The Way of The Musical In Turbulent Times - Essay Example

The Way of The Musical In Turbulent Times There are many times in the history of the United s where turbulent times brought a need for ways torefocus the attention of the people towards something more pleasant. One way that has worked throughout time is musical theatre. Generally, each era of turbulence has shown a variety of musicals that dealt with the issues of that time. Some were done for the "feel good" quality to help audiences escape from the turmoil of the worlds problems for awhile. In other eras the musicals were more political and dealt with issues of protest using parody and sarcasm to get people to look at the political issues of the time. Within the last several years, as the country deals with a global economic crisis that is uncertain, musicals have become popular again as a vehicle of escape. This research will explore musical theatre and movies from 1920 to the present time. It will explore specific musicals and periods of history that produced a significant turbulent time and how these times effected and influenced the audiences. The Great Depression Although the examination of turbulent times could start much earlier, The Great Depression was one of the most devastating time periods for people around the world. Movies and theatres brought a way to escape for a period of time into someone elses dream or problems. It was a time when television had not been invented and radio shows were dramatic and interesting. It was a period that audiences were in need of fantasy, fun and entertainment: Throughout most of the Depression, Americans went assiduously, devotedly, almost compulsively, to the movies…the movies offered a chance to escape the cold, the heat and loneliness; they brought strangers together, rubbing elbows in the dark of movie palaces and fleapits, sharing in the one social event available to everyone (Historical Context, p. 1). Audiences during this time were fascinated by wealth and the glorious upbeat lives that they thought the wealthy lived. They lived through the fantasies that they saw on screen and this allowed them to escape to a different place where they did not have to worry about their own financial situation. Housewives were reading Society Pages and keeping up with the people in their own area. Looking at the wealthy created a "cultural escape…a safe battleground on which to explore serious issues like class under a comedic (and non-threatening) framework" (Historical Context, p. 1). At this same time, many people resented the fact that there were rich people while others were having financial problems. The Depression happened right after a decade of prosperity that took people through the Roaring 20s. The New York Stock Exchange crashed in 1929 and as the country moved into the 1930s Americans and the world would face an economy that had collapsed. Many people were unemployed because of plant closings or other problems with businesses and although President Hoover had promised "a chicken in every pot", he was not accepting that the Depression was ruining the country. In 1930, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his "New Deal" promised new jobs and he worked to set the country right. Many homeless people had been moved to large shelters called, "Hoovervilles" in order to wade out the depression (Feinstein, 2001, p. 9). As the Depression continued, a natural outflow was the almost frenzied obsession with wealth and get rich schemes. This was a time when the board game, "Monopoly" helped people live out their wealth fantasies. It was also a time when people became obsessed with a chain letter that promised to send them a multitude of dimes that would be equivalent to over $1,000 when it was finished getting to everyone (Feinstein, p. 16). Americans spent a lot of time with jigsaw puzzles as another type of escape and it was something the entire family could do together. This was the climate of this time and it shows how some people were able to deal with the turbulent times; the theatre and movies was another way. Hollywood Musicals In The Early Years During the Depression the average middle class family could not afford to pay high prices for theatre but they could spend the money for movies. They did not miss anything because the popular theatre productions were made into movies once the theatrical play closed or stopped touring. Hollywood was full of musicals that were made strictly for entertainment. They usually contained no plots and they were large musical extravaganzas with large opening numbers, plenty of beautiful women and a star or two. These types of musicals would dominate in the 1920s an early 1930s because people just wanted to be entertained. The musical comedies of the day gave them a great experience and they could spend time vicariously with something else to do. One of the most popular musicals during the time was "Top Hat." This movie was one of the first Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals. The basic story line is guy meets girl, pursues her and eventually marries her. Fred Astaires character falls in love with a woman he hardly knows and he woos her throughout the movie. He starts out by disturbing her sleep because he is dancing above her room. The movie is funny and it is interesting because it is full of musical numbers. The movie also keeps the