Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists invented the Broadway Musical

· Bloomsbury Publishing
Ebook
456
Pages
Ratings and reviews aren’t verified  Learn More

About this ebook

A groundbreaking exploration that reveals the powerful impact of marginalized groups on the evolution of the Broadway Musical.

At the turn of the 20th century, immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African Americans faced exclusion from mainstream American society, with limited employment opportunities. They found their calling in the emerging field of "Show Business", particularly the burgeoning Broadway Musical. Their pioneering spirit not only seized this opportunity but also continued to shape and dominate the Broadway Musical for over a century, creating an art form that has deeply influenced American culture.

Throughout its history, the Broadway Musical has subtly and at times boldly championed human rights and liberal values, reflecting its creators' and performers' diverse backgrounds. Unlike previous works on musical theatre history, this book weaves these diverse threads into a comprehensive narrative, repositioning Black, Queer, and Women artists at the heart of the story, acknowledging their long-standing contributions often overlooked.

Broadway Nation is a valuable resource for both students and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this beloved American art form. Readers will gain profound insights into the history and transformation of the Broadway Musical over a span of more than a century. Additionally, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Lin Manuel-Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon.

About the author

David Armstrong is the writer, producer, and host of Broadway Nation - the popular podcast that tells the remarkable story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African Americans, Women, and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical and how they changed America in the process. With more than 100 episodes to date, Broadway Nation has reached an audience of more than 135,000 listeners. This podcast was inspired by the popular large lecture course (100 students each quarter) that Armstrong teaches at the University of Washington School of Drama which is titled 'The Broadway Musical'. During his 40-year career Armstrong has worked as a director, producer, playwright, and choreographer at leading theatre companies across America as well as off and on Broadway. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as Artistic Director & Executive Producer. During his tenure The 5th produced 19 new musicals, nine of which subsequently moved to Broadway including Disney's Aladdin, A Christmas Story - The Musical, and the Tony Award winning “Best Musicals” Hairspray and Memphis.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.