First musical to open on Broadway???
First musical to open on Broadway???
#0First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 5:22pmHrmm.. I have no clue.. anyone know???
#1re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 5:35pmWatch the PBS documentary BROADWAY - THE AMERICAN MUSICAL which is available on DVD and VHS.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#2re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 5:46pmIsn't it THE BLACK CROOK (At least that's the first musical I've learned about in Theatre History class)?
Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!
Hank
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#3re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 6:16pm
Musicals just kind of evolved from vaudeville, Zigfield Follies, and so on. They were for the most part reviews.
At some point, a storyline (book) was added to a collection of songs and dances, and eventually, this this all occured in the Broadway theatre district.
OK, this is about as much as I know about theatre history, never having studied the subject formally, but I'm eager to learn too. Any experts out there?
#4re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 6:26pmhttp://www.musicals101.com/erastage.htm
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toodramatic
Stand-by Joined: 12/29/04
#5re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 6:29pm
short answer: Most people like to say "The Black Crook" which opened in 1865 (I think), but with an art form like Musical theatre that is a desendant of countless other art forms its hard for anyone to put their finger on what was the first show that could be called a muscial.
better answer: Go watch Watch the PBS documentary BROADWAY - THE AMERICAN MUSICAL like capnhook said.
#6re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 6:37pmTHE BLACK CROOK opened in 1866 at a theatre called (I believe) Niblo's Garden.
Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#7re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 7:43pmCoincidentally, the PBS Broadway - American Musical special was on last night. The first two parts, anyway.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#8re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 10:20pmThe current Broadway/Times Square theatre district didn't exist until around the turn of the century. The earliest theatres in NYC were built in Greenwich Villiagearound the 1820's. The "theatre district" kept moving north throughout the century. "Niblo's Garden" was most likely somewhere between 14th and 28th Street, near 7th or Broadway.
theatrebabe
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/22/05
#9re: First musical to open on Broadway???
Posted: 9/1/05 at 10:22pmthat's a great DVD,You should watch even if you have the answer to your question.
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