audience engaged because the story line is not as important as the music and the dancing. "Top Hat" brought fourth many numbers that were singable tunes like, "The Piccolino", "Cheek to Cheek", and "Isnt This A Lovely Day." There was plenty of flash and dance, the set was beautiful and it was filmed in such a way that the audience could be in the center of the action. According to Feuer (1993) "Top Hat" was popular because it created a world on stage. In some of the final scenes they are actually riding down a canal similar to Venice and it is part of the set in a fancy hotel. "The performers are part of our world and were right up there on the screen" (Feuer, p.26). Irving Berlin did the music and each musical number was specifically done to fit Fred and Gingers talent (Green and Goldblatt, p. 100). This created a flow from one scene to another and from one dance number to the next song. It created a spectacular film from the beginning to the end so that people could walk out of the theatre happy, forgetting their troubles for at least a little while. For those who like Astaire it meant that they would watch him dance to every tune. The movie was made in 1935 which was the height of the Depression. The 1930s brought a return to musicals because of Darryl F. Zanuck who saw musicals as a way to "escape into the fantasy world where breadlines were replaced by chorus lines and money was made not by selling apples but by selling songs and dances on a mammoth theatre stage" (Sennett, 1981, p. 67). Selling apples on the street was one of the ways that some unemployed people were able to make enough money to feed their families. Off To See The Wizard (1939) "The Wizard of Oz" is one of the most loved classic movies and one that audiences watch time after time. When this researcher looked for the movie in the library there were seven holds on it. This is another feel good movie of the Depression Era coming between the end of it and before WWII. The major reason that people went to see this movie was that it would be the first time that many would see color on the big screen. The color process that was used was a three step Technicolor process not seen prior to this time. It was a difficult process and it is obsolete today (Film Reference, p. 1). Interviewing older people who saw the movie when it first showed revealed that many people asked for their money back when they saw that the first part of the film was in black and white. Those who stayed were awed by the beautiful color. Most generations have seen the movie at one time or another and most have probably seen it more than twice. The story line is simple. A young girl from Kansas longs to go on a journey away from the farm. In the United States unemployment was at 17.2% and it was declining slowly. The Depression was ending in some countries in Europe but the United Sates was still having problems. Many Americans were displaced because of the "Dust Bowl" in the Midwest (Streich, 2009). This was a time when people needed hope and the promise that life would get better. The "Wizard of Oz" gave people this hope and gave audiences something they could relate to in their own circumstances. Rural Kansas was part of the "Dust Bowl" and rural areas were hit hardest in terms of financial need. Mrs. Gulch owned the entire town at the beginning of the movie which was true of many areas across the country; one person owned the town and allowed other folks to live there as long as they paid for it. Dorothys wish to go over the rainbow and the accompanying song was full of emotion that at least some of the people in the audience were feeling. When Dorothy and Toto start on their journey Dorothy proves that through adversity she (and the audience) could still be resilient. She unwittingly kills the Wicked Withc of the East which sets the Munchkins free of the tyrant, selflessly takes three companions with her to help them fulfill their needs (even if her wish is not granted) and eventually overtakes the Wicked Witch of the West. Who can forget the lines of the Witch at the end of her time: "Oh, What a world, what a world. Who would have thought that some little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness" (Wizard of Oz, 1939). The message was clear for the audience that through resourcefulness, cunning and perseverance and the love of your family, anything is possible. Sennett (1981) states that one of the reasons "The Wizard of Oz" has survived is because "when Dorothy steps from black to white Kansas into the bright colors of Munchkin land she is taking everyones first voyage of discovery (p. 131)". As an audience watches, Dorothy becomes less naïve by learning about and facing evil, by conquering hardships with her three companions and by understanding that people can be fallible (as in the Wizard). Audiences were having to go through similar situations during this time so they were able to relate to Dorothy and perhaps garner their own strength in the process. In the theatre and movie productions of the 1930s each had similar themes. They were about feeling good, they provided an escape for the audience and they had at least one patriotic song, reference or gesture that said something about the war and/or patriotism. Musicals always survived turbulent times because writers and directors knew what audiences needed to survive their hardships. Musicals During WWII As the Great Depression eased and Americans began to have hope again, little did they now that another war would be on the way. