Abstract This paper takes a look at the changes that Broadway, as a physical place, as well as a genre, has undergone since its inception, in an attempt to understand why modern Broadway musicals are not doing as well as they had in earlier years. The paper concludes that the diminishing popularity of Broadway today is due to both financial reasons and audience-motivated reasons.
From the Paper "Currently, according to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, at least one fourth of the 30 million visitors to New York each year still come to see a Broadway play (Kroll 64), making it one of the top reasons tourists travel to New York. However, while there indeed seems to be a resurgence of interest in Broadway, there is a great disparity in profits for older musicals and revivals of shows from earlier decades and the more current modern musicals."
Abstract In this paper, the author argues that, contrary to what is often assumed, Broadway has become more populist, not less. The author argues that, in spite of the spiraling cost of tickets to Broadway shows, the shows pander to the least demanding, most pedestrian of artistic sensibilities.
From the Paper "It might be logical to surmise that because Broadway ticket prices have reached the dizzying heights of, say, tickets for major league baseball and football's better seats-in the neighborhood of $100 a ticket-the Broadway stage is becoming less populist, pricing theatergoers out of the velveteen seats. However, the opposite is closer to the truth. The higher those ticket prices go, the more populist the Broadway theater becomes."
Tags: populist, disney, studios, celine, dion, new, york, city, east, forties, feeder, houses
The paper analyzes the role the reference guide, Playbill, has played in Broadway's history, focusing specifically on the musical "Showboat" and its accompanying Playbill.
Abstract The paper explains the nature of a Playbill, a kind of reference guide to the show of the evening, summing up the cast list, the cast biographies, and also giving theatergoers a bit of advice about places to go in New York before and after the show. The paper examines the role the playbill plays in encapsulating the consumerist, capitalist nature of Broadway theater. It also explores the influence wielded by Showboat's playbill.
From the Paper " ?Show Boat,? originally produced in 1926, and later revived at the Gershwin theater in 1994, has often been called the first modern Broadway musical. The image on the cover of the show's Playbill during its most recent incarnation on Broadway is a sentimental picture of a turn of the century family of three waving at a large, smoking Riverboat show boat ship. This Playbill artifact encapsulates, perhaps more than any other example of the modern, New York Broadway theatre, the nature of Broadway's form of theatrical, musical entertainment. The Playbill is a nostalgic commodity that reduces the show to a singular theme, and attempts to encapsulate within its covers, in as non-threatening a fashion as possible, the nature of a show that has proved disturbing to many viewers."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the differences between two Broadway productions, their film counterparts, and cultures within which they were released. The writer first discusses 'Kiss Me, Kate' opening on Broadway in 1948 and opening on film in 1953 during the "Leave it to Beaver" baby-boom era of post-World War II. The writer then looks at 'Rent' that opened in 1996 and 2005. The writer maintains that what makes musicals on film different from their stage versions is the time constraints, censors, audience and directorial choice. The writer concludes that the way in which a musical is portrayed on film is a mirror onto current cultural, social, and political atmospheres.
Outline:
Then and Now
Kiss Me, Kate
Rent
Conclusion
From the Paper "It is first sung by Lily in her dressing room admitting that she is still in love with Fred and always will be. This is her soliloquy, a very passionate and intimate moment. In the second act, Fred also sings the same song after Lily has left him alone backstage. These soliloquy songs pull the audience into the minds of the characters; the audience can feel their desire. In the film, however, the song is changed to a duet between Fred and Lily, but as a song intended for the play within the play or film in this case. Though the audience can see the tension and awkwardness between the two characters, they do not feel their desire and love for each other."
Abstract The musical was long a Hollywood staple, a genre that was used year after year. After the 1960s, however, the film musical all but disappeared, though it continued in a modified form as a Broadway staple, just as it had been throughout this century.
From the Paper "The musical was long a Hollywood staple, a genre that was used year after year. After the 1960s, however, the film musical all but disappeared, though it continued in a modified form as a Broadway staple, just as it had been throughout this century. Imitation drives the motion picture industry as it seeks material for films, but it also drives Broadway to a great extent. Broadway and Hollywood have taken turns in recent years in originating material which would then be taken over by the other so that stage plays like Grease and Evita are adapted to film, while recent films such as The Lion King and older films such as Sunset Boulevard have been adapted to the stage. Hollywood and Broadway have in many instances in recent years combined forces to develop material for the screen that would also be valuable on stage, or for the stage that would be worthwhile as a film. The ..."
Abstract Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical, "Cats", has consistently intrigued audiences. This essay examines the specifics of the brilliant use of the entire theater for the experience and concludes that this is the factor that contributed to the show's worldwide success.
Abstract This paper studies the works of Charles Busch, one of America's more well-known satirists and comedic playwrights. The paper begins with a review and critique of Busch's most recent production, "A Tale of the Allergist's Wife". The paper discusses the play's plot and development, as well as the actors, directors and producers associated with it and awards that it has won. The paper then compares "Allergist's Wife" to Busch's other works, including the play "Woman of the Year" and his writing for the HBO show "Oz". The last section of the paper discusses Busch's career rise and the parallel shift in American society, which can now embrace such an author and his "edgy" themes.
