American Musicals: 2000 to 2007 (Essay Sample)

Name: Professor: Course: Date: American Musicals: 2000 to 2007Introduction American musicals are defined as the fusion of songs, spoken dialogue, dance, and visual elements. They form an essential element in American popular culture particularly because they are a form of expressing key political and social themes that shape our day-to-day experiences as American’s. Musicals are everywhere in the United States and are performed often by professionals and amateur theatre groups. Over the past few years, musicals have increased its availability to reach larger audience particularly through film performances by major stars such as Mathew Broderick, Kevin Kline, among others. today, some of the most popular TV shows have paid homage to the American musical; memorable episodes whereby production members and lead characters sing and dance. Generally, musicals are a living genre and whose history is first developing. There have been several American musicals between 2000 and 2007. Musicals of 2000 to 2007 Musicals come in different types and include books, revue, jukebox, film concept, and pop musicals. Some of the most popular musicals of the 2000 were A Class Act, Bare: A Pop Opera, Seussical, The Beautiful Game, The Full Monty, The Immigrant, The Wild Party (LaChiusa), The Wild Party (Lippa), and The Witches of Eastwick. Each of these musicals played a significant role in the 2000s. for example, the Bare: A Pop Opera was a pulsating rock musical that followed a group of students through college while exploring critical issues such as identity, sexuality, and the future (Asimenou 6). The Immigrant musical explores the topic of immigration where a Jewish man named Haskell has escaped the pogroms in Eastern Europe. While in US there is an attempted assimilation into American culture and society. as the only Jewish person the musical explores the challenges such as hostility and hardship while trying to assimilate into a new society. another musical, The Wild Party, explores the life of youths in the 2000s. students sought entertainment and enjoyment and through which issues such as drug and substance abuse are brought forward. In 2001, the most popular musicals were Closer to Heaven, Jerry Springer: The Opera, The Last Five Years, The Marvellous Wonderettes, The Producers, The Spitfire Grill, The Visit, Tick, Tick… Boom!, and Urinetown. Specifically, musical such as the Urinetown passed strong messages during the time. As a satirical comedy characterized with music by Mark Hollman and the book by Kotis, the musical satirized crucial topics in the US at the time including bureaucracy, social irresponsibility, skewed legal system, corporate mismanagement, and politics (Vandevender 393). The Spitfire Grill is another heart-warming musical tale on perseverance, redemption, and family. All these other musical explored key topic ranging from terrorism, racism, family, peace, among others. The year 2002, A Man of No Importance, A Year With Frog and Toad, Bombay Dreams, Chitty Bang Bang, Debbie Does Dallas, Hairspray, Harlem Song, Moving’ Out, Sweet Smell of Success, Taboo, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and We Will Rock You (Hillman-McCord). The musical, A Year with Frog and Toad tells a story of two friends and follows the characters throughout their seasons. From the musical, the two friends rejoice in the differences that make them special and unique. We Will Rock with You on the other hand, explores a group of Bohemians struggling to restore a free exchange of thought and fashion. More so, in 2004 came with musicals such as A Little Princess, Dracula, Brooklyn, Desperate Measures, Dirty Dancing, Mary Poppins, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, White Christmas, and The Woman in White. The musical the woman in white stood out during this time specifically because it addressed compelling issues such as love, betrayal, and greed. In the year, 2005 was another year with musicals such as All Shook Up, Altar Boys, Dessa Rose, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Scandalous, Little Woman, Spamalot, The Color Purple, Yank! and The Light in the Piazza taking a center stage (McMillin). Musicals such as The Color Purple tell the story of finding strength and power to overcome adversity. In 2006, we hand musicals such as the Chaplin, Dear Edwina, Curtains, Dusty – The Original Pop Diva, Grey Gardens, Finding Nemo, Here lies love, High school musical, High fidelity, Hot feet, I love you because, My Son Pinocchio, Tarzan, The Wedding Singer, The Story of My life, Sister Act, Ring of Fire, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Title of Show (Vandevender 393). The Story of My Life as a musical gives tribute to the power of togetherness and friendship especially to those people who come in and change our lives forever. Finally, in 2007 we Cry-Baby, A Catered Affair, The Little Mermaid, The Pirate Queen, Xanadu, LoveMusik, and Young Frankenstein cut across US. Most of the 2007 musical explored the romance and love. At this era love, friendship, and unity was...