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, it was clear that World War II was eminent. The 1940s brought several musicals that had war themes and racism or prejudice against certain groups because of the perception of their role in the conflict. Some of the musicals during this time were also about fun and entertainment but in a different way than in the 1930s. This was an era of many musicals by the team of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, Jr. Today their musicals are classics and loved by new and old audiences because of the singable tunes and their story lines. The first collaboration for this team was Oklahoma! which was based on the stage play "Green Grow the Lilacs." In 1943, Oklahoma! played to theatrical audiences and it was very well received. Most of the Rogers and Hammerstein plays dealt with injustices and prejudices during the time periods they portrayed but these situations related to situations that people were experiencing at the time. There were many "firsts" with Oklahoma! that moved away from the traditional musicals. As an example, it started with a single song and a single person instead of the large chorus numbers that prevailed in the big extravaganzas. It was about cowboys which was something that critics thought New Yorkers would not understand. It also had a plot and a series of musical numbers that had been used to advance the story. Usually musicals had music in them that had nothing to do with the plot. The show was so successful that it influenced other lyricists and composers by "establishing both a model and a standard for a new kind of musical play" (Jones, 2003, p. 140-141). Oklahoma! was so vastly different from everything that had come before it that people wanted more of it. In fact, it was such a hit that it played 2,248 times and lasted for 20 years (Jones, p. 141). The story line was easy and basic: Boy meets girl, courts her and wins her over but they are from two different backgrounds and must overcome the barriers. They work hard not to take sides in the process but their love is not without adversity. Choreographer Agnes De Mille also created the "dream ballet" which used a combination of ballet, pantomime and music to advance the drama. It was also used to "reveal the subconscious fears and desires of the lead characters as in Laureys psychologically accurate dream" (Jones, 143) about her fate if she married Jud Fry. The music was fun, the play had drama and a little danger. As an example, when one of the characters, Ado Annie laments that she "caint say no" to men who sweet talk her, the audience laughed at her although the type of women she was portrayed might have been risqué in a different setting. The play showed how people from different backgrounds (in this case cowmen v. farmers) could come together and find a common ground. Rogers and Hammerstein had a number o hits that came directly after Oklahoma! with Carousel, The King and I, and South Pacific later . Each of these spoke out about injustice, showed differences in class and upbringing and showed the turmoil that couples can go through when they choose to be different from the norm. In 1949 South Pacific was an important play because it tackled the issue of racism and prejudice. Historically it was during the time when the United States was still in turmoil and it was four years after they dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was a time when foreigners, especially those who "looked" Japanese were ridiculed and treated poorly. It was also a time when the Cold War was right around the corner (Whitley and Goldwin, 2008). South Pacific was the tale of two romantic relationships between two officers and island women. It explored interracial relationships at a time when this would have been a taboo subject. It also told the story of the "Seabees stationed on a Pacific Island" (Sennett, p. 286). The score was rich with beautiful songs like "Bali Hi" about the island where the white people did not venture to because they were often afraid of it and "Im Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" which went on to become classics later. Although South Pacific was not done until 1959, it has been shown many times since then. IT captures the prejudice in the comments from the men on the island and the taboo situations that would not enable an officer to marry an island girl and take her stateside with him; in both cases the men stayed on the island instead. This was a very patriotic film in the way it was presented. This play and others was part of the "musical drama" genera that worked during the 1940s to 1960s: …one of the hallmarks of musical drama is the importance of the storyline (one which could accommodate pathos, dramatic conflict, and even an occasional unhappy ending), its attention to situation and character, and the sharply integrative organization of its music, its singing and its dancing (Neale, 2000, p. 106). Most of the musicals continued to flourish even though there was a war and people were helping the war effort as best they could. Women were in the workforce for part of that time waiting for their men to come home and the country was saving scrap tin, steal, paper, and rubber to help the war