Outline
Thesis Statement
"A Tale of the Allergist's Wife"
Busch's Other Works by Way of Comparison
Further Contrasts and Comparisons
From the Paper "Busch's play chronicles the spiritual turmoil of Marjorie Taub - brilliantly acted by the veteran comedy and quite often serious actress Linda Lavin - a middle-aged Upper West Side wife and confidant to her Allergist husband - and others as the play delightfully exposes - and how her life changes when a former friend from her past suddenly appears on her doorstep. This is a wonderfully delicious and quite devious social satire that is filled with the wicked fun and delightful surprises one has come to expect from Busch works."
Abstract This paper examines how Class Act's revenue from an agreement with Broadway Venues could be realized. It explores the background of the situation and alternatives. It also recommends an accrual method of recognizing the revenue.
From the Paper "Companies regularly enter into business agreements where payments are made over a period of time. Such agreements can take the form of leases where the payments are regular and made over a long-period of time or ..."
Abstract This paper considers the definition of literacy in divergent examples, specifically in regards to the Amish, a Broadway play, and a University Academic Integrity committee. The paper outlines the complexity of defining and applying concepts of literacy by reviewing three representative texts describing different approaches to literacy in these three communities.
From the Paper "Literacy is a seemingly simple concept that, upon close inspection, has many interpretations. On a base level it indicates the ability to read and write and could therefore be viewed as a value-neutral process in which people learn a tool that they can then use to gather or produce written communication. However, once one begins to consider what literacy means in different cultural contexts, the concept takes on a level of complexity that suggests learning to communicate is influenced by class distinctions, religious beliefs, personal integrity, and many other factors. This paper will consider the concept of literacy through the prisms of what it means to three different communities: an Old Order Amish community, a University Academic Discipline Committee and the New York literati as regarding a play produced on Broadway."
Abstract The paper describes the many accomplishments of Oprah Winfrey that include being a billionaire, an Oscar-nominated actress, a Broadway producer, one who changed the face of daytime television and has brought giving to reality television competitions. The paper shows how Oprah's multi-media success is unprecedented and the fact that she is female and an African-American only make her success more remarkable.
From the Paper "Whether one is a supporter or a detractor of Oprah Winfrey, it is difficult to ignore the fact that she has had a tremendous impact on the mass media in the United States. She is probably the most-recognized television personality, and is certainly the most recognized African-American celebrity in American history. She is a billionaire, the head of media conglomerate, in addition to being an Oscar-nominated actress, "activist, magazine editor, producer, book club sponsor, and radio host." (People). Oprah's success changed the face of daytime television, transforming the talk show format into a forum for serious discussions, both on her own show and with her creation of the Dr. Phil show."
Tags: television, Broadway, philanthropy, literature
Abstract The paper explores why the Tony Awards were named after Antoinette Perry and who exactly Antoinette Perry was. The paper discusses how these questions are often not mentioned when people talk about the Tony Awards, but there are many reasons that the Tony Awards were named after Antoinette Perry. The paper examines how the life and works of Tony Antoinette Perry affected Broadway, the lives of many GIs, actresses and actors and many others. The paper relates that the way to show the appreciation for all that Tony Antoinette had done for Broadway was to name the Tony Awards after her.
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses ethical responsibilities in the workplace and examines how this subject is portrayed in various films. For this purpose, the writer studies the following movies: "Broadway Danny Rose", "The Conversation", "The Hospital" and "Things Change" . The writer points out that if one does not strive to live according to one's personal sense of morality, then one is likely to be haunted by one's own sense of moral inferiority. The writer concludes that "Broadway Danny Rose" and "Things Change" show that taking on more responsibility than one can handle might be dangerous, but the humor of the first film and the compassion of the second film in comparison with the brutal misery of the lives of the characters of "The Conversation" and "The Hospital," make the risks of Danny and Jerry seem like blessings in comparison.
From the Paper "The Conversation" as directed by Francis Ford Coppola, depicts a man who might not seem to be a conventionally responsible individual even in his personal life. Harry Caul has no family ties. He lives entirely alone, in a small apartment in a city where he seems to know no one other than the persons he works for as a spy. Yet despite the potentially immoral nature of occupation, that a professional surveillance expert, Harry becomes haunted by a sense of moral responsibility for the consequences of listening to other person's conversations."
"The film begins after Harry has left the East Coast because his wiretapping caused the death of three people. Although Harry was just doing his job, and did not want to hurt these people, these individuals died as an unintended consequence of Harry's actions. Harry cannot even bear to confess the action to a priest, even though his evident loneliness conveyed by the starkness of his dwelling-place and his monotonous routine makes him seem haunted by guilt in the eyes of the viewer."
Abstract This paper examines, in brief, the state of life in the U.S. in the 20's and then applies this information to the creation, publication, and ensuing scandal related to March's controversial book-length poem, "The Wild Party" (now the inspiration behind two major Broadway musicals). The paper is divided up by subheadings: Art, Literature, Music, Fashion, Recreation. Perfect both as a historical summary of the time period as well as a well-written and focused paper concerning this particular piece of poetry.
Tags: censorship, history, joseph, march, moncure, prohibition, sex, states, united
Abstract A paper on the late musical composer Jonathan Larson. The author examines Larson's early life as an up-and-coming music writer, his struggles with friends, family, finances and college life, his triumphant success of the play "Rent" and his sudden death.
From the Paper "These are the lyrics that appear in Seasons of Love, the song which opens the second act of Jonathan Larson's Rent. The message to the listener is that it is not how many years you live, but how you shape the time you spend here on earth. These words which help define the controversy and characters of the rock opera, also help define Larson's life goal to reinvent American musical theater and his personal goal to live life to the fullest."
