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Race in American Musical Theater

Josephine Lee author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published:27th Jul '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Race in American Musical Theater cover

A concise and up-to-date introduction to the topic of racial representation in American musical theatre production.

While most discussions of race in American theater emphasize the representation of race mainly in terms of character, plot, and action, Race in American Musical Theater highlights elements of theatrical production and reception that are particular to musical theater. Examining how race functions through the recurrence of particular racial stereotypes and storylines, this introductory volume also looks at casting practices, the history of the chorus line, and the popularity of recent shows such as Hamilton. Moving from key examples such as Show Boat! and South Pacific through to all-Black musicals such as Dreamgirls, Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, and Jelly’s Last Jam, this concise study serves as a critical survey of how race is presented in the American musical theater canon. Providing readers with historical background, a range of case studies and models of critical analysis, this foundational book prompts questions from how stereotypes persist to “who tells your story?”

Highlights the ways in which the genre has variously reflected, explored, combated, and even exacerbated the processes and effects of marginalization ... Highly useful in courses designed to examine the sociopolitical dimensions of musical theatre and to those performing dramaturgical work on specific musicals dealing with race … Well-rounded and informative. [The volume] will spur the beginning or intermediate musical theatre student or aficionado, or theatre practitioner, to deeper exploration and, perhaps, to new understanding. -- Dennis Sloan * Theatre Topics *

ISBN: 9781350248212

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

120 pages