leading into the 1950s. Soon, there would be the introduction of rock n roll, civil rights for blacks and many other historical situations that would sent the country into a different type of turmoil; still, the musicals continued to move forward. Moving Forward Into the 1960s and The Vietnam War There were many musicals during the 60s and 70s that created social impact for many people especially because of the Vietnam War. Although the war had been going on since 1950 it was not until later that they would actually enter the war. Many musicals during the 1950s were beginning to look to popular novels for material and many musicals were falling by the wayside. According to Mordden (2007) "The Miracle Worker was a very important stage production during the time (p. 310-311). Sennett stated that as the 50s came in the popularity of musicals was beginning to wane because of the popularity of television (Sennett, p. 237). Some of the musical styles went back to the song and dance entertainment with well known actors and actresses like Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. These stars were well known for entertaining well. An American in Paris, Bandwagon and Singin in the Rain were very popular. Each one of these returned to the viewing public the "feel good" musical traditions. Much of this was because some of the directors felt they needed large extravaganzas to lure people away from the television and back to theatre and movies. They added comedy and went back to the types of productions that people related to in the 1920s and 1930s. The world was changing and the public had a few years to relax before the Vietnam War. Singin in the Rain with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse made audiences wonder at the dancing. Not since Fred and Ginger had two people danced so fluidly together. The story line was "boy meets girl while boy rises to fame" which is a theme that would be continued in musicals later. Sennett states that the reason Singin In The Rain has lasted as a classic for all of these years is because: Singin in the Rain exudes confidence without cockiness, secure in its professionalism and…three decades after its release [it] remains a life enhancing film, imparting a sense of well-being that lingers long after the final shot (Sennett, p. 245). The 50s made many other musicals but they begin to be seen in the movies instead of the theatre because it was too expensive to produce them on stage. Turbulent Times: 1960s Through The Vietnam War The 1960s started changing the musical because they were not very expensive to produce. Most studios thought they had to make large productions so that people would leave their televisions to go to the movies (Sennett, p. 317). Other commentary states that this was a time when musical theatre flourished but the musicals had to change to reflect the time period. Instead of the flash and dance and the big extravaganzas, musicals moved into a more social content. Some critics said this was a time when musicals were "the highest quality every written" (Jones, p. 161). The social and political climate was changing rapidly. Americans were again moving into a fear based reality because of what was perceived as a possible nuclear war or a takeover by the communists (Jones, p. 163). People working in the Federal government were under scrutiny and their loyalty to the U.S. was questioned. President Truman issues directives to see whether or not people were loyal on a regular basis. This brought the United States into the Cold War which was between the United States and Russia. Many Americans began to feel isolated because of the paranoia that was rampant during this time. Some of the musicals like Silk Stockings and Lil Abner were created during this time. Lil Abner was silly but it did have a small message about Cold War Preparedness within it. As the nation moved through the Cold War, the late 50s and early 60s saw several situations that would change the way the nation looked at itself: The Civil Rights Movement, the entrance of and continuation of Rock n Roll and racism took center stage. One of the movies during this time was West Side Story a Romeo and Juliet type story. It was about the situation between the Puerto Ricans and the Italian immigrants in New York. It is staged with beautiful sets and the dancing is superb and audiences were faced with what can happen when two people of different backgrounds come together in tumultuous times. This theatre production had an unhappy ending and shows the audience what can happen when perceptions of other people get out of hand. At the height of the cold war it was time to look towards Vietnam because the US had already been sending troops over to help. They were now afraid that if they attacked North Vietnam it may create challenges between the US, the USSR and China. President Lyndon B. Johnson had to do something but he decided not to run again and the war was now under President Richard Nixon (Leuhausen, p. 3). A cease fire was issued in 1973 and troops began to leave Vietnam. During this time there were a lot of war movies but there was also the insurgence of a new kind of musical that was called the "rock musical." There have been many that have come after it. Bye Bye Birdie in 1960 and Hair in 1967 gave two different inferences to the Vietnam War. Bye Bye Birdie was loosely based on Elvis Presley and the week before he went into the service. Hair was about protesting the war and society. Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell (in 1970 and 1971 respectively) enter into the arena to show a "hippy version" of the last two weeks of Jesus journey interspersed with current day scenes. Grease débuted in 1972 which was about the 1950s and it was another "feel good" theatre production and movie. The Rocky Horror Show was a campy and fun theatre production and movie that is still popular today. Each of these movies and many more were geared towards helping to take peoples minds off of the horrors of war and possibly their current financial situations. Each had different audiences but they renewed the faith of people in something fun and enjoyable. All of these were considered rock musicals because the music had gone from fun and interesting to rock n roll. As it has been shown musicals have been a part of every era and they have followed along with the current political and cultural structures. Many have remained popular for several decades and others have fallen by the wayside. In each situation audiences have applauded each and every one and found a way to have the escape that was much needed. Current Day Musicals and The Economic Crisis The economic crisis of today is very much like the economic crisis during the Great Depression and they have many similarities. As an example, just as President Hoover ignored the Depression President Bush denied that the country was in a recession. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took over for President Hoover and pulled the country out of the Depression eventually, in a similar way that President Obama is trying to do now. During the last few years as the country has been faced with two wars and an economy on the verge of total collapse many people have had to rethink their priorities. With the uncertainty of jobs and with unemployment at an all time high, people are searching for their own answers and they are having to make changes to their lifestyles. Everyone has had to tighten their belts in a way as gas, food and utility prices fluctuate. The pressure of the economy is being felt all over the world. The country and the world has always been able to get through turbulent times by finding ways to move forward. Todays economy has brought out hundreds of "get rich quick schemes" just like in years past and people are always looking for a way to make more money to do the things they want to do. Making observations in the community, it is clear to see that many people are going back to the library or finding simple entertainment. They are open to new suggestions but many are still going to movies and of all the types of movies that survive, musicals still seem to be popular. One of the many reasons that musicals are still popular today is that they feature a way for people to get away from their troubles for awhile and be entertained. Although dramas are great and horror movies are sometimes good, musicals have an appeal that can be seen by all audiences. They are an opportunity for the family to get together when things are down and if people can use their creativity they can be sure to have snacks and tickets for less than a theatre ticket. Although movie tickets are more than they used to be, families are often able to afford them easier than taking their children to a play. Hollywood has responded to this by bringing many musicals from the stage to the movies so that all audiences can enjoy them. In fact, The Metropolitan Opera has brought major operas to the music screen like The Mikado and La Cenerentola are currently playing. Todays musicals are not that different from those in the past. As an example, one of the most popular series of musicals are the High School Musical 1-3 by Disney. During a time when the moral in the country has been down these musicals give not only children hope but also their families. The music is upbeat from the beginning, the choreography is as good as Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly movies and there is a message within each one. Although the movies take place in high school and many of the kids face the same challenges that any high school student faces, the movies bring the message that no matter what, you can always strive to be the best that you can be. One number that is particularly interesting is "Stick To The Status Quo." This is a song that is a parady of society and how everyone is afraid to step out and be themselves. It brings together the "jocks," "the brains", "the skateboarders" and others to show that not only do they have a part that they play in their group but they have a lot more to give. As an example, one of the star jocks bakes and one of the best skate boarders also plays the cello. These are things that kids have to deal with on a daily basis when they are different from other people but at the same time they have many things in common. The High School Musicals are alive and very "feel good" musicals. The songs are singable and they keep the audience engaged from beginning to end. Broadway in the last several years has also seen many revivals. Producers have found that people going to the theatre are more open to paying prices for plays they already know than those that they are not sure will be good ones. Musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King