Broadway musicals
Choose one of the following original broadway musicals for this assignment:
PINS AND NEEDLES
HAIR
WEST SIDE STORY
FALSETTOS
RENT
CHICAGO
SOUTH PACIFIC
CABARET
FINIAN’S RAINBOW
SHOW BOAT
FUN HOME
HAMILTON
NOTE THE POINT VALUES FOR EACH QUESTION.
Find as much information about the following topics as they relate to the musical being studied. You must answer the first 3
1. (5 pts) Who is the Composer?
2. (5 pts) Who is the Lyricist?
3. (5 pts) What year did the show open on Broadway?
4. (5 pts) What is the number of performances for its original Broadway run? If the show is still running, how many thus far (date of opening to the last date it played x 8
shows a week)?
5. (5 pts) Which type of musical is it? A “book musical” or a “musical revue”?
6. (5 pts) Synopsis of story (100-125 words. )
7. (20 pts) Socio-economic climate in our society at the time of the opening
Each of the following bullets needs to be answered:
The Social Climate is in regards to the country’s collective morality and beliefs. What and where did the majority of the population stand on important issues?
Were we a more conservative or progressive society as a whole?
Collective feelings about race? Give a specific example (i.e. laws, media representation, etc.).
Collective feelings about women’s rights? Give a specific example (i.e. laws, media
representation, etc.).
Collective feelings about LGBTQ rights? Give a specific example (i.e. laws, media
representation, etc.).
Were we overwhelmingly religious or leaning secular?
The Economic Climate is in regards to how our country was doing financially.
Were we in a recession or depression?
Were we experiencing an economic boom?
What were we manufacturing? Be specific (at least two different types of
products must be listed. Be specific about type, brand, etc.).
What was the price of staple items like milk and bread (at least two must be listed)?
What was the average cost of a house?
What was the average yearly family income?
A. (15 points) Why the musical was written and/or produced? Whose idea was it?
What made the composer, lyricist, producer, etc. want to create this particular musical?
Was their source material?
What was the impetus behind it?
B. (10 points) Did the musical make a social or political statement about the times in our world outside the musical? What is the comment it’s making? What is the message?
10. (15 pts) Were similar live musicals (not a movie musical) written and produced at the same time (within 5 years)?
