| There is nothing like a live performance of | | | | In 1957, Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics and |
| Broadway music. And today's shows include music | | | | Leonard Bernstein wrote the music for 'West Side |
| by contemporary and rock artists, as well as | | | | Story'. Since then, Sondheim has become the |
| revivals of the old favorites. | | | | best known Broadway composer of today, and |
| The first show to introduce the concept of | | | | has written shows like 'Company', 'Sweeney |
| musical theater was called 'The Black Crook'. It | | | | Todd', 'Sunday in the Park with George, |
| was five hours long and it ran for nearly five | | | | 'Assassins', and 'The Frogs'. |
| hundred performances, beginning in September of | | | | Cabaret performers, popular vocalists and |
| 1866 in New York City. | | | | superstars have recorded Sondheim's music. |
| It wasn't really a musical as we know them | | | | Singers like Barbra Streisand, Barbara Cook, |
| today, but it did introduce the idea of music with | | | | Mandy Patinkin and many more respect and |
| a storyline or plot of a play. | | | | admire his musical compositions and sing them |
| During the 1800s and early 1900s most musicals | | | | frequently. |
| like musical reviews where singers would sing one | | | | In recent decades, rock operas and musicals like |
| song after another, without any story or book. | | | | 'Hair', 'Cats', 'Wicked' and 'Rent', have reinvented |
| But 'Show Boat' changed all that. It opened in | | | | the music of Broadway. |
| December of 1927, at the Ziegfeld Theater. | | | | Disney revitalized the Times Square district and |
| The music for this show was integrated into the | | | | brought new musicals to Broadway that were |
| story, and music was scattered throughout the | | | | based on animated films like 'The Lion King', and |
| play, with songs and lyrics about the characters | | | | 'Beauty and the Beast'. |
| and story. | | | | In recent years, contemporary composers like |
| The show ran for over 500 performances in a | | | | Billy Joel and others have brought the Juke Box |
| theater owned by the famous Flo Ziegfeld whose | | | | Musical craze to a fever pitch, spawning shows |
| previous shows included lots of music and lavish | | | | like 'Movin' Out, the 'Jersey Boys', 'Mama Mia', and |
| costumes and choreography but no plot. | | | | more. |
| 'Porgy and Bess' opened in 1935, with music | | | | The Broadway musical of today has something |
| written by George Gershwin, Songs like | | | | for everyone. Teenagers, children and adults alike |
| 'Summertime', and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', | | | | flock to musicals to enjoy performances and sing |
| became instant standards and the show broke | | | | along. |
| the color barrier for Broadway musicals. | | | | If you are not yet a fan of the Broadway musical |
| 'Oklahoma' opened in 1943 at the St. James | | | | tradition, get to New York and spend a week |
| Theater (the same theater that today houses the | | | | seeing the newest musical shows Broadway |
| Broadway hit musical, 'The Producers'). | | | | offers. |
| Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the music for | | | | If you are already a Broadway musical fan, jump |
| 'Oklahoma', and also contributed to 'Show Boat'. | | | | on your favorite CD web site or pick up a |
| Today, the music from 'Oklahoma' is well-known | | | | newspaper to discover the newest musical shows |
| all over the world and the show is a class that is | | | | and cast recordings. |
| revived in community and regional theater groups | | | | With recent revivals of the breath-taking 'Jacques |
| all over the country. | | | | Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris', and new |
| The musical 'Guys and Dolls' was first staged in | | | | musicals like 'The Light in the Piazza' by Adam |
| 1950, with music written by Frank Loesser, and | | | | Guettel, the Broadway music of today satisfies |
| songs like 'Luck Be a Lady'. It was sharp, romantic | | | | every taste. |
| and diverse in its musical style. | | | | |