BWW history lesson? Let's not forget...

[BWAYLeaks]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 10:11am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/A-Musical-History-Lesson-America-101-20170704

 

I was disappointed by some omissions from this list, and wanted to take the opportunity to highlight some of the less favorable (and often forgotten / ignored) parts of our American history that we've explored in the theatre. When we can embrace some of the darker chapters of our American history, and come to terms with it, we can better understand ourselves as Americans and strive to do better.

Here are just a few omissions I wish I saw on this list. Please feel free to add to this list on this thread. 

 

COME FROM AWAY - I was actually shocked this didn't make the list! Yes, most of the piece takes place in Gander. But certainly 9/11 is a significant part of our American history, and the way this show handles this difficult subject matter is masterful. 

ALLEGIANCE - This forgotten chapter of American history, when we wrongly imprisoned hundreds of thousands of Japanese-Americans in internment camps was sadly forgotten on this list.

FROST NIXON - This fascinating play has a particular poignance and relevance today, with the frequent headlines of Trump's declining presidency, signaling that history might just repeat itself. (Frank Rich recently wrote a great article about this!)

 

 

 

 

[JennH]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 10:15am

If it consoles you, Playbill did a similar thing, and CFA and Allegiance were added. Frost/Nixon should certainly be there, but honestly...it's ONE article on a website based on someone's opinion. I don't hold that weight to it, because in the giant scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. A year from now, we won't remember this article exists. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 10:55am

And wasn't Frost/Nixon a PLAY?  This is a list of musicals, yes?

 

And yes, I can see the omission of Come From Away, while it has connection to US History, it is not exclusively an AMERICAN story.

(And maybe Allegiance wasn't on the list since it wasn't successful. For good reason, sorry to say.)

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 12:37pm

Any list is going to be problematic.  I was going to write the BWW list focused on "real" people to semi-justify the exclusion of Allegiance - but Ragtime only sort of focuses on real people and Hair not at all. (I don't know much about Civil War other than music was by Wildhorn)  Such a threshold would exclude Shenandoah, but not Benjamin Franklin in Paris - both of which are omitted.    And FDR has a scene in Annie not to mention a song about Herbert Hoover.  Then there is are "Zip"and "I'm Still Here" which reference numerous historical persons.  Fiorello!, Funny Girl and Unsinkable Molly Brown are "inspired" by real historical figures - although any resemblance to the truth is entirely coincidental.   

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 12:51pm

No Scottsboro Boys? 

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 2:04pm

About fifteen years ago, there was a musical produced in Pennsylvania called "Rivers of Destiny" about a young George Washington during the French and Indian War. I don't think it's stageable anymore because it was an environmental theatre production taking place at the battleground. According to the show's producers and a few original cast members they've tried to revive it, as it got pretty good reviews, but changes to the rules about historical landmarks have made it impossible to stage the show there again.

[CallMeAl2]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 11:26pm

Look, it's a list of musicals that tell you something about American History. That's the only standard it has to meet. Nobody is saying that these are the only musicals that depict American History, which your issue seems to infer.

So, make your own list. Free country.