MUSICAL THEATER IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
FALL 2000
PROFESSOR ALLEN WOLL





Dr. A. Woll, Robeson Library 298
Phone:  225-6671
awoll@camden.rutgers.edu

Required Books:

Wilk, Overture and Finale
Rosenberg, Fascinating Rhythm
Secrest, Stephen Sondheim
Bergreen, As Thousands Cheer

And, Whitfield, In Search of American Jewish Culture  (on e-reserve)

Various articles will be handed out each week for discussion as well.

For reference information, click here:   Reference Works, Books, and Internet Resources.



In order to hear the audio files for this class, you will need to have real player on your computer.  If you do not have it, click below, follow the instructions for the basic player, and download it.



 
September 6:

Introduction

Audio Assignment #1  (a continuing assignment to be completed during the semester)
 

September 13: 

Origins of the musical
 

 Library Session
   Gerald Mast, Can’t Help Singin’, Chs. 1-6
 

Audio Assignment #2

(Currently inactive)

September 20: 

Pioneers
· George M. Cohan
· Flo Ziegfeld  (The Ziegfeld Touch)
· Will Marion Cook (Black Musical Theater)*
· Eubie Blake (Reminiscing With Sissle and Blake)*

Stephen Whitfield, (e-reserve)
A. Woll, Black Musical Theater (Xerox)
 

*Note interviews on American Popular Song, audio assignment #1 above.

9/27  Irving Berlin and American Music

   Writing Assignment #1 Due

   Bergreen, As Thousands Cheer, Parts: 1 & 2

Audio Assignment #3
 


10/4  The Musical:  An Escapist Form?
  • Show Boat
  • As Thousands Cheer
  • The Cradle Will Rock
  • Pins and Needles
Gerald Mast, Can’t Help Singin’, Chs. 7-9

Audio Assignment #4
 


10/11  The Gershwins

Writing Assignment #2 Due
Audio Assignment #5
 

   Deena Rosenberg, Fascinating Rhythm, entire

· Porgy and Bess
· Of Thee I Sing

 


10/18  RAGS  (Cost $10—Walnut Street Theater)

   Gerald Mast, Can’t Help Singin’, Chs. 10-13

    Audio assignment #6

 


10/25  Oklahoma
   Critique of Rags due
   Wilk, Overture and Finale, entire

· Rodgers and Hammerstein
· Agnes De Mille
· The Theatre Guild

 


11/1  The Lyricists

· Philip Furia, The Poets of Tin Pan Alley
· Lehman Engel, Their Words are Music
· Cole Porter, The Complete Lyrics of
· Alan Jay Lerner, (The Street Where I Live)
· Lorenz Hart, The Complete Lyrics of…
· Ira Gershwin, Lyrics on Several Occasions
· Oscar Hammerstein II, Lyrics by…

Complete  Bergreen, As Thousands Cheer

Audio assignment #7
 

11/8 & 11/15 &11/29

The Shows (1950-1999):  Student Presentations 

· Pajama Game (1954)
· My Fair Lady (1956)
· The Most Happy Fella (1956)
· Candide (1956 + revivals)

· How To Succeed in Business (1961)
· Fiddler on the Roof (1964) 
· Hello Dolly (1964)

· Chorus Line (1975)
· Chicago (+ revival:  Encore Series) (1975)
· Evita (1979)
· Sweeney Todd (1979)

· La Cage Aux Folles (1983)

· Rent (1996)
· Lion King (1997)
· Ragtime (1998)

Gerald Mast, Can’t Help Singin’, Chs. 14-18
 

12/6  Stephen Sondheim
   Secrest, Stephen Sondheim (entire)
   Viewing on tape:  Sunday in the Park With George or
      Into the Woods

· West Side Story (1957)
· Company (1970)
· Follies (1971)
 

12/13  Finale

   Writing Assignment #3 Due
 



GRADES:

1. Each paper will be worth 100 points (or 400 total).

2. The class presentation grade will be 150 points.  (This is separate from class participation)

3. The class participation grade for the semester will be 150 points.  (The class participation grade assumes that all assignments are completed on time, and the student is prepared to offer intelligent and thoughtful discussion on the matter at hand.)

Thus, your total grade will be based on 700 points.  (90%=A; 88% B+; 80%=B; 78% = C+; 70% = C; 60% = D)

You are expected to attend each session and be prepared to discuss the material.  While you are allowed ONE absence, each succeeding absence will cause a 30 point reduction in your class participation grade.


Audio assignments will be posted weekly.