Musical Theatre: A History
Suggested Web Videos
Page 1: Chapters 1 Thru 7
Edited by John Kenrick
These videos are suggested accompaniments to my book
Musical Theatre A History (2nd Edition 2017).
Because videos posted on the web come and go without notice, I
apologize for any links here that may suddenly lead nowhere. Please let
me know if you encounter any problems and I will update the page.
These pages are under construction and will be completed by the first week in October 2017. Thanks for your patience!
- 1. Definitions & Beginnings - Antiquity to Ballad Opera
- 2. Continental Operetta - Offenbach & Strauss
- 3. Music Halls & Minstrelsy
- 4. Early American Explorations
- 5. Gilbert & Sullivan
- 6. Vaudeville & Burlesque
- 7. Anatomy of a Hit: The Merry Widow
1. Definitions & Beginnings - Antiquity to Ballad Opera
- Introduction the Greek Theatre - A Discovery Channel documentary offered this insightful look at the birth of musical theater
- "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Sondheim and his collaborators used characters and plot devices from ancient Roman comedies to create a modern musical hit. This performance was part of a 2010 BBC Proms concert.
- Commedia del arte - This 1976 production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew was staged with all the raucous slapstick of classic comedia.Marc Singer and Fredi Olster play the leads.
- "To Anacreon in Heaven" - Since colonial times, Americans have loved barrom ballads. This British tune was so popular that Francis Scott Key used it to frame his Star Spangled Banner, which the the United States adopted as its national anthem in 1931.
- The Beggar's Opera - This raunchy song was a show stopper in 1728. Here is a fine recording with photo collage and helpful subtitles. You can find videos of the complete Beggar's Opera on Youtube.
2. Continental Operetta - Offenbach & Strauss
- The Gallop Infernal/Cancan from Offenbach's Orphee aux Enfers - This catchy dance from Offenbach's first full scale operetta has been one of the world's most familiar melodies since 1858.
- Shoprite's Can Can Sale - This ad for an American supermarket chain (for their annual sale of canned goods) is just one example of how this tune is still very much in use after 160 years.
-
"Ah que j'aime les militaires" from Offenbach's Grand Duchesse de Gerolstein depicts a petty monarch leading her nation into a needless war simply to find sexy new prospects among the recruits.
- Die Fledermaus Comic Trio by Johann Strauss - A businessman headed to jail, his neglected wife and his scheming housemaid have all been seperately invited to a fabulous party, and can hardly keep their secret from each other. Even without subtitles, a delight.
- "Mein Herr Marquis" from Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus - Strauss came up with a laughing melody to fit this giddy lyric, performed with relish by Edita Gruberova at the Wiener Staatsoper in 1990.
- "My Old Man" - This classic music hall song was introduced by Marie Lloyd, who is played by Jessie Wallace in a 2007 BBC documentary
- Music Hall Recreation - The BBC special The Good Old Days recreated the look, format and fun of old style British music halls. This is one of several clips on Youtube, and gives you some idea of the wide range of acts -- singers, comics, and more.
- "Me Ol' Bamboo" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang s a classic example of a modern musical invoking the subtle double meaning comedy of British Music Halls.
- "Oom Pah Pah" - Oliver takes places many years before the first music hall opened, but songwriter Lionel Bart made a music hall style number one of the highlights of his score. This is Shani Wallis in the acclaimed screen version.
- "Burlington Bertie" - In the 1968 film Star Julie Andrews performed this vintage music hall hit introduced by Vesta Tillie.
- "The Lambeth Walk" from Noel Gay's Me and My Girl -- This music hall style showstopper delighted wartorn London, and was still a delight when Robert Lindsay starred in the 1986 Broadway production.
- "La Cage Aux Folles" was set in the world of French revues, lavishly recreated in the 2005 Broadway revival starring Gary Beach and Robert Goulet.
4. Early American Explorations
- Barnum was a popular stage musical vaguely based on the life of showman P. T. Barnum. Michael Crawford starred in the London production. Here are the first scenes, and you can find the full production video on Youtube.
