

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