When Did Contemporary Musical Theatre Begin?
Musicals have been around since the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that a new form of musical theatre emerged. This new style is known as contemporary musical theatre, and it is characterized by an eclectic mix of music and dance styles, as well as an exploration of more complex themes.
The first popular contemporary musical was West Side Story, which premiered in 1957. This show combined elements of ballet, jazz, and classical music to tell the story of two rival gangs in New York City. The show’s success ushered in a new era for musical theatre, with more shows exploring serious issues such as racism, poverty, and violence.
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, which debuted in 1967, was another important milestone in contemporary musical theatre. This show focused on the counterculture movement of the 1960s and explored issues such as drug use, sexuality, and anti-war sentiment. Its success paved the way for other shows that pushed boundaries with their topics and styles.
A Chorus Line, which opened in 1975, set a new standard for modern musicals by focusing on the lives of behind-the-scenes performers rather than traditional stories or characters. It also embraced jazz influences and featured a score that blended various styles together to create something unique.
The 1980s saw a surge in the popularity of contemporary musical theatre with shows such as Cats, Les Misérables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Miss Saigon, and many more becoming huge hits both on Broadway and around the world. These shows incorporated elements from opera, rock music, pop music, jazz music, classical music, folk music and more to create something truly unique.
Today’s contemporary musicals continue to push boundaries while staying true to their roots. From classic story lines to modern twists on classic tales – there is something for everyone within this ever-evolving art form.
In conclusion, contemporary musical theatre began to emerge during mid-1900s with West Side Story paving the way for further exploration into serious topics through theatrical expression combined with an eclectic mix of music and dance styles. Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical further pushed boundaries by exploring counterculture themes while A Chorus Line widened its scope towards behind-the-scenes performers rather than traditional characters or plotlines. The 1980s saw a surge in popularity for these types of shows which still remain popular today thanks to its ability to push boundaries while staying true to its roots through various forms of music from classical opera to modern pop songs – there truly is something for everyone within this ever-evolving art form!