- The Black Crook took Broadway by storm in 1866. Here Leonard Bernstein discusses this bizarre show and presents its showstopper "Oh You Naughty, Naughty Men."
- Lillian Russell was a stage legend, but it was only in her declining years that she made her only recording (of her signature hit "My Ev'nin' Star") and her only silent film clip, combined here.
You can find a number of full length G&S production vdeos posted free on Youtube. Some outstanding highights:
- "The Judge's Song" from Trial by Jury - In Gilbert & Sullivan's first hit, they were already spoofing unqualified men in positions of power. The versatile Anthony Warlow is seen here in an Australian Opera production.
- "Never Mind the Why and Wherefore" from H.M.S. Pinafore - Three characters with very different agendas harmonize in this giddy showstopper. Anthony Warlow is the Captain in the Australian Opera production.
- "The Major General's Song" from Pirates of Penzance - One of the most beloved G&S patter songs performed by George Rose in the 1981 New York revival.
- "It Really Doesn't Matter" - This song from Ruddigore was inserted in the 1981 revival of Pirates, and later became a highlight in the stage version of Thoroughly Modern Millie. The Central Park cast featured Rex Smith, Patricia Routledge, and Kevin Kline.
- "With Cat Like Tread" from Pirates of Penzance - The 1981 New York revival amped up this classic G&S ensemble number, making it a rousing audience pleaser.
- "Little List" from The Mikado - Gilbert & Sullivan's most performed operetta includes a cheap tailor raised to high office because no one else wants the job. Who will the new Lord High Executioner dispose of? Eric Donkin appeared in this 1984 Canadian production that transferred to Broadway.
- "My Object All Sublime" from The Mikado - The Emperor of Japan celebrates his sadism in a now-beloved song that was almost cut before the show's opening night. Here is Gidon Sakes in the 1984 Canadian Stratford productio
- "Society Has Quite Forsaken" from Utopia Limited - G&S spoof British imperialism in this wicked take on the then-current minstrel show craze. This comes from a hansomely staged 2009 amateur Seattle production.
- Show Biz Bugs - Who would think a zany Warner Brother cartoon would provide a quick insightful look at what the lost world of vaudeville was like. Daffy Duck finally steals the show from the more popular Bugs Bunny -- but at what price?
- Vaudeville Medley from Easter Parade - Irving Berlin's songs were vaudeville favorites, but never sounded better than when performed by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.
- The Nicholas Brothers were one of the best dance acts in vaudeville. In this clip from the film Stormy Weather Fayard and Harold Nicholas get an assist from Cab Calloway -- but its all about seeing some amazing tap wizardry.
- Hadji Ali - Anything that could divert an audience for ten minutes could rate as a vaudeville act. Here is regurgitator Hadji Ali -- not a clip for the feint of heart.
- Rosemarie became famous vaudeville's "The Singing Wonder Baby." She went on to fame in television's Dick Van Dyke Show and The Hollywood Squares.
- Gypsy Rose Lee offers a family friendly version of one of the intellectual strip tease routines that made her the most acclaimed stripper in burlesque.
- "Who's on First" is a routine by burlesque comics Abbott and Costello.
- "Niagra Falls" is a another classic burlesque skit. Abbott and Costello are joined by Errol Flynn.
7. Anatomy of a Hit: The Merry Widow
If time allows, treat yourself to one of the full length Merry Widow productions on Youtube or home video -- and if possible, experience it in the original German. I reccomend Die Lustige Witwe with Dagmar Schellenberger and Rodney Gilfrey in a 2004 Zurish Opera House production released on DVD by Arthaus Musik. This posting includes English subtitles.
Most English adaptations of the Widow lose much of the original charm. An exception is Sheldon Harnick's translation, which premiered at the San Diego Opera in 1977 with Beverly Sills and Alan Titus. A few highlights can be found on line:
- "Hanna's Entrance" performed by Beverly Sills
- The Act One Finale features the entire ensemble in a splendid example of how Lehar could use music to serve multiple storylines at once.
- "Vilja" performed by Beverly Sills.
- "The Merry Widow Waltz" performed by Beverly Sills and Alan Titus.