have had staying power because many people have seen them and enjoy seeing them more than once. Hairspray on Broadway gave way to a remake of Hairspray with John Travolta in the lead part of Tracys mother and Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle and Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle. The movie is fun but it also brings the drama to the stage and a social message about the civil rights movement. In light of the challenges that Mexican Americans have had in the United States this was a very poignant time for this movie to come out. West Side Story is also in a revival. One of the best loved musicals it has been on Broadway for awhile and continues to be one of the top musicals in the world. It is still the love story between two people of different races and what happens when perceptions get out of control. Again, it is a feel good movie that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end. The movie musical, Chicago was also a big hit because many people had already seen it on Broadway. It has enjoyed a very strong revival on the motion picture screen. Also, The Color Purple has been turned into a musical. This one was interesting because it went from a major novel, to the movies, and then to the stage as a musical. It is still playing to sold out audiences and it is now touring the country. The musical score is more gospel but it is full of fantastic voices and the music enhances what audiences have already seen on the motion picture screen. These are just some of the many musicals that people are still attending as the economic crisis in the country continues. People are finding that going to the theatre is still a way for them to escape for a little while and they can dress up or not, do a night out on the town and feel good about whatever play they go to see. Although audiences slowed in the 1960s audiences today are holding on to theatre. According to Healy (2009) "the appetite for plays and musicals is alive and well despite the recession" (p. 1). Many theatres are offering discounts during matinees or providing ways for people to have access to plays without paying the full price. As an example, The Jolla Playhouse in Los Angeles offers theatre goers a "pay what you can" price on three performances of a popular comedy called The Third Story. People must pay at least $1 but if they cannot afford the $42-$56 regular price they can still see the play (Margulies, 2008, p. 1). Although this is not a musical it is one of the ways that some theatres are helping people continue to see the newest plays available. The Reprise Theatre is also doing this and they specialize in revivals of musicals. Musicals always have a way of uplifting audiences and making them feel good. Some shows do better than others as it may be expected but everyone is brought together with music. Another way that many people are able to afford theatre is through the various community theatre groups. Although many of these are amateur actors many shows are full of brilliant and amazing talent. Small communities are finding that with advertising they are able to draw a crowd and it is often easier for theatre goers to attend a smaller theatre production and pay half the price that they would pay for a Broadway production. Conclusion As the American public and other nations try to recover from the economic crisis that has brought about businesses closing, houses being foreclosed upon and people losing their jobs, people have not lost sight of what makes them happy. Many are going to the theatre maybe not as much as they once did, but they are still going. Others are going to the movies. What both audiences have in common is their love of music, of theatre and of just feeling good. They have rediscovered board games, are looking for ways to turn cash into more cash and many are homeless and afraid. For those who can see past what their life looks like and take a little time out to have some fun, musicals still provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy life. An old saying states that you "only live once" and it is better to live life to the fullest if you can. With the opportunity to go to the library and rent as many movies as you can carry, the age of the musical will continue to grow. Perhaps this will be the new way that people see musicals eventually who cannot afford to go to a live play anymore. Hopefully new plays will continue and those that are tried and true to be successful will still make headway at the box office. References Feinstein, S. 2001. Decades of the 20th Century: The 1930s from the Great Depression to the Wizard of Oz. NJ: Enslow Publishers, Inc. Feuer, J. 1993. The Hollywood musical. Second Edition. Indiana: Indiana University Press. Gardner, E. and Gillum, J. 2008. Economy acting out on Broadway attendance. USA Today [WWW] URL: ,http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-11-03-economy-depression-recession_N.htm. [Accessed: 09 April 2009]. Goodwin, S. 1999. American Cultural History 1940-1949. [WWW] URL: < http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade40.html >. [Accessed 22 April 2009]. Green, S. and Goldblatt, B. 1973. Starring Fred Astaire. NY: Dodd, Mead & Co. Healy, P. 11 March 2009. "Broadway holds on, for now". The New York Times online. 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