NYU/Steinhardt - Music
Theatre History II
Class Assignments for Spring Semester 2012
Lecturer: John Kenrick
With the exception of our first class, students are expected to
read or view the required materials for each week beforehand. On the
assigned day, be prepared for active discussion, as well as oral and
possible pop written quizzes on these materials.
- Reading assignments use the page numbers from the hardcover
edition of my textbook.
- If you have any questions regarding these assignments, please
contact John Kenrick: bwayman08@yahoo.com.
- Optional items are exactly
that, not required, but material that can enrich your
learning experience..
- For More suggests worthwhile
reading for anyone interested in doing further research. These are not
required materials -- just listed in case a particular subject grabs
you..
- Exam dates are noted in red.
- All take home exams MUST be
submitted personally IN CLASS.
Email submissions will not be accepted.
- The course syllabus is posted at www.musicals101.com/nyusem2syll.htm
Week 1 (1/27)
1930s-Early 40s: Something is Stirring
- Required: Kenrick: pp. 207-237
- Required: Kantor/Maslin: pp. 129-189
- Optional: Musicals101 - 1930s Part 1,
1930s Part
2, 1930s Part
3, 1930s Part
4
- Optional: Bordman - "Act
Five: The American Musical as a Conscious Art Form"
- For More: Jablonski, Edward. Gershwin:
A Biography. New York: Doubleday, 1987. There are many books
on George Gershwin, but this is the best to date. Comprehensive,
intelligent, and frank.
- For More: Rosenberg,
Deena. Fascinating Rhythm: The Collaboration of George and Ira
Gershwin. London: Lime Tree, 1991. One of the few books to
examine the collaboration between lyricist and composer. Based on
extensive interviews with Ira, it includes a remarkable selection of
photos.
Week 2 (2/3)
Rodgers & Hammerstein: Oklahoma &
Beyond
- Required: Kenrick: pp. 238-251
- For More: Musicals101 - 1940s Part 1,
1940s Part
2, 1940s Part
3, 1940s Part
4
- For More: Wilk,
Max. OK! The Story of Oklahoma! New York: Grove Press, 1993. A
detailed and fascinating look back at the gestation of Rodgers and
Hammerstein's landmark hit. Packed with anecdotes and photos.
- For More: Mordden,
Ethan. Beautiful Morning: The Broadway Musical in the 1940s.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Week 3 (2/10)
After R&H: Broadway's Golden Age
- Required: Kenrick: pp. 251-264
- For More: Musicals101 - 1950s Part 1,
1950s Part
2
- For More: Mordden,
Ethan. Coming Up Roses: The Broadway Musical in the 1950s.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Week 4 (2/17)
Anatomy of a Hit: My Fair Lady
Week 5 (2/24)
Career in Profile: Ethel Merman
Week 6 (3/2)
Directors: Abbott, Robbins, Fosse
Your Take Home Mid-Term will
be distributed in this class
- Required: Kenrick: pp. 265-292
- Required: Kantor/Maslin: pp.191-277
- For More: Musicals101 - 1950s Part
3
Week 7 (3/9)
More Golden Age Musicals
(Mid-Term Exam Due IN CLASS)
- No reading assignment for this week
SPRING BREAK 3/16
Week 8 (3/23)
1960s: The Parade Passes By
- Required: Kenrick: pp. 298-317
- Required:
Kantor/Maslin: pp. 282-283
- For More:
Musicals101 - 1960s Part 1, 1960s Part
2, 1960s Part
3
- Optional: Bordman -
"Intermission: Exhaustion 1965-1969"
- For More: Mordden,
Ethan. Open a New Window: The Broadway Musical in the 1960s.
New York: Palgrave/St. Martin's Press, 2001.
Week 9 (3/30)
Sondheim & Prince: Worlds To Change
-
Required: Kenrick: pp. 325-329
-
For More: Musicals101 - 1970s Part
1, 1970s Part
2, 1970s Part
3, 1970s Part
4
-
For More: Hirsch, Foster. Harold
Prince and the American Musical Theater. New York: Oxford
University Press, 1989. A detailed look at Prince's directorial
work up to Phantom of the Opera. Hirsch makes some
ill-advised points, but there are plenty of useful facts and
observations along the way for serious students of these works.
-
For More: Zadan,
Craig. Sondheim & Co. New York: Harper & Row, 1974
(Second updated edition, 1986). A fascinating behind the scenes
look at how Sondheim's shows were created, with great photos and
some reflective insights from Mr. Sondheim.
Week 10 (4/6 - Yes, we have
class on Good Friday)
1970s: The Main Stem Becomes a Side Street
-
Required: Kenrick: pp. 318-325, 330-341
-
Required: Kantor/Maslin: pp. 279-371
-
For More: Musicals101 - 1970s Part
5, 1980s Part 1
-
Optional: Those who wish to
may view the original cast video of A Chorus Line on file at
Lincoln Center Library's Theatre on Film Archive.
-
For More: See the Musicals101 A
Chorus Line bibliography.
-
For More: Mordden,
Ethan. One More Kiss: The Broadway Musical in the 1970s. New
York: Palgrave for St. Martin's Press, 2003.
Week 11 (4/13)
1980s: Mega-musicals
Week 12 (4/20)
1990s: Who's the Leader of the Club?
-
Required: Kenrick: 358-369
-
For More: Musicals101 - 1990s Part 1,
1990s Part
2
-
For More: Mordden,
Ethan. The Happiest Corpse I've Ever Seen: The Last 25 Years of
the Broadway Musical. New York: Palgrave for St. Martin's Press,
2004. I strongly disagree with many of the opinions expressed in
this book, but Mordden's wit and passion make for absorbing reading.
Week 13 (4/27)
Nowadays: Jukebox Jive, Cartoon
Candy
Your Take Home Final will be
distributed during this class
-
Required: Kenrick: pp. 370-382
-
Required:
Kantor/Maslin: pp.373-440
-
For More:
Musicals101 - 2000s
Week 14 (5/4)
The Future?
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