Essays on Musical Theatre

The musical Hamilton has been critically acclaimed by critics and fans alike. The work tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the most important people in the early history of the United States. However, what makes this musical truly unique is Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star, writer, and composer incorporates modern hip-hop music style into the musical genre, something that had not been done as successfully. Rather than just classical musical numbers or dialogue, this production uses rap and lyrical composition very effectively. Hamilton employs hip-hop music throughout because it is able to bring in groups that do not ...

At the turn of the 20th century, New York City was a hub for diverse theatre styles, aspiring performers from across the country and around the world. The city was undergoing important changes such as the opening of the subway system to the general public. New York was on the move to greatness. Along with the change it was also the age when American theatre was growing. Different personalities were competing for the audiences’ demand and hence, their drive shaped American theatre. However, a distinct style was not easy to give where most of American musical theatre was influenced ...

I watched the December 22, 2011 West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in DVD. It was apparently a new casting headed by Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and Gina Beck as Glinda. The supporting roles were played by Matt Willis as Fiyero, Lillie Flynn as Nessarose, Adam Pettigrew as Boq, Christopher Howell as Dr. Dillamond, Julie Legrand as Madame Morrible, and Desmond Barrit as the Wizard of Oz. The plot was a very interesting portrayal of a story having two sides. It was a retelling of the Wizard of Oz from the point of view of the original story's ...