Chicago Gangs :: Gang Essays

From the late 1800s up through the present date, musical theater has changed. Though tradition and love for the theater will always be carried on, origins, trends, and styles will change throughout time.The American musical was born long before European operetta crossed the Atlantic. In The American Musical Stage Before 1800. Julian Mates tells us that Americas early theatres were essenti completelyy lyric theatresIn America, no earlier dramatic forms existed, and the musical stage became our only tradition (musicals101.com). During Americas first hundred years, the favorite musical entertainments during the time were conformation musical shows. In the 1860s and 70s, Pantomime was a the main Broadway staple. In these types of shows, clown characters were taken and placed in plots based on mother Goose stories. Also seen was the insertion of popular songs whenever the audience needed a breather. The Pantomime form disappeared completely from American stages by 1880.From 1879 unti l 1884 the variety team of Edward Harrigan and Tony hart produced and performed in musical farces set on the streets of New York. The main focus of the shows was on lower class immigrant life, depicting real-life problems as interracial tensions, political corruptness and gang violence. Harrigan and Hart are best known as the creators of musical comedy. They made these problems into harmless humor. Harrigan and Harts shows had scores in the style of modern popular music with simple melodies and lyrics, lots of sentiment and a wry sense of street-smart humor (musicals 101.com).In 1878, Gilbert and Sullivans HMS Pinafore premiered in the linked States. Their arrival sparked an overwhelming response from the people, the craze that was, was known as Pinafore-Mania. The songs that were sung in the show became the language of the people, and became part of anyday conversation. Even though it seemed all was good, some were not pleased and happy with the two invaders. In the century si nce Gilbert and Sullivan, people on both sides of the Atlantic have bitched about invasions coming from the other side. America and Britain have continually sent each other their best shows for over a hundred years. If the balance tilts a bit every now and then, no matter it will shift again (musical 101.com). With the growth of the American cities and with the Industrial Revolution going on, the theater-fans were becoming more sophisticated. With this, the homegrown musical entertainment, due to the success of Gilbert and Sullivan, looked second rate.