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"The Crucible"
"The Crucible", playwright by Arthur Miller, was a popular play during this era. According to Cliff Notes, Miller bases the play on the historical account of the Salem witch trials. In particular he focuses on the discovery of several young girls and a slave playing in the woods, conjuring — or attempting to conjure — spirits from the dead" (Cliff Notes). This play had won a Pulitzer Prize! -
Miles White
Miles White has had a very successful career. He's a famous costume designer. According to "The New York Times", " He won Tony awards for the Harold Rome revue ''Bless You All'' in 1950 and Jule Styne's ''Hazel Flagg'' in 1953" (Gussow). Also, some of his costumes can be found in the museum's such as the Museum of Modern Art (Gussow). -
Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams was a famous American playwright. He first became interested in theater while he attended several colleges. He was an amazing playwright who had several successful plays. One of his successful plays was called "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" which had won a Pulitzer Prize (Britannica). -
Ford Foundation
According to the FordFoundation.org, "Beginning in 1957, the foundation invested in individual talent and professionalized the arts sector by providing support and training to organizations including the Dance Theatre of Harlem". (Ford Foundation). During the 50's, theatrical programs were struggling financially until the Ford Foundation gave these companies a huge grant in 1959.The decentralization in the U.S. came from individuals supported by private subsidy (Brockett et al). -
"The Sound of Music"
"The Sound of Music" was inspired by the book, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" according to "History". To summarize this musical, "The Sound of Music" states, "The musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun" (The Sound of Music). The movie had also won five Oscars! (The Sound of Music). Hannah Vine states that, "The Sound of Music" had ran for more than 1,443 performances! -
The first rock musical
The first rock musical on Broadway was "Bye Bye Birdie" in 1963. Also, this is " a spoof of Elvis Presley and rock and roll’s effect on small-town America, and its songs were more in the tradition of show music than rock and roll" (Greene). -
"Hair"
"Hair" is a very famous rock musical which had been nominated for Best Musical and Best Direction in 69'. This musical is about "hippies" living during the time of the Vietnam War. There were scenes of drug use, protesting, and nudity, which raised a bunch of controversy. However, this musical made a huge social statement (New York Film Academy). -
"A Chorus Line"
The very famous musical, "A Chorus Line" which is by Nicholas Dante and James Kirkwood Jr. had earned Tony Awards and was preformed at Broadway. (Brockett et al). This musicals description is quite incredible. "The Guide to Musical Theater" states, "The characters portrayed in 'A Chorus Line' are, for the most part, based upon the lives and experiences of Broadway dancers. This show is dedicated to anyone who has ever danced in a chorus or marched in step .. . anywhere." -
"Annie"
As most people know, the musical, "Annie" was a huge hit! This musical was about how a little orphaned girl (Annie) that is determined to find her family in the big city of New York! She eventually befriends billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, which later on, he ended up adopting her. This wonderful musical had won seven Tony Awards.(MTI shows). -
"Grease"
We all know that the 70's was considered the rock and roll era, but the musical "Grease" was a world wide famous musical! A quick summary of this musical starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John is about how two lovers who met on vacation find their way back to each other their senior year of high school. According to "Musicals 101", after opening in a theater in Manhattan, "Grease" moved to New York and was put on Broadway and became the most successful rock musical in that decade!