When Did Musical Theatre Become Popular?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Musical theatre has been around for centuries, with roots in classical Greek theatre and the traditional Italian opera. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that musical theatre became popular in the Western world.

The first musical to be performed on Broadway was The Black Crook, which opened in 1866. Although it was a hit with audiences, its success was short-lived and musicals didn’t become popular until the early 1900s.

A major turning point came in 1927 with the opening of Show Boat, which featured a story that revolved around music and dance. This show set a precedent for many other musicals to follow and ushered in a new era of musical theatre.

The advent of sound film in 1927 also had a huge impact on the popularity of musicals. Movies such as The Jazz Singer and 42nd Street were hugely successful, inspiring an influx of movie-musicals such as Singin’ In The Rain, An American In Paris and West Side Story in the 1950s and 60s. These movies brought musical theatre to a wider audience than ever before and helped to establish it as an art form.

Musical theatre continued to gain popularity throughout the 20th century thanks to iconic shows such as Cats and Les Miserables. Today, there are countless Broadway shows and touring productions that are enjoyed by audiences all over the world.

In conclusion, musical theatre has been popular for centuries but reached its peak during the 20th century thanks to iconic shows such as Show Boat, The Jazz Singer, 42nd Street and Cats. This art form continues to capture hearts today with its universal themes of love, hope and redemption that transcend time and cultures alike.
When Did Musical Theatre Become Popular?
Musical theatre first gained traction during the mid-19th century with The Black Crook but reached its peak during the 20th century thanks to iconic shows such as Show Boat, The Jazz Singer, 42nd Street and Cats and continues to captivate audiences today with its timeless themes of love, hope and redemption.